29 JANUARY

How the piety of Don Bosco permeated the entire Oratory! He began on December 8, 1841 with just one boy. And before the lesson started -the first lesson of Catechism -he fell on his knees and recited a Hail Mary to Our Lady in order that she might help him to save the soul of that poor lad. Surely, that was a prayer, heartfelt and fruitful! On December 8, 1885 as he spoke to his Co-operators on what had then been done and on the conditions of the work forty five years earlier, he declared that it was all the work of Mary help of Christians on account of that Hail Mary "said with fervor and earnestness". The first effects of it were not long in manifesting themselves. The following Sunday Don Bosco's lone pupil returned but not alone, for he brought with him a crowd of pals, poor street urchins like himself, who were received and treated by Don Bosco in his enchanting manner. As Sunday followed Sunday the number of boys grew and with the number grew goodness and mirth too. At Christmas a few of them were able to make their first Holy Communion. On the two feasts of our Lady that next came round the Presentation and the Annunciation, the praises of the august Mother of God were sung by youthful voices trained by the able Don Bosco into a choir; and besides, scores of the more interested boys approached the sacraments. Don Bosco was thoroughly happy. 

These boisterous gatherings were held in a place of quiet, if not a monastery exactly, but the quiet was broken only at stated times with moderation. That place of quiet was the Ecclesiastical College of Turin, the Convitto, where the finishing touches of sacerdotal formation were given to the newly-ordained Piedmontese priests, by means of a deeper study of moral and pastoral theology and by exercising the sacred ministry under the guidance of capable men -Fr. Joseph Cafasso among them. The zealous apostle of youth could have found no better place for preparing himself for his mission. The three years spent there helped immensely to form his spirit in a very definite manner. The grace which Divine Providence bestowed on him by placing him alongside that holy moulder of priestly souls did not remain fruitless. At the School of St Joseph Cafasso Don Bosco avidly imbibed that piety, which by supernatural intuition he had already foretasted in spite of the customs of the day. A piety that meant unlimited trust in God's goodness and love for us." He learned, too, from the holy man's theological conferences and spiritual direction how to hear confessions. Our saint heard insistently repeated that the pulpit was not a stage for showing off one's talents, but rather for telling the world "there is a heaven; observe the commandments; pray; be devout to Mary; frequent the sacraments; flee from idleness, bad company, and dangerous occasions; love your neighbor; be patient in affliction" and no sermon should end without referring to these Eternal Maxims. 

28 JANUARY

The seminary of the archdiocese of Turin was then at Chieri and Don Bosco went there on October 30, 1835, when he was twenty years old. As he was a ready and keen observer, the young cleric very soon had an exact idea of his duties. The practices of piety were always his earnest inquiry. Here every arrangement was all right for daily Mass, meditation, and rosary, and even for weekly confession. But however arrangements were not quite satisfactory for Communion which could only be received on Sundays and special feast days. To go at any other time during the week one had to commit an act of disobedience. During the breakfast hour cleric Bosco had to make his way to a nearby church and when his thanksgiving was over, there was just sufficient time left to join his companions in going to study and class. On these occasions therefore he had to remain fasting until dinnertime. The infraction of the rule could have been justly prohibited. The superiors however gave their tacit consent. They knew very well that such a thing was going on and very often they saw him, but they said nothing. In this way he was able to frequent Holy Communion whenever he liked and this, he declared, was the most efficacious instrument for his vocation.

Nourished by this Bread of Angels John's ecclesiastical spirit was formed under the sweet influence of his devotion to the Blessed Virgin. The last words of his mother before he had entered the seminary were deeply etched in his mind and heart. Although she was an illiterate woman she possessed in an eminent degree that "'sensus Christi" (Christian Sense) which is found in simple souls. This may be surprising to profane minds but not so to those who know what the gifts of the Holy Spirit are. John received from his mother this great admonition: "When you were born I consecrated you to the Blessed Virgin; when you began your studies I recommended you devotion to Mary our heavenly Mother. Now I beg you to be totally hers, love your fellow students who are devout to her and if you ever become a priest, spread around you devotion to Mary." 

He never forgot this fond advice; he always endeavored to associate with companions who were devotees of Mary and lovers of study and piety. Several of his companions who survived him on this earth attest to his irresistible invitations to follow him to Church in order to recite there the Vespers of the Madonna or other prayers in her honor; some of those friends testify to his fervor in translating and exemplifying the liturgical hymns of Our Lady and to his singing her glories and relating edifying stories during the hours of recreation. Whilst still a student of philosophy he esteemed it a privilege to mount the pulpit and give a sermon on Our Lady of the Rosary. This was the beginning of many a Marian discourse which were his delight right up to his death. 

27 JANUARY

All the wonderful works done by our saintly Father and Founder find their natural explanation in his deep humility. Don Bosco believed himself a nothing but felt himself strong with the power of God and the favor of Our Lady help of Christians. That is why he could surmount obstacles of any kind and carry out the very idea of that earned for him the title of mad man from those who did not know well the ways of God. His Lordship Bishop Rosaz of Susa asserted once: "we must say indeed that Don Bosco has the virtue of humility in an extraordinary degree since God makes use of him for such portentous works." 

Here is Don Bosco himself: "If our Lord had found a more unfit instrument than me for the accomplishment of His works and provided it would be disposed to abandon itself to His Divine Providence, He would have chosen it instead of me and would have been better served than by me and would have worked still more wonders." (BM VIII, 977)  

Humbly he would exclaim whenever he had to speak of his virtues and works: "let us not insult God and Our Lady Help of Christians,. II that affair came out well, if our activities are advancing, we owe it all to God and His Holy Mother. We are ungrateful if we attribute to ourselves the success of any undertaking and we make ourselves unworthy of the help of God." Another witness we cite is the venerated Cardinal Cagliero: "Don Bosco possessed the virtue of humility and practiced it to an eminent degree. He felt and spoke lowly of himself and willingly embraced humiliations. He was wont to recount the humble condition of his family; how he had to gain his livelihood by the sweat of his brow, how through a thousand difficulties he was able to finish his studies with the help of beneficent people, especially Fr. Cafasso. He spoke of all this with a relish and delight as if it were a glory and a family ambition, so much so that he etched deep in our hearts a great love for this virtue preached and practiced by Jesus himself." (BM IV, 654) 

Take a good look at the examples of our holy Founder and strive to strive to develop in yourselves a great love for the virtue of humility. Make efforts to acquire this to a great degree. 

