DON BOSCO'S MADONNA WHAT ABOUT THE STONE? Mumbai … · April 2017 6 Don Bosco’s Madonna April...

2 3April 2017 Don Bosco’s Madonna Don Bosco’s MadonnaApril 2017Fr. Ian Doulton sdb

From The Editor's Desk:What About the Stone?............3

Communication in Families- Jeanette Brimner....................4

Youth on the Move: What a Friend We Have In Jesus - Melanie D’Souza..................8

Salesian Saint: Ven. Andrew Beltrami .........10

Witnesses In And For Our Times:St Pedro de Betancur.............12

Lectio Divina: Love Conquers Death- Mattia Principe.,.................16

Quietspaces: I Desire Mercy not Sacrifice- Pope Francis............................18

The Man Who Got What He Wanted- Fr. Ian Doulton's Collection...20

Facets of His LIfe: Don Bosco, Magician?- Natale Cerrato.........................24

Reflecting on Mary: Mary, Disciple of Christ (1) - Mario Galizzi........................28

NewsBits.....................................30

Walking With the Church: Silence,Praying for Others, Offering Masses.St Martin’s Messenger.................31

In a Cheerful Mood......................15The Devotion of

the Three Hail Marys.............33Loving Children to their

Loving Mother........................34They Are Grateful to

Our Lady & Don Bosco..........34Thanks to Dear

St. Dominic Savio...................35

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS

DON BOSCO'S MADONNA Mumbai APRIL 2017 vol.18 No. 12

WHAT ABOUT THE STONE?Easter didn’t begin as a slow, gradual triumph of dawn over

darkness. It didn’t creep upon us like little cats’ feet. Moreover, it isnot an event to be used in artful arguments or intellectual seminars.

In Easter, God confronts us - hits us in the face. This is confrontationof the highest order! Peter Gromes stated it this way: God knows how toget our attention, and he really knows how to start a new relationship.

Now, about the stone: Was it rolled away so Jesus could get out, orwas it for us to get in? After all, God had already done a mighty workinside the tomb.

At first glance we might see rolling back the stone to be a necessarychore. But let’s take another look. It would have been easy to place thestone in the opening of the tomb, but much more difficult to moveonce it had settled into the groove.

In his Gospel, Mark records the conversation of the women walkingto the tomb on Easter morning to anoint Jesus’ body saying, “‘Whowill roll away the stone?” It was too heavy for them.

The stone would have been an obstacle for the women had the angelnot rolled it away, but not the kind of obstacle God was thinking of:

The stone would keep the women from: Seeing the miracle of Easter;seeing the evidence that Jesus is alive and knowing that Jesus is not inthe tomb, but in the midst of humankind.

The stone was rolled away by God’s supernatural intervention, toallow us to enter the tomb to see what God had done.

Today, some of us have stones blocking the entrance of our hearts.These stones slid easily into place, but like the stone at the tomb’sentrance, are difficult to remove. Stones like anger, adultery, bitterness,blame-shifting, greed, hatred, lying, (and you fill in the rest) keep usfrom walking in the Spirit and living a rich, fulfilled life with Christ.They block our ability to see, know, and serve him. Like the women,we may cry, “Who will roll the stone away?”

About now, someone ought to be saying, “Roll it away, Lord!”Roll away the stones that keep me from a closer walk with you Lord.

Roll away the people and the things that keep me from fullyexperiencing the joy of your love in my life. Roll away everything thatkeeps me from seeking you with the power of the Holy Spirit. Rollthem away Lord, that I may see your glory in my life.

Then, like the women who, finding the stone rolled away, ran to tellthe disciples all that they had seen, we too can run and tell the Eastermessage of new life in him to all who will listen.

Jesus is alive. He is risen! Our new life in Christ begins when we areable to take hold of what has been given to us and run with it, knowingthat its success does not depend on us. Christ already has done thework of salvation once and for all. The battle is over, the victory iswon. Alleluia!

O merciful God,protection in our

weakness:may we, who honour

the holy Motherof God,

with the help of herintercession,

rise up from ouriniquities.

