Father John BoscoTHREE LETTERS TO THE SALESIANS IN
CRITICAL EDITION: F. MOTTO - TRANSLATION & NOTES:
P. LAWS
INTRODUCTION
As was
noted in the Introduction to the Letter From Rome, Don Bosco's comments
were directed at very real problems at Valdocco. These three letters have a
comparable history.
The Salesians arrived in
TEXT
1. TO
BISHOP JOHN CAGLIERO
Dear
Bishop Cagliero,
Your
letter has given me great pleasure, and although my eyesight has become very
weak, I wanted to read it myself from beginning to end, despite that
handwriting of yours, which you say you got from me, but which has degenerated
from its original form.
When you write to the Propagation of the Faith and the Work
of the Holy Childhood be mindful of all that the Salesians have done at various
times. I understand you have with you the pro-formas that you should make use
of in setting our affairs out before their respective Presidents, who are quite
happy to receive letters in Italian, whenever there is any difficulty with
writing in French. If one does not suffice, write several letters concerning
the travels of Fr Fagnano, Fr Milanesio, Fr Beauvoir, etc. In particular note
(the number of) those baptised, confirmed, instructed, given shelter, now or in
the past. I am of the opinion that in setting things out for Propaganda, you
should cover everything, but in general. For the Propagation of the Faith,
travels, trade, discoveries; for the Holy Childhood say in detail the sorts of
things that might interest boys and girls, the Sisters, or the Salesians.
If by chance you do not have exemplars for setting out these
reports, let me know, and we will send them to you. There is real good will in
wanting to help you. However it is good that at this end I should be aware, at
least in general terms, of whatever you write from there, since I could be
asked questions at any time.
Regarding the matter of the Coadjutor Bishops, I need a
positive proposal, and at this stage I am hoping to achieve something. The
formalities for getting a Cardinal's Hat for the Archbishop were well-advanced
under Cardinal Nina, but now unfortunately for us he has passed into eternal
life. I have tested other waters, and I'll let you know in due course.
I am preparing a letter for Fr Costamagna, and for your
guidance I will particularly touch on the Salesian Spirit we want to introduce
into our houses in
Charity, patience, gentleness - never degrading rebukes,
punishments never - do good to those you can, evil to no one. This holds for
the Salesians among themselves, with their students and others, those who live
with us, and outsiders. In dealing with our Sisters have great patience, but be
strict in the matter of the observance of their Rules.
In general then, although things are tight here, we will
make every sacrifice to come to your aid. But urge everyone to avoid putting up
buildings or acquiring property that is not strictly necessary for our use.
Never buy things with a view to reselling them: neither fields or land or
buildings with a view to financial profit.
Try to help us this way. Do what you can to get vocations
whether for the Sisters or for the Salesians, but do not take on too many
works. Those who want too much achieve little and waste much.
When you have cause to speak to the Archbishop, or to
Tell my niece Rosina to take great care of her health, and
that she take great care not to go to heaven alone. She should go, of course,
but accompanied by the many souls she has saved.
God bless all our Salesian sons, our sisters the Daughters
of Mary Help of Christians. May he grant them all health, holiness, and
perseverance along the road to Heaven.
We will pray for all of you morning and evening at Our
Lady's altar. You too, pray for this poor, half-blind man who will always be
yours in Jesus Christ.
Your
loving friend,
Fr John
Bosco.
P.S. A
countless multitude of people want to be remembered to you, and to pay their
respects.
2. TO FR JAMES COSTAMAGNA
My dear
and always beloved Fr Costamagna,
The time
for our annual retreats is approaching, and in my declining years, I would like
to have with me all my sons and our sisters in
Before anything else we ought to bless and thank the Lord
who in his wisdom and power has helped us overcome many great difficulties,
which we could never have done on our own. Te Deum, Ave Maria, etc
Furthermore, I myself would like to give a sermon, or better
a talk, on the Salesian Spirit which ought to inspire and guide our actions,
and every word we say. The Preventive System should be truly ours. Never
punishments for their own sake, never humiliating words, no severe
dressings-down in the presence of others. Instead, in the classrooms gentle,
kind, patient words should be heard. Never biting words, never a blow, heavy or
light. Use should be made of negative punishments, and always in a way that
those who have been warned become our friends more than ever, and never leave
us cast down.