"When, through his failings, a man humbles himself, then he easily please others and satisfies those who are angry with him. God protects the humble man and delivers him. He loves and consoles him; He bends down towards him; He bestows His bounty on him; and after the humiliation He lifts him up to glory. To the humble man He reveals His secrets and sweetly inviting him draws him to Himself. The humble man is in a great peace amidst trouble, because he leans on God and not on the world. Never think that you have made any progress until you feel the desire to be lower than others." (Imitation Bk. II Ch 2) 

26 JANUARY

This scene that used to take place every day after lunch and especially after supper from the beginning of the boarding till about 1870 was a touching one and it was only occasionally prevented by the presence of some illustrious guests in the Superiors' refectory. There was an underground hall, long and low, with one single row of tables in the centre. As soon as the boys marched out from their refectory they would flock at the entrance of the Superiors' refectory. They would wait until the brothers had finished their grace and as soon as they heard the "Deus det nobis suam pacem. Amen" (A common sign in those days to begin/end the meal after the grace which when translated meant 'May God give us His peace). There would be a clash of tides. The boys wanted to come in and the brothers wanted to go out. But after some time the boys would carry the day and would run vying with one another to be the first to approach Don Bosco who was sitting at the far end of the hall. The brothers were forced to lean against the walls and let the stream pass away trying hard not be dragged along. Then an unforgettable scene would take place. The most fortunate were already surrounding Don Bosco, their heads rubbing his shoulders. Behind him there was a wall of cheerful faces in a happy background. Meanwhile the tables cleared already, were being stormed by another wave of boys., The table in front of Don Bosco would soon be occupied by boys squatting in oriental fashion. Behind them many others were kneeling and finally a crowd of boys would be standing –always on the tables. Those who could not climb the tables would take the benches push them back to the walls and step on them. The final outcome of it was a long row of lively eyes gazing intently at Don Bosco. Latecomers had to fill any room available between benches and tables. One would say that it was then impossible to reach Don Bosco. Yet some little ones would try their luck. They would crawl under the tables and you would suddenly see their little heads stick out from underneath and Don Bosco would bend gently to caress them. - Often Don Bosco would arrive late in the refectory having been kept back at his desk by some urgent work. Then though he had barely taken a mouthful, he would welcome that youthful stream and would finish his frugal repast deafened by their singing and shouting. In that atmosphere breathed by so many lungs, that even the oil lamp could hardly be kept alive. He would address an encouraging word to one, affable looks at others, and I lovingly smile on all. He never showed any sign of impatience for the importunity of his children but would rather be sorry when the presence of some unexpected visitor came to deprive him of the sweetness of those familiar gatherings. -If he wanted to speak to all of them at sign from him, the din would stop and amidst the profoundest silence he would tell them some story or put some question, propose some quip, until the bell would dissolve the meeting calling the boys to singing class or to night prayer. The confidence of his boys was not hampered by the continual vigilance of Don Bosco. Indeed his vigilance was dearer to them than that of the other assistants. 

25 JANUARY

To his collaborators Don Bosco would insistently recommend a thorough assistance of the boys because "to imagine that human weakness could be completely warded off from the Oratory would be tantamount to underrating human nature." He would preach with his example. He would watch as a constant sentry -with prudence though -to prevent evil from coming to or taking root in his house. In the first 20 years of the Oratory Don Bosco would be everywhere when least excepted: in the dormitories, in the workshops, in the school rooms, in the refectory, in the less frequented places. He would take notice of the minutest things; he wanted to know and to see everything. 

Two boys after lunch would lag behind the community and remain alone in the refectory turning the pages of the reading book. They might be very good but the loving voice of Don Bosco would instantly call to them.

Some boys would gather together away from everybody in order to frame some project, plan a picnic, or set up a game. Don Bosco would unexpectedly arrive and ask them: "what are you doing here? Go and play with the other boys."

A boy might walk along holding the hand of a classmate or resting his arm on his shoulder. Don Bosco would approach him and would jokingly and gently strike his arm or his fingers adding: "don't you know the rule of touch?

One day he saw a boy in the playground arm in arm with an acquiescent assistant. Don Bosco waited and when the brother was alone called him and said: " today I had a strong temptation to give you two slaps in public. Have you understood?" -"Yes Father" -"Then this will do. Be careful, eh?" 

On this point Don Bosco was most delicate.

In many instances his vigilance seemed to be enlightened from on high. Often whilst being busy at his desk, or praying in Church, or speaking with boys, or even at meals time Don Bosco would call someone of the seniors and tell him secretly: "go to such and such dormitory. There are three boys" - He would quote their names. - "They have locked themselves in and are reading objectionable papers. Tell them to clear out" At other times he would call a sensible boy and tell him: "run and tell brother assistant that in such and such a place, there are some boys hiding behind the portico. Let him drive them out" At other times he would tell brother: "run upstairs and you will find so and so. Tell them that Don Bosco knows everything." -These facts were not rare and Don Bosco turned out to be always right He played the part of the guardian angel to his boys. He closely copied the discretion and patience of the heavenly spirit He would explain his unexpected appearing so naturally. He would proceed with such bounty and simplicity and would show unfailing affection and esteem towards all without exception. He would so completely forget the once forgiven faults, that the other boys would not have any mistrust towards him. Indeed as soon as he appeared in any part of the house, everybody would run to meet him.

 What One Can Say About Him

(A reflection on St. Francis de Sales)

Francis de Sales is a person simple and complex at one and the same time. The variety of areas we could dwell on would not do justice to anyone in particular. Everything is interwoven like a beautiful tapestry. Taking therefore some aspects we hope to throw light on some others as well. 

1. As a man of letters he found it necessary to study so that he could be of service to his neighbor. We can see this lived out as he founded, together with Antonio Favre the Academy of Florimontana in the winter of 1606-1607. He had some very pertinent advice for the priests of his diocese: "I exhort you to study with diligence so that you will be inspired to live good and blameless lives and so that you will be able to answer questions of faith and morals". 

2. As a Writer, he never taught people to write books but to give oneself completely for the other through his writings without any bias or prejudice. Francis only wrote so that others would benefit not for gain or fame. Towards the end of his life, when his strength failed him he said he would write only for the glory of God and for the salvation of souls. 

