To Miss Claire Louvet, France

E IX, 4130

Thanks for the gift and best wishes — he is unable to travel — keep up the good work even though the farming crisis in France is hitting hard — he suggests the amount her father could leave to the Salesian Congregation in his will.

Turin, 20 December 1884

Dear Miss,

While I was writing my letter to wish you happy holidays, you beat me to it with your generous donation of 300 francs. May God richly reward your prayers, your good wishes, and your charity.

In order to show our gratitude, we will say prayers according to your intentions during this novena. Our boys will also say prayers and receive Communion, and I will offer the sacrifice of Holy Mass on Christmas Day.

My health has improved a lot, but I am not sure about taking a trip in the spring to Lille. Let us see.

Don’t let the agricultural crisis get you down. If your income decreases, will you decrease your charitable works, or rather increase them, consume your capital, become poor like Job, and then be as holy as Saint Teresa?

Never. God assures us a hundredfold on earth, so give and you will receive!

Be generous and patient with the farmers. God is all powerful. God is your Father, God will provide everything you need for yourselves and for them.

With regard to the sum of money for your father’s family, it is difficult to determine an amount in the current crisis. I would say leave the sum of 30,000 francs in the will. You will only need to make a note in the will. But I hope that God will allow us to talk to each other personally, to understand each other and to decide on the best course of action.

Please tell Father Engrand that I have not forgotten him and that the whole house will pray for him, and in a special way for you, for your parents, your friends, your business, for the present and for eternity.

Please pray for your poor Don Bosco who will always be in Our Lord

your humble servant

Fr J. Bosco