To the Rector of the college at Mirabello, Fr Giovanni Bonetti

E I, 1262

Thanks him for the donation sent to him – Christmas gift for the Salesians and the pupils of the minor seminary

Turin, 30 December 1868

My dear Fr Bonetti,

Thanks for the good New Year [gift]. It is ideal for paying off the house debt. Thanks also to Fr Provera. Now let’s move on to the strenna [a New Year gift or message].

You and Fr Provera are always to tell each other your faults without ever offending each other.

For the Society: save on travel and, as far as possible, avoid going home to visit relatives. Rodriguez has some wonderful material on this subject.

To the boys: they are to promote frequent communion and devotion to the Blessed Virgin through their works and words.

Three topics for those who preach:

1. Avoid bad conversations and reading material.

2. Avoid distracted companions or those who give bad advice.

3. Flee idleness and do everything that can contribute to preserving the holy virtue of modesty.

As for yourself, see everything, talk to everyone, and the Lord’s goodness will do the rest.

All good things to you and to the entire Mirambella family: Amen.

Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ

Fr J. Bosco

P.S. The Prefect of Studies should promote membership of the Biblioteca italiana [Library of Italian literature]