3. As a Missionary, he taught by his life never to be reluctant to preach the Word of God. We know his zeal in the 'Chablais' and the number of times he risked his life for this dangerous mission of preaching. It is not for nothing that he has merited the title of patron of journalist and workers in social communication by Pius XI. His availability to preach in every situation and at any occasion was something admirable. He seemed always prepared. Special mention needs to be made of his love for Catechism and the method he used for both the young and the old. His directives of 1603 are valid today in the twentieth century. 

4. As a Spiritual Director he was known to respect an individual and never did he allow an individual to be indebted to him; to believe in the power of love that draws souls to us and to allow Him to work in them. He was not preoccupied with the results of his spiritual direction because they were in the hands of God. It is only our pride that wants us to take stock of the directee's progress. It is not that we 'direct' souls but that we win sisters and brothers for Christ. All who encountered him felt this. Many sought his advice and spiritual direction. Francis said that one should not give advice that one cannot practice. Already as a Bishop he heard and made his confession the cathedral. Francis understood that so many were suffering in spirit. The intervention of God was the strength of St Francis de Sales as a spiritual director. This allowed him to see the wonders the Spirit worked in souls. -But of all the qualities that characterized him as a spiritual director was his ability to read souls. This always happened when people came in contact with him. He radiated encouragement and serenity and the gentleness of Christ  

5. As a founder he learnt a lot He had great consideration for women. He strove to make them self-dependent He wanted them to become mature. He gathered a group and made them make promises to seek always the good of the neighbor. He wanted them to have a deep love of God, to suffer with serenity and joy and to find the means to support themselves. In all his initiatives sublime charity reigned. Francis accepted to transform his 'little congregation' into a monastic order in order not to encounter scandal during his time. 

Let us sustain little initiatives and be ready to meet with difficulties so as to allow the Spirit of God to rule our lives. 

Adapted from the Monastery of the Visitation of Moncalieri

Feast of St. Francis de Sales (24^th January 2003)

24 JANUARY

Canon Anfossi narrates that in his time he was struck to the heart by a little talk which Don Bosco gave one evening when he spoke of a person already advanced in age whom he had rescued and who, for so long had given proof of piety; and on the other hand, it had come to be known that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. He had secretly stolen a soul from God; and this person had been sent away from the Oratory at once. After he had made the matter clear with much prudence, Don Bosco spoke of the grave harm which scandal caused in the ruin of souls; then he wept Don Bosco spoke like this because he had come to know of this affair from others. At other times, if circumstances so demanded that he suspend the execution of an order, he would advise the scandal giver only once and then rigorously isolate him from the company of the boys. He would take care that he was continually watched; but if he fell again he would send him away from the house no matter what might happen. On coming to know that a boy had tried to hide this from him, or had some book not properly expurgated he would call the boy, admonish him and make him hand over the book and if he would not desist from such reading he would send him away from the Oratory although he was endowed with the finest intelligence. 

Don Bosco was mindful of the victim. Foreseeing how the youngster who returned to the world would have worsened his moral and religious condition, (and perhaps even have lost his faith and have a bad death) counseled him to do all he could to keep him near himself. If he did not succeed in his charitable intent to put him on the good path he was not slow to send for him. "From a basket full of good fruits" - he said -"bad fruits must be taken out to avoid the corruption of the others."

In these delicate circumstances his prudence always stood out The saintly Leonard Murialdo asked him one day what his method of procedure was when anything happened against morality in the institute. Don Bosco told him: "in such cases I call the accused boy aside to my room telling him that I am obliged to speak of that matter of which St Paul did not wish to speak so that he would see the seriousness of the evil done. If charity to the others so demanded I would quietly send him back to his parents; but I would not inflict any punishment, thus avoiding the greater evil that the talk which the other boys would naturally make." 

And so, when he could, he saved even the honor of the blameworthy. Sometimes it was seen that someone would suddenly disappear from the

Oratory and no one would notice. The true motive of that departure always remained unknown. It was believed all the more that such was the will of the parents or it was on account of family affairs or sickness. Don Bosco, placed in such dire necessity, quietly held back tears without effort when thinking of the evil lot of the offender and did not let him go without giving him the last reminder: "you have only one soul, if that is saved, all is saved; but if that is lost, all is lost, forever." 

JANUARY 23

How endearing and sweet on Don Bosco's lips were those expressions that were so familiar to him. The reflection of the state of his heart was transparent in his face. "How good is the Lord with us! He will not let us be wanting in anything. Let us serve Him faithfully." 

-"Let us love God, let us love Him much because He is our Father."

-"All passes away. What is not eternal is worth nothing." 

It is evident then that the method of education used by Don Bosco was that of bounty wisely and gently adapted to youth. Would that such a system were adapted in all Christian homes, in every institute of education, whether public or private, whether for boys or for girls. How easy it would render to youth the exercise of religion! How quickly would the remedy be applied to the first symptoms of oncoming evil! What a safe guarantee would it provide to good and innocent boys against the bad example of perverted companions! We would have pure and pious youth that would be the consolation of their families and the support of civil society. 

In this light it was appreciated by a great number of educationists especially from England. After St John Bosco's death many schools intended for poor boys, took his Oratory at Turin and its regulations as their model. Their founders studied Don Bosco's life and his practical system of education and followed his example, reaping a fine crop of ecclesiastical vocations. Don Bosco's picture hangs on the walls of those institutions and even in seminaries, in a place of honor. 

Even amongst Protestants Don Bosco had imitators. Fr. Bonavia was writing from our house in London on 12th of June 1903: "I am sending you two papers that contain some remarks about Don Bosco. They are not Catholic but they seemingly belong to the High Church, that is to say, they are Ritualist or Pueyist The writer, a certain Norman Potter, must, I believe, be the same person with whom, several months ago, one of our priests made acquaintance. He is the manager of a boarding not far from us and the confrere who paid him a visit saw in his drawing room the picture of Don Bosco with the motto DA MIHI ANIMAS CAETERA TOLLE. This gentleman has traveled through Italy and has visited several of our houses including our Oratory in Turin. He imitates Don Bosco in whatsoever he can. He has a chaplain (Protestant, of course) in his Institute. I believe he also reads the Salesian Bulletin. He gives a historical sketch about Don Bosco in the articles in question. The first Good Will, printed in 1900 is the shorter and has a portrait The second, Common Wealth, was printed this year; is more extensive and also gives a sketch of the Preventive system taken from the regulations of our houses. Whenever there is mention of frequent Confession and of Communion and of daily Mass he translates the word Mass into Eucharist perhaps in order to avoid the word Mass which is disliked by many even

Anglicans. He winds up both articles wishing that the Lord may raise up men with the spirit of St John Bosco here in England where they are so much needed." 