(From the Common of Our Lady)

4 5April 2017 Don Bosco’s Madonna Don Bosco’s MadonnaApril 2017

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COMMUNICATION IN FAMILIESCOMMUNICATION IN FAMILIESCOMMUNICATION IN FAMILIESCOMMUNICATION IN FAMILIESCOMMUNICATION IN FAMILIESby Jeanette Brimner

In the fifties, practically an eonago for many of you, most of

the moms in the neighborhoodnever worked outside the home.Those were the halcyon dayswhen most families in Canadacould get along quite well on onesalary. Our family ate supper to-gether and being the youngest ofseven children, I would listen tomy much older brothers and sis-ters discuss various topics withmom and dad. I was delightedwhen my brother announced hewas going to be an engineer andI envisioned him travelling acr-oss the country and waving cheer-fully at children when his trainpassed a crossing. I was so disap-pointed, when I learned that hewas not going to be a train engin-eer but another kind, whichmeant he had to attend univers-ity. Those family dinners werewarm and happy, especially onSundays and we would pray therosary together nearly everynight.

When my sister, only threeyears older and I, would returnfrom school, the aroma of dinnercooking and sometimes home-

made cookies or date breadwould welcome us as we enteredthe house. When dad came homewe would rush to greet him toreceive hugs. Bedtime was al-ways the same time except forspecial occasions when my bro-thers and sister would have achaperoned party and playedgames and danced. They wereolder teens then and alcohol wasabsent, yet they always had somuch fun! My grandpa Pat wasthere during a party, holdingdown the fort, and regaled us allwith stories of his childhoodsuch as dipping a pupil’s braidin the ink well or watching theblacksmith toil away. After thatmy sisters’ and brothers’ palswanted Grandpa Pat to attendtheir next party.

Children in those days weren’tshunted off to highly organizedsports such as hockey and base-ball or dancing lessons which areprevalent today. My sister and Iwent to Brownie and later Guidemeetings once a week and wetook piano lessons but that wasit. Playing outside using our im-aginations was the most fun. Wedidn’t have TV then so there wasonly radio to listen to when wewere allowed to turn on a child-ren’s programme.

When our children were grow-ing up we all ate together, sinceany events they went to didn’tcollide with supper time andwhen they became teenagers wewould discuss many subjectsincluding what was going on in

the world. We often went walk-ing at Rondeau park in the win-ter and would have picnics andswim in the lake during the sum-mer. We teased our son, Bryan,about getting so caught up exam-ining something along the waythat we would all have to waitimpatiently for him to catch up.Computers were gradually enter-ing the homes of a few families butthey didn’t do much. We took ourkids to museums, pioneer villa-ges, and fairs and when they visi-ted their grand-parents in thecity they loved going on thesubway.

Children then were used to in-teracting with each other whenthey went skating, swimming orparticipated in other sports thatwere less formal and less exp-ensive to participate in... unliketo-day. More parent started towork outside the home in the se-venties but many of us chose tostay home and were there to hearabout our children’s day andlisten to their concerns. Manymoms volunteered for severalhours each week either at theschool, the Church or at thenursery school.

Nowadays it’s different. Fam-ily dynamics have changed overthe ages from the stone age whena teen might have disagreedwith something a parents said,rolled her eyes and said “Ugh,”to modern times today wheremany teens lives evolve aroundelectronic devices such asFacebook, Twitter, cell phones,the internet and Skype.Generations Y and X in themodern world don’t know lifewithout these devices. And ifelectricity was suddenly not av-ailable they would be completely

lost.Pope Francis commenting on

the current reality of the familysays: “Faithful to Christ’s teach-ing we look to the reality of thefamily today in all its complexity,with both its lights and shadows... Anthropological and culturalchanges in our times influenceall aspects of life and call for ananalytic and diversified appro-ach.” Several decades ago, theSpanish bishops noted that fam-ilies have come to enjoy greaterfreedom “through an equitabledistribution of duties, responsibi-lities and tasks”; indeed, “a grea-ter emphasis on personal comm-unication between spouses helpsto make family life more hu-mane”, while “neither today’ssociety, nor that to which we areprogressing allow an uncriticalsurvival of older forms andmodels.” It is also evident that“the principal tendencies inanthropological-cultural chan-ges,” are leading “individuals inpersonal and family life, toreceive less and less supportfrom social structures than in thepast.” (AL 32)

Electronic devices have bothnegative and positive uses. Onefamily I know is so completelycaught in the web of electronicequipment that they hardly com-municate with each other at all.


