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.