JANUARY 22

Don Bosco used to attribute to the Sacraments the efficacy of his work amongst youth. He would try his best to make the boys go for Confession regularly and often, but no pressure was brought to bear on them. He would just exhort them and have them encouraged to go to Confession, but he would never compel them. Though he sat at his Confessional every morning, and great though was the boys' desire to go to him so that time was wanting to satisfy them, yet he wanted outside Confessors to be at the boys' disposal. Especially at feasts and vigils he would allow the greatest freedom. He would never permit any comment as to who went to him and who went to others for Confession. Years afterwards he gave this rule to one of his priests: "never give any sign of partiality or preference to those who come to you for their Confession." Likewise he never gave way but firmly forbade that on days of general Communion boys should be orderly marched bench by bench to the Communion rails. This he did to prevent those who were not prepared for Holy Communion from being overcome by human respect Better freedom at the cost of a little confusion was his principle. At every day's Mass Communions were so numerous that often visitors would ask what feast was going on. Indeed they were under the impression they were watching a feast day celebration. 

The good that Don Bosco did through Confession was so great that we would dub him the "Apostle of Confession." He used to instill such tranquility and trust in God and in His mercy that many, on leaving the Oratory would find it difficult to approach other confessors. He used to tell his penitents the words of St. Philip Neri: "Peccati e malincolia - non voglio in casa mia" ('I do not wish sin and sadness in my house') meaning thereby that they should fully entrust their eternal salvation to him. 

Frequency in receiving the Sacraments was the main spring that set all the Oratory boys on the way of obedience with peace and joy. Consequently the striking note of the Oratory was a noisy light-heartedness; lively games and at the same time a great piety and purity of life together with the greatest earnestness in the fulfillment of duty. A great number of excellent boys, real models for their companions, were the impressive index of these virtues. Hundreds of old boys, both laymen and priests, stand witness that in their times not a single serious disorder had to be regretted. 

Canon Ballesio writes: "the change from rejecting evil and striving for good, our joy and contentedness, the order of our house, our success in study and work, all this was fruit of reason and of that piety that the Saint used to instill into us with his examples, his sermons. He would encourage us often to receive the Holy Sacraments (an unusual thing in those times). Moreover he would enkindle in us the love for virtue, for sacrifice and obedience. He would dispel the cloud on our souls with a word, with a nod, with a look. 

JANUARY 21

Don Bosco used to watch his boys attentively wherever they were. He would often come to the study hall and to the workshops. The slightest breach of the rules would immediately come to his knowledge and be righted by his intervention. He would often confer with his subordinates listening to their reports about the boys' behavior and he would give them rules of action for the improvement of discipline. He ordered that every pupil should be given his weekly mark of conduct, of study and of work, and he himself would publicly read those marks on Sunday evening encouraging the diligent and admonishing the negligent. 

Don Bosco was utterly convinced that reflection brings round boys in most cases and makes them acknowledge and correct their defects. Consequently he would never grow tired of admonishing and advising. His patience was heroic indeed. When a superior hesitated to accept or send away any boy he used to advise the practice of St Paul's rule: "Omnia probate: quod bonum est tenete" -"Test them all and retain what is good" and to this effect he would take this admonition seriously. At the beginning of the year, if he had an inkling that one of the new boys could do harm to his companions he would call him, he would admonish him in the most impressive way and he would keep him under a special vigilance. Many who got into the bad habit of evil talk and had just freshly arrived from the world improved with such solicitude.  

Don Bosco's ways to win over boys and bring them to God's service were his own secret Both in the order of nature and of grace he was gifted with such qualities that, no matter how wayward and recalcitrant to grace a boy might be, he would surely surrender to Don Bosco's paternal advice, on hearing fatherly words whispered into his ear. Don Bosco's admonitions were bound to be successful because, for souls he was ready to lay down his life a hundred times. 

His words used to fling open the hearts of boys. Often he would ask them to be sincere with the superiors in things pertaining to their souls. He used to extol the advantages of sincerity. He would call it the key to internal peace, the best weapon to drive sadness away, the safest secret for joy both in life and in death, as well as for achieving real perfection. These recommendations were intended to prevent evil and to neutralize its consequences. 

He used to tell his helpers: "We must keep sin away from our houses, our boys must all live in the grace of God; without this, things cannot go well." He used to say: "Remember that the best method of education is that of obtaining good Confessions and good Communions." 

JANUARY 20

One midnight in 1861 a mighty rumbling shook the Oratory to its very foundations. A thunderbolt fell into the room of Don Bosco. It threw him into the middle of it unconscious, and left the place in disorder. His first thought, on coming to, was for his boys who slept on the floor above. He prayed to Mary for them; and there was need of his prayers. The electric discharge had passed through the dormitory, wrecked the roof, and filled the boys with so much fear that their panic would have complemented the work of the thunderbolt In the Babel of cries, shouts, weeping and darkness the sweet and smiling figure of Don Bosco appeared holding a lamp before him and standing on a pile of bricks and mortar.  

"Fear not!" he called in a reassuring tone. "We have a good Father and a good Mother in heaven watching over us!" 

As God willed, the confusion subsided. The father ascertained whether all were safe and having seen that, he uttered a "Thanks be to God!" that came straight from his heart. 

"Let us thank...!" he continued, "our Lord and Our Blessed Lady! They have preserved us from a grave danger. Woe to us if the house had also caught fire! Who of us would have been saved then?"

Not so much occupied was he in that moment as to forget to make all, there and then kneel before an image of Our Lady and recite the Litany in her honor. Later on the clerics came to visit him and ask him if he had suffered any injuries. It was the third time that a thunderbolt had played havoc on the Oratory but this last time far surpassed the other two. Don Bosco nevertheless said: "We have obtained one of the best favors of Mary; let us thank her from the bottom of our hearts!’