The kids take their gaming dev-ices to visit their grandparentsand other relatives and reallydon’t interact with the older peo-ple. Even when they play withtheir peers they text each otherand play games and seldom playoutside in the sunshine. Even atbedtime they take their iphonesto bed and because they do nothave a regular bed-time theysometimes stay up too late. Andthe bright lights of their deviceskeep their brains stimulated ra-ther than allowing a dark roomto sooth them to sleep. Lack ofenough sleep is bad for everyonebut especially school-aged child-ren and teens.

On the other hand, a motherwho escaped from Iran severalyears ago is not afraid to limither children’s devices as well asTV. She is a doctor and realizeshow much watching too muchTV as well as using the internetand playing games too often canstifle their creativity. Both herchildren learned to play the vio-lin when they were very young andnow play beautifully and the boyis touring with a youth orchestrabesides getting excellent marks inschool. Both seem to be well-adj-usted teens that also play sportsto round out their activities.

Many families find that evendinner-time is interrupted bymedia distractions such as cellphones, texting and e-mails. Ifparents want to save a stress-free time to communicate withtheir children during dinner theymust be strong enough to declarethat all devices must be turnedoff during a meal or family time.Parents often try to be theirchildren’s friends and forget thatthey must be the parents and set

certain boundaries.An excellent example of an

electronic device being used toimprove communication in thefamily is Skype. A friend’s pa-rents live one thousand milesaway from their grandchildrenbut they communicate with themregularly with Skype whichallows both parties to talk face toface on the computer once aweek. They can also e-mail ortext their grandchildren andhave established a close relation-ship with their faraway pals.Besides helping with communi-cation skills over long distancescomputers can be used to helpchildren as well as adults to doresearch using the internet butthe information being used mustcome from a trustworthy source.Also parents can keep an eye ontheir older children when theyare out and if a teen gets into adangerous or unhealthy situa-tion they can call or text theirparents to pick them up.

Social skills can be adverselyaffected by too much time gam-ing, texting or being on the inter-net. When teens are not interac-ting with the outside world en-ough they cannot practice socialskills and may even becomedepressed more easily accordingto some child experts. They alsomay not do as well in their schoolwork. The brain releases dopa-mine which is related to focusand attention so when childrenbecome too immersed in theelectronic world their brainsbecome desensitised by stimulussurges and they are less able toconcentrate on less excitingbookwork.

In the above mentioned Apos-tolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia

Pope Francis goes on: “Dialogueis essential for experiencing andfostering love in marriage andfamily life. Yet it can only be thefruit of a long and demandingapprenticeship. Men and wo-men, young people and adults,communicate differently. Theyspeak different languages andthey act in different ways. Ourway of asking and responding toquestions, the tone we use, ourtiming and any number of otherfactors condition how well wecommunicate. We need to deve-lop certain attitudes that expresslove and encourage authenticdialogue. (AL 136)

Families can do things to allowmore interaction together inmany ways. A game night usingcards or playing board gamessuch as Trivial Pursuit can bringfamily members together. A fam-ily night can be scheduled oncea week or more. Parents can asktheir pre-teens or teens to helpout with chores such as rakingleaves or shoveling snow or clea-ning up garbage that has collec-ted around the house. This notonly gives them more fresh airbut also a sense of purpose bycontributing to their familythrough physical work. TV, com-puter and game time can be res-tricted to a certain amount oftime, especially on school nights.Families could go on walks to-gether to appreciate nature andget some exercise playing sportstogether but cell phones andother devices should be banned.Around the holidays such asThanksgiving and Easter, allfamily members could worktogether while also having fun bydecorating the home and bakingand preparing special dishes for

the event.I love to see a young mother or

caregiver pushing a child in apram or stroller while they talkand pay attention to the little oneby pointing out the pretty but-terfly, the bug crawling up a treeand other gifts God has given usthrough nature. Parents givegood example by not constantlytexting, or playing games on thecomputer or looking things up onthe internet. They take time to beavailable to their children andinteract with them.