There should be no grumbling against the decisions of the
Superiors; instead we should put up with things not to our liking, or things
that give us grief, or displease us. Every Salesian should become each one's
friend, and should never seek revenge. He should be quick to forgive and to
forget the things he has forgiven.
The orders of the Superiors should never be put down, and
everyone should strive to give good example, and encourage the giving of it.
Every one should be urged - and it should be a constant recommendation - to
promote religious vocations whether to the Sisters, or to the Salesians.
Gentleness in speaking, in acting, in giving advice will win
over everyone and everything.
This will be the line you and the others who will share the
preaching of the forthcoming retreats will follow.
Give everybody much freedom, show them much confidence. Any
one wanting to write to his
As far as it lies in my power, I hope to leave the
Congregation without discomfiture. Therefore I have it in mind to appoint a
Vicar General who would be an alter ego for Europe, and another for
America. But you will receive instructions in this matter in due course.
From time to time during the year, it would be very
appropriate for you to call a meeting of the Rectors of the Province to put to
them the guide-lines set out above. Read, and encourage the reading and the
understanding, of our Rules, in particular the chapter dealing with the regular
prayers, the introduction that I have written to these same Rules, and the
deliberations taken at our General and local Chapters.
You can see that my words might require a lot of explanation
but you are certainly capable of understanding them, and where necessary
explaining them to our confreres.
As soon as you can, go and see the Archbishop, Mgr Espinosa,
the Vicars General, Mr Carranza, Rev. Dr Terrero, and our other friends, and
greet each and all humbly and respectfully, as if I were speaking personally to
each one.
God bless you, dear Fr Costamagna, and with you may He bless
and keep in good health all our confreres and Sisters. And may Mary, Help of
Christians guide us always along the road to heaven. Amen.
All of
you pray for me.
Your
loving friend in Jesus Christ,
Fr John
Bosco.
Turin,
August 10, '85.
3. TO FR
DOMINIC TOMATIS
My dear
Fr Tomatis,
Since I
rarely get letters from you, I must suppose you to be very busy, and I believe
it. But letting your dear Don Bosco know how you are getting on surely merits
being one of the matters you should not overlook. You will ask, "What
should I write about?" Tell me about the state of your health, and that of
your confreres; whether the Rules of the Congregation are faithfully observed;
whether the monthly Exercise for a Happy Death is made, and how well; how many
pupils you have, and what hopes you hold for their success. Do you do anything
to cultivate vocations, do you have any hopes in this regard? Is Mgr.
Ceccarelli always a friend to the Salesians? I am looking forward with great
pleasure to your replies to these matters.
Given that my life is racing at speed to its conclusion, so
things I want to write to you in this letter are those I would want to
recommend to you in the last days of my earthly exile, that is, my testament to
you.
Dear Fr Tomatis, keep firmly in mind that you became a
Salesian to save your soul. To all our confreres preach and recommend the same
truth. Remember it is not enough to know things, they must be put into
practice. May God help us so that the Lord's words, "They speak, but they
do nothing" not be addressed to us.
Try to see the things that concern you with your own eyes.
When some one is lacking, or negligent, warn him promptly, without waiting for
evils to multiply.
Through your exemplary manner of life, by your charity in
speaking, in giving orders, in putting up with the defects of others, many will
be won over to the Congregation.
Constantly recommend attendance at the sacraments of
Confession and Communion.
The virtues that will make you happy in time and in eternity
are humility and charity.
Always be a friend and father to our confreres. Help them in
every way you can both in spiritual and secular matters. Know how to make use
of them for every thing that will bring glory to God.
Each of the thoughts expressed on this page need something
of an explanation. You can do this on your own behalf, and for others.
God bless you, my ever-dear Fr Tomatis. Give my warmest
greetings to all our confreres, friends and benefactors. Tell them I pray for
them every morning during the Holy Mass, and that I humbly commend myself to
the prayers of all.
God grant we might be able to see each other again in this
mortal exile, but that in any case we might one day praise the holy name of
Jesus and of Mary in a blessed eternity. Amen.
Before long I will write to you, or have others write, on
matters of some importance.
May Mary keep us safe and guide us along the path to heaven.
Amen
Yours
affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr John
Bosco.
Mathi,