In fact later investigation showed clearly that nothing was wanting to turn the accident into the hecatomb. He was told to put up a lightening conductor. "Yes! he replied, "Up there we shall set up a statue of Mary. Mary saved us so wonderfully from the lightening that it would be rank ingratitude to trust any other. 

The little statue, the true protectress of the pioneer Oratory still stands there as token of the filial love of Don Bosco for the Queen of Heaven. Before the end of that year the Oratory was again frightened: This time by the sinking of a vault beneath a new building. Don Bosco calmed them by his example. "The devil, if he remarked tranquilly, "wanted to put his tail in again! But never fear; 'onward' is the word! 

JANUARY 19

Don Bosco would listen attentively to the complaints of the assistants, he would study the cause of the disorders, he would recommend justice and impartiality. He would ask them not to let themselves be moved by passion or affection and especially to avoid any violent punishment He would consequently reject the idea of general punishments were it only of one whole dormitory, because this irritates the innocent who were always to be found amongst the culprits. The correction in such cases was reserved to him. Sometimes the complaint was that too many pupils had low marks clearly showing negligence in study. Sometimes that the silence prescribed by regulation was easily broken. Some other times that fraternal charity was broken over some trifle or that the assistant’s admonitions were ignored.

Then Don Bosco adopted a means that always obtained its end. He would begin to show himself cold, preoccupied and reticent when he was amongst his boys. He would deprive them of some extraordinary story that have been promised by him and was expected with a great curiosity. More than once after night prayers he would climb the step where he used to address his daily little talk and seriously casting around that look of his that had always a particular weight on the souls of boys he would only utter the words: "I am not satisfied with you; I am sorry that for tonight I cannot say anything else." And then he would climb down the step hiding his hands in the sleeves of his cassock without allowing anybody to kiss them and slowly he would walk towards the staircase that led to his room without saying a word to anyone. Then you would hear amongst the boys here and there, ill-repressed sobbing, you would see tears flow down their faces. The boys would withdraw to the dormitory thoughtful and repentant Indeed to offend and displease Don Bosco was the same as offending God and displeasing him. This was enough to put the house in perfect order and when Don Bosco reappeared all felt glad on seeing him smile. 

If Don Bosco was quick to forgive the faults of the contrite against discipline, charity, obedience and the respect due to the superiors. He supported and put up with patience, some who whilst they were striving for their conversion, he knew to be bad, although they could not do harm to others. He was however rigorous against those who had stolen or grievously offended religion or morality by their way of speaking or of acting. He absolutely did not know how to tolerate offenses against God. 

He was never precipitous in his deliberations. In the charges made against anyone he did not want to pass a sentence without having first heard both parties or as he expressed it: "Without hearing both the bells". 

JANUARY 18

For Don Bosco one of the most serious faults was disobedience when it took the air of revolt. It happened once that a big boy after having been commanded, begged and patiently exhorted, was disobediently and insolently refusing to obey in a very important matter. The other boys were present. In the circumstances Don Bosco could not and must not give way; it was necessary to avoid scandal but on the other side he could not reconcile himself to the idea of sending away the boy, exposing him to lose his soul. Consequently, after having concentrated himself for a while and after having invoked the Lord, Don Bosco gave him a slap. All were as if struck by lightening. An intense horror for that disobedience overtook the boys, as they had never seen their superior punish in such away. Meanwhile Don Bosco covered his face with both his hands; the boy all confused lowered his head, obeyed immediately and from that moment became one of the best boys of the Oratory. Many years afterwards Don Bosco telling that incident used to add: "well the thing ended well, but I would advise nobody to take the risk." But it was most difficult for Don Bosco to check himself whenever he heard certain insults against God that rather seemed to have been taught to men by the devil.  

Mgr. Cagliero wrote: "Once on a Sunday evening a very shameless ragamuffin just to tease him, uttered in front of him an ugly blasphemy. Don Bosco then abandoning his unalterable calm and meekness set on fire by holy zeal gave him several slaps saying: "This is for you little rascal, and learn never to profane the Holy Name of God otherwise the Lord will in His time give you other blows and a little stronger." I do not remember Don Bosco having used this means on any other occasion whether at home or outside.  

"On another occasion" Don Rua narrated "towards the beginning of my stay with him I saw him give some slaps to a certain insolent boy who had uttered a blasphemy". At that moment you could read on his face the horror he felt for such a monstrous sin. He told me once: "Even at Confession when the penitents repeat the blasphemy they accuse themselves of, I feel a stroke in my heart and my strength fails. Apart from that, by force of his admirable temperament and fortitude I never saw him upset during the thirty or more years we spent together." 

Until now we have spoken about the punishments inflicted on individuals; but when the question of offenses incurred by one whole class or by a great part of the community how did Don Bosco recall all to order or punish the culprit? Let me hasten to advance that the Oratory never witnessed these unpleasant scenes such as insubordination which happens in certain schools What happened were boys' pranks and nothing more; but, of course, a remedy had to be taken on the great maxim: "Nip it in the bud" (Principiis Obsta). 

JANUARY 16 &17

January 16/17

After reflecting yesterday on the 'slips' we continue to see some more resolutions that were prompted by the slips given by Don Bosco. 

1. As often as I shall be allowed I shall not sleep more than six hours and even less and as uncomfortably as possible.

2. I shall fast every Saturday in honor of Our Lady, every day in Lent and on all the vigils commanded by the Church and whenever something pleasing to the palate is given to me, I shall offer it up to Our Lady depriving myself of all or at least part of it. Whenever I eat something I shall contrast it with the myrrh that Our Lord Jesus Christ had to drink on the Cross.

3. I shall visit the Blessed Sacrament every day and shall recite the "Memorare". Besides I shall kiss the crucifix every morning and evening and shall say the other prayers I am accustomed to say. I shall make the exercises of a happy death every month, and frequent the Holy Sacraments once a week or every day according to the advice of my confessor.

4. I shall be careful not to offend my companions in any way and I shall try to make reparation for scandals given.

5. I shall never waste time in study and shall occupy as much as possible even in my recreation time.

6. Every month I shall choose a saint as my particular patron/protector. Thus for January I shall select St Francis de Sales, for February St Gregory, Pope, for March St Joseph, for April St Mark and so on. 