Stress can build up to an un-be-arable degree when family mem-bers are stuck in their own littleworlds and when the children’sactivities are too numerous thatthey don’t have room for downtime to just relax Family life be-comes too frantic for both par-ents and children. Memories ofthe family are built on the acti-vities they do together. I doubtanyone would want to take pict-ures of everyone in the familycaught up with an electronic de-vice. In our super-paced freneticage we need to slow down andsavour life. We need to interactwith other people and natureand enjoy the real world whichis far more interesting then thevirtual world. And we need Godto guide us to bring our childrenup to be well rounded, creativeand knowledgable about historyand other topics.

Families are precious and weneed to value them and defendthem to set an example for futuregenerations. If we communicatewell with family members in-cluding the extended family ourchildren will be blessed withhappy memories to dwell on intheir adult years.


WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUSWHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUSWHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUSWHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUSWHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUSby Melanie D’Souza

With four moves over the lasttwelve months, I’ve had

some serious downsizing to do. Itgave me the opportunity to reeva-luate not only my worldly belon-gings but also the friendships I’vehad all these years.

Maybe you share the same senti-ment or maybe you don’t - but some-times it is possible to stay strongfriends with those you haven’t seenor kept in touch with a while. Andwhen you do meet, it seems likenothing had ever changed! WhileI’ve learnt to master long distancefriendships as an internationalstudent, I’ve also now learnt tothink about my friendships differ-ently than ever before.

Weird as it may sound, this iswhy I’ve learnt to enjoy those ‘un-bearably’ long transcontinentalflights and cross-country busrides. Each time I alight, havingdone the same thing: temporarilymade friends with the stranger bymy side - embarking on a story-telling journey even if I am nevergoing to cross paths with them ag-ain. Sure, I might be more comfor-table doing so than most folks - butit definitely makes the ride more in-teresting. Why? Because it is easy tosee to see the benefit in learning fromothers’ life stories and backgroundsdifferent from your own!

Most of us grow in places withpeople exactly like us. Similar fa-milies, demographic. If you grewup Catholic in Bandra or SouthMumbai, India, chances are youattended convent school like thefamily members before you, gearup for a Catholic college educa-tion in one of those beautiful Go-thic buildings. You may have dif-ferent ambitions from your peersbut it’s only when you actuallyleave your nest that you realisewhat the world has to offer, right?

It was only when I shipped my-self three continents and ten-something time zones away, thatI realised that it was entirely pos-sible to enjoy a great friendshipwith people completely unlike me.Often for most of us, this firstbrush with someone different,someone new comes in form ofThe College Roommate.

University of Paris, 1529. Threeyoung men kickstart what be-comes a friendship to remember. AsThe Jesuit Guide to Almost Everythingtells us, Ignatius Loyola, Pierre Fav-re and Francis Xavier show uswhat it is to be ‘Friends in theLord’, an Ignatius label. WhileIgnatius was significantly older, inhis late 30s, than the two othersin their young 20s, he also was astark contrast to his friends’

personalities, thanks to his intensesoldier-like avatar and stricthabits. Francis, having come stra-ight from his home in a Spanishcastle, brought his pride, worldli-ness and enthusiasm along withhim - which you would think wasenough to overwhelm Pierre whocame from a humble, simple, agri-cultural background. Yet thesecollege roommates show us thatthe greatest of friends need notbe cut from the same cloth. Theyalso had much to learn from eachother regarding their differentspiritual journeys. While one ofthem had seen less of the worldand his relationship with God wasone that stemmed from his cradlefaith, the other had experiencedthe world enough to undergo adramatic conversion of faith.

Sound Familiar Yet?Think about the significant div-

ersity in the ‘friendships’ that youhave now! The friends of occasion- that friend from high school youoccasionally Facebook message,those friends you meet back inyour hometown or at a reunionthat make you feel that time stoodstill. On the other hand, there arefriends of convenience who are stillas essential - peers at work, commu-ter buddies, neighbours and room-mates. Some of us even consider tea-chers, employers and family asclose companions.

