A letter to the Marquis Michael Benso di Cavour¹

Your Excellency,

The role which Your Excellency plays in everything to do with the public good, both civil and moral, leads me to hope that you will welcome some information concerning our catechism program. Since its purpose is the good of young people, you yourself have shown favour and support for it on a number of occasions.

This catechism program began three years ago in the Church of St Francis of Assisi and, since the Lord blesses his own work, young people attended in grater number than the place could accommodate. Then in 1844, for reasons of employment, I established myself at the Pia Opera del Rifugio [the charitable work named after Our Lady of Refuge, or more simply known just as 'The Refuge'] and these good young people continued coming there for religious instruction. It was precisely at that time that Rev. (Dr) Borelli and Rev. Fr Pacchiotti and myself presented a petition to the Archbishop, who then authorised us to convert our room into an Oratory where we could teach catechism, hear confessions, celebrate Mass for the above-mentioned youngsters.

But since their number grew and they could no longer fit in there, we put the issue to our illustrious City authorities and they authorised us to relocate our catechism classes to St Martin's Chapel at the city mills. Lots of youngsters turned up there; at times more than two hundred and fifty of them.

But the City authorities asked us to relocate our catechism program elsewhere, come January, without offering us a reason. This was a serious dilemma for us, since to have to abandon the good work we had begun seemed such a pity. Only his Excellency, Count Collegno, after speaking with you, gave us the courage to continue.

During the winter we carried on using our own room and some other rooms we rented. Finally, this week we negotiated a site with Mr Pinardi. We agreed on the sum of two hundred and eighty francs for a large room which we can use for the Oratory plus another two rooms with some adjacent land. This place seems convenient to us, because it is very close to The Refuge and also because it is far from any Church but close to some homes. It remains for you to indicate that this is acceptable for the neighbourhood and the wider community.

The purpose of this catechism program is to gather young people on weekends and holy days who, left to their own devices, would not attend any Church for instruction. We do this by encouraging them to be good through our words, promises, gifts and the like. Our teaching is limited simply to this: 1. Love for work, 2. Frequenting the holy Sacraments, 3. Respect for all their superiors, 4. Flight from bad companions.

These principles which we make every effort to inculcate in the hearts of the young have produced marvellous results. In the space of three years more than twenty have embraced the religious state, six are studying Latin so they can undertake an ecclesiastical career, many others who now have better sentiments go to their respective parishes. This is noteworthy given the quality of these boys, most of them between ten and sixteen years of age, without any religious or educational background and most of them prey to vice and at risk of being cause for public complaint or being placed in a place of correction.

You are good-hearted and love whatever can redound to the public good, civil and moral. Hence we ask you to protect our efforts which, as can be well seen, have no shadow of material gain in mind but only gaining souls for the Lord.

The costs involved in finding and setting up the place indicated have been considerable. Count Collegno, gratefully mentioned above, has offered to help us and gave us permission to put our case to Your Excellency. He indicated he would then explain the matter to you in detail. Whenever you should wish to speak with me and my colleagues, we are ready at the slightest indication. It is our most eager wish.

And in asking you to look kindly on the liberty I have taken, I wish you everything that is good from the Lord and regard it as the greatest honour that I can express my esteem and profound respect.

Your Excellency's most humble and obliged servant

Fr John Bosco

Spiritual Director at the Refuge.

Turin, 13 March 1846.

Reply.

I have spoken with his Excellency the Archbishop, and with Count Colegno saying that there is no doubt that a catechism program is of advantage and that I will gladly speak with Fr Bosco on Monday 30th at the Office at 2 p.m.

28 March

Benso di Cavour.²