A third reads as follows: -

I, James R., with the help of God and Mary most holy, promise to observe these resolutions, commencing from the feast of all Saints on which I hope to receive the clerical habit and which also is my seventeenth birthday.

1. I shall every day ask God to strike me dead rather than permit me to commit one mortal sin.

2. I shall consecrate myself entirely to Him, putting myself in the hands of my superiors and considering every little command of theirs as coming from Him.

3. I shall fulfill my every duty whether spiritual or temporal with the greatest precision.

4. I shall try to conquer all human respect and give good example.

5. I shall go to confession every week and shall more frequently receive Communion.

6. I shall make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament every day and to Mary Most Holy.

7. Every Saturday I shall perform some mortification in honor of Our Lady.

8. I shall celebrate Her feasts with particular devotion and before every one I shall fast a little.

9. Every day I shall pray for my parents, benefactors and superiors

10. If I obtain the grace to become a priest I shall work with zeal for the salvation of souls and shall announce to all, the glories of Mary to whom I owe my change of life.

11. I shall always beg God to grant me final perseverance. "All things are possible because of Him that encourages me".  

At death and at my judgment I shall see whether or not I have kept these promises.

Lastly on the slip of a young cleric, besides the promises to observe exactly the rules of the Society and the obligations of the clerical state, we find these two articles. 

1. I shall choose for myself a secret monitor whom I shall ask to observe my conduct and correct me every time he notices that I fail in anything.

2. Before commencing any study I shall ready a chapter of the life of a saint in order to imitate them. On finishing these books I shall again start from the beginning. 

Who would not be moved on thinking of those good pupils, with pen in hand and slip before them, penning those lines that please God directed them inexorably towards a happy eternity! We seem to see those youthful yet serious faces, eyes raised upwards in search of phrases and that shining candor which they would manifest in their act of giving it to Don Bosco. 

What was the result, we sometimes ask, of all these holy devises?

Canon Giacinto Ballesio in his work "The private life of Don Bosco" gives us the reply:

"Don Bosco used to govern his dear Oratory with the triple rule of holy fear of God, love and good example. Some will call this kind of government "Theocratic government" but we always call it the government of persuasion and love, the most worthy of men. On seeing its effects one naturally cries out in pleasant surprise for through it hundreds of boys both students and artisans would fulfill their duties with zeal and exactness. A large number of them were not only good but very good," true models of piety, study, sweetness and mortification, attractive guides, shining and efficacious examples. Boys who would not have committed a venial sin for the whole world, boys of so sound and tender a devotion that it really possessed something of the extraordinary about it. How beautiful it was to see them in Church, rapt in heavenly ecstasy. And how often would the noble people of the city bring their children to the Oratory in order to get them to imitate the lowly children of people, who by their piety had become without their knowing it, noble and great. They were indeed very dear to the heart of Don Bosco. Impregnated with this spirit they, by the great influence they exercised over their companions were of great help to him. The sweet and attractive virtues of innocence, simplicity and Christian happiness that make the works of St. Dominic and St. Francis of Assisi together with those of their followers so popular were in truth seen to flourish in the oratory. And so through Don Bosco we see that those things that the profane call fairy tales have indeed come true. 

JANUARY 15

We should note, while speaking of the little slips how Don Bosco used to keep the most important with great jealousy so that they might serve as reminders for the future. How often would a boy forget the promises made to God and turn towards evil and see that little slip placed before his eyes as a sweet reproach of his infidelity. How often did certain ones, who some time before had left the Oratory I receive that eloquent slip by post when they least expected it In the midst of their affairs, dissipations and even too free a life, having, alas, forgotten the Oratory. That little slip which reminded them of those years of grace arrived to urge them to return to the right road again. Some of these little slips were found in Don Bosco’s drawer after his death. They were written on certain solemn occasions by boys who became models

of virtue in the civil and sacerdotal life. All the others were destroyed by the good father. But from those which we still have in our possession we will transcribe a few for the edification of those who read these notes. 

The first alludes to the special care Don Bosco used to take of those fortunate children who were going to receive their first Communion.

"Souvenir given by dear Don Bosco on the occasion of my first Communion:

Grace to be asked:

1. To die in the grace of God

2. To be able to receive the Sacraments before dying

3. Modesty, and abhorrence for the contrary vice. 

Promises to be made to Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist who is going to come into my heart.

1. To go to confession once a month and even oftener according to the advice of my confessor.

2. Rigorous sanctification of feasts  

Souvenirs

1. Never to go about with bad companions

2. Never to be idle

3. Fundamental souvenir: Obedience to my parents

John Ruggero 

Let us not omit the little slip of another good boy of one of the higher classes of the high school whose writing possesses in truth an endearing frankness.

"Rules which, with the help of Mary and on the advice of my confessor I propose to follow: 18th Sept 1857.

"Penance here below then no penance up above. Here little or no penance, then an eternity of penance.

(Continued on January 16, 1997 - on the subject of 'slips')

JANUARY 14

Sometimes Don Bosco's charitable talks would not succeed. Then he would fall back on a medicine or expedient which he used to call "walks". When he saw that a rather accentuated rancor or dissension existed between two of the bigger boys and that it was going to be a difficult task to unite them, he would invite the first to come for a walk with him. This act of friendship would calm the heart of the boy and Don Bosco would allow him to recount the whole story of the wrongs which, he thought, had been committed against him. On another day he would invite the second for a fine walk and would let him say whatever he thought of the former. Naturally Don Bosco in the course of the conversation would affably try to drive away the prejudices of the one and the other, without however directly opposing them. After some days he would invite both to come with him for some recreation. In the beginning both would make strange grimaces but they did not dare to say "no" to Don Bosco. So, silent and uncertain as to what was going to happen they would follow him. Don Bosco did not keep them waiting long, for he would commence almost at once to reason with them and in the end make them come to some agreement Then he would cheer them up and make them laugh so that when they returned to the Oratory I they would be the best of friends again.

Let us recall some more of Don Bosco’s tricks:

Not content with the confidential maxims which he used to suggest, he was accustomed to write them on a piece of paper which he would place in such a place that the boys found them just at the opportune time. For example he would write: "Whatever you do, say and think, make sure that it is done to the advantage of your soul

-Suffer willingly for God who has suffered so much for you

-In fatigue and suffering never forget that there is a great reward prepared for us in heaven.