While we treasure these friend-ships across the various spheres oflife that we occupy, we also treatthem differently based on our per-sonalities. All the same, we knowtoo well that the choices in our lifewe make and the characters weadopt have a great deal to do withour friendships - despite how in-dependent we may try to project

ourselves.Time and money aren’t the only

way to value these friendships.The ongoing political climate inthe U.S., my current location,showed me how Catholics as aclose-knit group can become pol-arised. It’s unfortunate to see howpeople disregard valuable friend-ships and faith over man-madepolitical issues of morality. There-fore it is time, we took steps tocheck our friendships.

Be unafraid of judgement - whatmanmade religion can bring withit. Team up with your friends tobe more than just average Massbuddies - share some of the strug-gles that you have despite your be-liefs and opinions. You might bein the same boat! Avoid drama andlearn when to walk away from toxicrelationships. It’s easier than youthink- know when the basic tenets offriendship seem scarce: respect andmutual understanding. Use your fri-endship as a great way to not onlyteach one another about each other,but to learn about yourself. Your fri-end can be your mirror, your mor-al sounding board!

Jesus shows us a great exampleof how we can see God’s creationin every friendship and relation-ship that we have. He befriendedtax collectors, Roman soldiers,Pharisees - so different from Him-self- yet with a love so deep. It stillstands that at times, it is hard topursue and retain friendshipswith those who think differentlyfrom us. However, it helps to rem-ember that we were all wonder-fully made by Him- irrespective ofour religious and worldly beliefs!Show each other the compassionand appreciation they deserve-there’s no better way to love Himthan to respect his creation.


SALESIANSALESIANSALESIANSALESIANSALESIANSAINTSSAINTSSAINTSSAINTSSAINTS

ANDREWANDREWANDREWANDREWANDREWBELTRAMIBELTRAMIBELTRAMIBELTRAMIBELTRAMI1870 - 18971870 - 18971870 - 18971870 - 18971870 - 1897

H e was born in Omegna(Novara) on Lake Orla on

June 24, 1870. Andrew possesseda lively temperament. At thirteenhe entered the Salesian Collegeof Lanzo, where he spent threeyears continuing the studies thathe had begun and graduated toclassical studies which hecompleted with excellent results.He had a firm will power and hespent happy years at the houseof Lanzo. Writing to his motherhe said: “In this college I am veryhappy because I have found theright answer to some of my deep-est aspirations: a serious spiritualpath, a strong sacramental exp-erience and an invigorating fam-ily environment. He showedsigns of a genuine vocation. Aftera long talk with Don Bosco hedecided become a Salesian. “Thegrace of a vocation,” he wouldlater write, “was for me a whollyunique grace. The Lord had putinto my heart a firm persuasionand an intimate conviction thatthe only way for me was to be-come a committed Salesian.” Hewas the eldest of ten children.His parents were deeply Christ-ian however they struggled toaccept that their son wanted tobecome a Salesian. Ultimately hisfaith prevailed. His motheraccompanied him from theSalesian house of Foglizzo andhanded him over to the NoviceMaster.

In 1886 he began his novitiateand received his cassock at thehands of Don Bosco himself whowould say of the young novice:“There is only one Beltrami.” OnOctober 2, 1887, as was the cus-tom, he made his profession toour holy founder. “From thismoment, I promise you,” he toldhis Novice Master, “I will doublemy efforts to become a saint. Notwhat appeals to me but every-thing that pleases the Lord.” Inthe two years (1888-1889) hespent in Turin-Valsalice he com-pleted the two-year course as aprivate student. At this time hecame to know a Polish Prince,now Blessed Augustus Czartor-yski, who had recently enteredthe Congregation. He wouldcontract tuberculosis and wouldsoon meet Fr Beltrami. Theybecame good friends and thelatter would become his guar-dian angel at Turin-Valsalice andin other places where the patient

had to stay. The two developeda deep spiritual friendship, beingof deep fraternal assistance toeach other. It was not hard toimagine the influence that FrAugustus exercised on theyoung Andrew, strengtheninghis faith, teaching him to sufferout of love and graduallyinstilling in him a spirituality ofrepa-ration that was to becomea cha-racteristic specific toBeltrami. When in turn Beltramitook ill with the same disease,among the probable causes wemust also count that he wasfrequently in the company ofAugustus.

It was a cold February day in1891 when the first symptoms ofthe disease revealed itself thatwould eventually lead to hisdeath. He was only 20 years old!He was promptly taken care ofand he seemed to improve. Butit was not long before the diseaseprogressed inexorably. He wroteto his mother: “I know my healthcondition is unfortunate thoughthere is an indication of aremission but how mistaken wewere! The Lord has given me thissickness and I don’t want to behealed. It is the folly of the Cross.In eternity we will know thereason.”

He only feared that he wouldnot have the time to become apriest and so the superiors, verywisely, while making novenasfor his healing, also hastened hispreparation with the necessarydispensations to admit him to thepriesthood and it took place onJanuary 8, 1893. He was not yet23 years old. He was ordained inthe rooms of Don Bosco by Mon-signor Giovanni Cagliero, thefirst Salesian Bishop and later

Cardinal. From then on it wasCalvary: a long ordeal of fiveyears. During this five-yearperiod he advanced in sanctitythanks to the acceptance, loveand offering of his suffering. Hehad a strong will which manifes-ted itself in all his trials. Avehement desire for holiness con-sumed his painful existencewhich was filled with incessantwork too. His room became hisentire world, in it he wrote andcelebrated his Mass.

His room was near the chapel,so he could see the Tabernacle.He spent long periods of silentadoration before that Taber-nacle.

February 20, 1897, anniversaryof his illness, he wanted to go tocelebrate Mass in the Basilica ofMary Help of Christians. It washis last outing. After this hegradually got worse. On Decem-ber 29, his situation worsened.During the night he got up byhimself and put on his cassockand reclined on his bed. Deathcame to him on the morning ofDecember 30 in the presence ofsome of his confreres. He was 27years old. Just three monthsearlier Therese of Lisieux haddied at age 24 consumed by thesame disease.

Don Beltrami announces to theSalesian Family the difficultmessage of redemptive suff-ering, indeed pain that can bemysteriously joyful in propor-tion to the love with which youaccept it. “Believe,” he wrote oneday to his rector don Scappini,“in the midst of the pain, I’mcompletely and fully happy, so Ican smile when people come tooffer me their condolences andhope for healing.”


PROFILES

ST PEDRO DE SAN JOSE DE BETANCURApril 18

Many saints have given us anexample of a life of poverty

following Jesus Christ. They havealso been able to recognize thefeatures of the child of Bethlehemin the faces of the poor. On July3, 2002, in Guatemala, the PopeSaint John Paul II canonizedSaint Pedro de Betancur, a Third-Order Franciscan, founder of theOrder of Bethlehem, who,through his love for Christ, tookup the cause of the poor.

Making himself smallPedro de San Jose de Betancur

was born on the island of Tene-rife, part of the Spain’s CanaryIslands, which lie southwest ofMorocco. He was born in thevillage of Villaflor on March 21,1621, and was baptized the sameday. His parents were ferventChristians for whom faith andGod’s love were the greatest ofriches. The five children, ofwhom Pedro was the eldest, hadright before their eyes their fath-er’s ardent prayer, as well astheir mother’s sacrifices for thepoor. Pedro’s character was in-fluenced by certain qualities thatcame to him probably from one

of his grandfathers, a Normangentleman who had conqueredthe Canary Islands in the serviceof Henry III of Castile. Pride, thedesire to always be in the spot-light, the instinct for victory anddomination, the inclination tomake decisions alone but severeasceticism, sustained by grace,helped him correct these faultsand practice the virtues of hum-ility, simplicity, and obedience.

While still quite young, the boylooked after his father’s flockwhich he led to the valleys andbeaches of the island. This con-tact with nature developed inhim a capacity for wonder andcalm contemplation of God increation. After his father’s death,Pedro left his work as a shepherdto farm the family’s small pro-perty. One day he heard BrotherLuis de Betancur, a relative, spe-ak about America, about its for-ests and its wealth, but also aboutthe American Indians and Blackswho were reduced to slavery. Aprofound compassion for theseunfortunate ones and a desire togo evangelize them was born inhis heart.