-It is my desire we should help one another to save one another s soul.

-He who is not obedient will be deprived of every virtue.

-He who goes with good boys will go to Paradise.

-At the hour of death you will be sorry to have lost so much time without any advantage to your soul.

-He who abuses the mercy of God to offend Him does not deserve mercy.

-If you love your soul all is lost.

-What has God done to you that you treat him so badly?

-Be prepared

-Whoever is not prepared to die well today runs the risk of dying badly.

-Guard your eyes and preserve them for contemplating one day the features of Mary in Paradise. 

He would also write counsels to hundreds of others, many of which have not come down to us because they were of too confidential a nature. On occasions he even used to write out a particular counsel for everyone in the house even when the number nearly reached a thousand. 

JANUARY 13

Don Bosco would give complete liberty to everyone to ask questions, expose burdens, defend himself or make excuses. One day on being asked by one of his priests why he was so kind, he replied jokingly in an attempt to gloss over his virtue, "do you know what cleverness means? To know how to act the good-natured man! That is just how I act I let them say all they want to say. I listen to one, I listen to another, taking note of every word; afterwards in deciding I take everything into account and thus come to know everything perfectly." 

The pupils, in coming to speak to him, never omitted anything demanded by good manners or by the reverence due to a superior. Don Bosco irreproachable in himself as regards cleanliness of person, demanded the same nearness from others. All the boys knew that when one of them went to see him, the first thing he would do was to examine their coat, collar and shoes and if he did not find them clean and orderly, he would at once send them away to clean them. Therefore they always used to go to see him in such a way that Don Bosco never could find cause for complaint. When they entered his room Don Bosco used to receive them with the same respect as he would have shown in receiving great lords. He would invite them to sit on the sofa while he would sit at his table and listen with the greatest attention to whatever they had to say as if it were the most important thing in the world. Sometimes he would get up and walk up and down with them in the room. At the end of their chat he would accompany them right in to the door, open it himself and on parting with them would say: "henceforth we shall always be friends." 

One cannot imagine - the discretion and wisdom Don Bosco possessed in giving opportune pieces of advice, which if put into practice used to produce wonderful and beneficial effects. 

How many vocations had their birth in that room! How many good boys were made better during those visits. One day he asked a good boy: "would you like to make a bargain with me?" "What kind of a bargain?" "I will tell you another time." The boy passed a whole week full of curiosity and at the end of it on going to confession to Don Bosco his first question was: "tell me, what bargain you wanted to make with me?" "And tell me" replied Don Bosco "would you willingly stay here in the Oratory in order to be with Don Bosco always?" "Only too willingly" replied the boy without understanding however what this proposal implied. "All right, go to Don Rua and tell him I want to sign a contract with you." The boy immediately went to carry out the message of Don Bosco. Don Rua himself did not understand at first what was meant, then on realizing, he brought him to a conference which Don Bosco was giving to the Salesian confreres. The boy attended this and many others. Later he became a novice of the congregation and became a zealous Salesian priest

JANUARY 12

Don Bosco used to inform his clerics of all the dangerous boys he had discovered telling them also of the tricks he used, giving them at the same time, particular advice for each case. He was always multiplying tricks trying in every way to attract the boys to himself for he desired to have an uncontested influence over their hearts for their progress in virtue and Christian perfection. Every Sunday he would invite the boys from each class who had received the best conduct marks to his table; the first student of each class who had received the best conduct marks; the first student of each class would come in turn and then the artisans of every single workshop. In this manner every class and every workshop was represented there at least three times a year in the superiors' refectory. After dinner the boys used to chat with Don Bosco and he would give them a cake or some other sweet or sometimes as a sign of confidence he would invite some of these boys to accompany him through Turin, in order also to be able to speak to them more freely about their vocation. 

During the function of Holy Thursday evening he would wash the feet of thirteen boys selected from among the t, after which he would invite them to dine with him. This act of courtesy n the part of Don Bosco used to please the boys very much. 

In order to show how much he esteemed those boys who served at the altar he would every Sunday (without making the least distinction between the observant and the less observant in their ordinary duties) invite those two boys who had served the Community Mass the preceding week to dine with the clerics. Though these two boys were not presented to Don Bosco at the end of dinner, nevertheless it was a great stimulus to make them strive to gain other signs of affection. At the same time they were witnesses of Don Bosco's mortified behavior and they could not do less than affirm it was one of his more eminent virtues. 

Above all, Don Bosco, in spite of his many grave occupations was always ready to receive very kindly in his room those boys who would ask him for a particular audience. Indeed it was his desire that they should treat him with great familiarity. He would never complain or lament about the indiscreet ways in which they troubled him. 

Since in him signs of surprise, rash judgment or violent anger were never seen but on the contrary always the same calm and unalterable deportment, everyone willingly came and opened his heart to him. One should not therefore be surprised on seeing that he had such an influence over the souls of even the most reluctant 

JANUARY 11

Sometimes the boys used to ask Don Bosco to foretell the number of years they would live. In those cases Don Bosco would content them, by telling them and at the same time he was only joking. But here we think it right and opportune to tell you before hand that the instruction and education imparted at the Oratory excluded every kind of superstition, and that in the forty three years the Oratory that some of the boys spent there they had always admired that simple and pure faith which abhorred every kind of deceit． 

Don Bosco used to make the boys open their hands and he would commence to gaze at the lines on their palms especially those which were in the middle and seemed to form the letter 'M'. This letter would give him occasion to note how every man carries about him a constant reminder, as it were, of death towards which he is going. (Mors = Death) Then he would ask: "How old are you?" One would shout out "twelve" another "seventeen"; while others would shout out confusedly "fourteen"; "eighteen" etc. Then after some reflection he would add with a mysterious air to this one or that "before you will be thirty years old... when you will reach your thirty first... Oh! If you reach your fortieth year...who knows...We shall see something will happen." Then he would again begin to consider those lines with affected seriousness, accompanied with strange and amusing signs and jokes seasoned with some good thought At length he would add, saying to one: "now listen attentively. You are fifteen years old, aren't you? All right, add this up: fifteen plus ten, minus seven, plus three, plus twelve, minus nineteen and add up the total. Find it" Thus he would continue to mix them up, varying the numbers and giving to everyone present his horoscope. But one would not be able to follow a complicated arithmetical operation another would have forgotten a number and would insist on Don Bosco repeating it, a third would ask for a pencil and a piece of paper to note down his answer.

Some of the brighter boys would succeed in working out that mix up and would ask Don Bosco to confirm their result Then he would always add a 'but' and 'if or 'we shall see' or 'provided you remain good,' all of which would destroy the result Then he would laugh. Most of the boys would join him, but a few however would seem a little vexed, others thoughtful. All would not like to believe that Don Bosco did this as a pastime, but they remained obstinate in the thought that by means of the gift he only wished to hide the grace granted him of knowing the future. Therefore they would take note of all that had been said concerning them. All the more so because as the boys themselves testified, his prophecies, were more than once not only apparent, but really fulfilled to the letter. The fact is however, that, as all esteemed him, a saint. Even those, who wanted to seem not only indifferent, but even skeptical, were seen to keep the words of Don Bosco so impressed in their minds. After forty or fifty years they seriously prepared themselves for death as the time foretold by Don Bosco to be the end of their lives. Indeed even to some priests this was a great grace. 

JANUARY 10

Often Don Bosco would be seen walking up and down surrounded by a large crowd of clerics and boys. Some would be following him, but the greater part would be preceding him, walking backwards in order to hear better what he was saying. Don Bosco with his lively conversation would entertain them now with an example now with some adventure which had befallen him, now with the struggle of the Oratory in the beginning, all of which would produce a salutary effect on them. 

"Together with many of my companions I can assure you" -Don Rua would affirm -"that one conversation of Don Bosco was as good, nay worth more than a spiritual retreat. Sometimes at the end of his conversation or narration, he used to give us various books and works written by himself especially those against the Protestants in order to preserve us from their snares and errors.” 

On summer evenings when the feast day recreations were a little longer than usual, the games used to become lifeless on account of the tiredness of the boys. Don Bosco would then go to the playground and sit on the ground with his back against the wall. As soon as the boys saw him, they would run and sit down around him forming seven large semi circles of happy faces, all intent on him. A distinguished lawyer thus expressed himself on once witnessing this spectacle which was reproduced time and again from 1850 to 1866: 

"They were the living and speaking figures of the most pure, modest and cheerful innocence. Their eyes as wide open as windows. They had nothing to hide. In those innocent souls there was no room for a bad thought. They would candidly look into the face of anyone they met, communicating to all that serene peace which never decreased in their beautiful souls. As for the boys themselves, it was indeed a most pleasing sight to them to be able to gaze upon their loving father Don Bosco." 

Fr. Emilius Sacco, parish priest of the Church of St. Stephen at Pallenza, and an old boy of the Oratory, wrote to Don Rua in 1888 "0 Don Bosco! How dear he was to us! How virtuous and holy! I still seem to see him smiling on me, to hear his sweet words and admire his amiable countenance on which was imprinted the beauty of his soul." 

Don Bosco used to reserve his most pleasing conversations for these little gatherings in the open air. At times he would narrate in his own style the dialogue of Gaspare Gozzi between an inkstand and a lamp. At other times he would invent one between a pen and an inkstand; between a cobbler and a broken shoe, which did not want to be mended on a Sunday but on a Monday. Or he would invent an argument supposed to have taken place between him and his lamp which did not want to give light because it sided with the Protestants. At other times he would recite difficult sonnets, one particularly being remembered "on the blade of my penknife" being written by himself as a cleric. 

Sometimes he would narrate wonderful fables which would stir the imagination of his hearers. He would describe the great Gargantuan and all the wonderful adventures which befell it in the field of the impossible. Afterwards he would describe its the death and burial at which thousands of people were present. But they could not succeed in covering him completely with earth, although they made a very deep grave one kilometer long. He

would conclude "his nose is still uncovered. You can still see him even today." 

- "Can it still be seen?" all the boys would cry in surprise. "Yes, look at it. It is now known as Mont Blanc!"

JANUARY 9

(Continued from yesterday) To others he would say, "Do you know, I want to cook you." Or "You are not sufficiently cooked as yet" meaning that he wanted to see in him a more perfect tenor of life, or a more sincere love of God. 

At other times he would ask one whom he had seen distracted during the sermon "tell me, are you suffering from a toothache?" "I? No". "Oh! I thought you had a bad toothache." Then he would explain to the boy that he meant that he chewed the word of God so badly, that it seemed that he did not like it and therefore did not derive any fruit from it. While at other times he would ask. "Poor fellow, have you a headache?" meaning thereby that he was capricious and disobedient. 

Another very common phrase of his was, "when will you start working miracles?" Sometimes he would address these phrases to someone who was rather thoughtful or to another whom he thought was thinking of something away from the subject or to one who whispered an aside to a companion when Don Bosco had a crowd around him. 

Don Bosco rarely, if ever, reprimanded severely, much less publicly. He never let any boy know that he had little esteem for him. And even those who knew that they did not merit any regard knew well that Don Bosco would never stigmatize them before the others. During the whole of his life he never humiliated anyone except in the case of public scandals when public reparation was necessary, hence the trust and confidence of almost all the boys in their superior. Thus his friendly advice never dishonored anyone but would bring about good and was lasting effects. As the Book of Proverbs says: 'As an ear-ring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise and the obedient ear' (Prov 25:12) 

These were some his most common requests:

-Will you as a nosegay for me in honor of our Lady study your lessons a little better?

-Jesus is waiting for you in the Church; he wants you to make a short visit

-Get rid of the habit of catching hold of others.

-Did you make a good confession?

-Why do you not go oftener to Holy Communion?

-Those companions!

-Be of good heart

-Ask Our Lady and she will help you.

-If you could see the state of your soul!

-Carry on as you are doing; Our Lady is pleased with you.

-Remember, God sees you.

-Death rather than sin.

-Become good in order that we may meet other in heaven.

-Make sure to make a good confession and you will be happy.

-Qui faciunt peccata hostes sunt animae suae (He who sins is an enemy of his soul).

-Recite five "Our Fathers" In honor of the wounds of Jesus in order to obtain the grace that none of those who die today will go to hell.

-Help me to save your soul.

-Cheer up! One day we shall be together with Our Lord.

-Ask Our Lady for the grace of never falling into sin

-Be obedient and you will be holy.

-Will you be able to sleep tranquilly tonight?