However, Mrs. de Betancurwas making marriage plans forher son. Pedro did not share hismother’s intention. Finally, anaunt pointed out to her nephewthe road to the sea and affirmed,“You must go meet God likePeter on the water.” Filled withjoy, Pedro boarded a ship to crossthe Atlantic. Before he left, hewrote to his mother that a great-er love and a service of utmostimportance was pressing him toleave everything. He boarded aship and signed on as a cabin-boyto pay for the voyage. He workedso ardently and his kindness wassuch that when the ship arrivedat its destination, the command-er did not want to give him hisfreedom. Shortly thereafter, hecame down with such terriblefevers that they had to disembarkhim on a beach in Guatemala, acountry in Central America thatbelonged to Spain at the time.

A witness to the suffering ofslaves condemned to forced lab-our, he was interested in their

fate. He sought to improve theirsituation with his own salary,taught them with kindness, andrecited the Rosary with them soas to change their depravedmorals.

At the foot of the crucifixOne day he knocked on the

door of the Franciscan monas-tery. Father Fernando Espinowelcomed him with kindlinessand, observing the depth of theyoung man’s spirituality, invitedhim to study for the priesthood.He entered the Third Order ofSaint Francis, taking their habitin January 1655 before with-drawing to EI Calvario Church,where he assumed the role ofsacristan. Pedro spent hours inadoration before a very express-ive crucifix which was veneratedin the sanctuary. In his free time,he performed works of mercy,looking after all the deprived,visiting hospitals, prisons, thepoor, the hungry, and unemplo-yed immigrants. He taught child-ren their catechism with songsand games. Little by little, hiskindness and his reputation forholiness drew throngs of peopleto EI Calvario.

Brother Pedro bought, in Feb-ruary 1658, a very poor house,which he named “The LittleHouse of Our Lady of Bethle-hem.” He welcomed there streetchildren, whites, mestizos, Creo-les, blacks. Soon, students, foreig-ners, and poor convalescents whohad been turned away fromhospitals were streaming there.Thus did this man with littleformal schooling become thefounder of the first free basic lit-eracy school in Central America,and founder of the first convales-


IN A CHEERFUL MOODcence hospital in the Spanishterritories in the New World. Hissuccess was such that he quicklyhad to expand the location.Thanks to gifts, Pedro acquiredneighbouring houses. Trustingin Providence, he did not look forfixed revenues, but relied upon thegenerosity of wealthy familieswhich took turns providing foodevery day for the destitute wholived there.

He who will live, will seeFather Manuel Lobo, a Jesuit

who was Brother Pedro de Betan-cur’s spiritual director for fifteenyears, wrote, “It was because ofthe great devotion he professedto the mystery of the birth of theSon of God, that, inspired fromHeaven, he gave his establish-ment the name of Our Lady ofBethlehem.” He gladly welcom-ed these companions and organ-ized a very simple common lifein which prayer and penitencealternated with works of corpo-ral charity. His desire was tobuild a real hospital especiallyfor convalescents who stillneeded care and had to recoverboth their physical strength andthe health of their soul. Thebishop granted the permissionand work began immediately.

The greatest service of GodDuring construction of the

hospital, Pedro continued to per-form works of mercy. He provid-ed hospitals and prisons withprovisions, assisted the dying,restored harmony in dividedhouseholds, and convened pros-titutes, for whom he obtainedmeans of making an honestliving. He gave special attentionto those who were in a situation

of greater weakness, and conseq-uently of greater need.

Another of the humble Tertia-ry’s apostolates was to travelthrough the streets of the city atnight, ringing a bell and shoutingthis warning: “Brothers, remem-ber that we have a soul, and if welose it, we will not be able toregain it.” In this way, he remin-ded everyone of the great thou-ght of eternity and brought aboutconversions.

On April 20, 1667, Pedro,weakened by his tireless work,came down with bronchopneu-monia. Seeing death coming, hedesignated Rodrigo of the Crosshis successor and, blessing himwith the words “May God makeyou humble!” he outlined forhim the guiding principles thathe needed to maintain the workhe had undertaken. On April 25,he rendered his soul to God in arapture. Rodrigo of the Crossfaithfully executed the founder’swishes and wrote the constitu-tions of the Order of Bethlehem.He accepted Sisters as well asBrothers. In 1674, Pope ClementX approved the rules of bothcommunities.

A legacy that cannot be lostAt his canonization St John

Paul II said: “Brother Pedro is alegacy that cannot be lost. Hemust be the subject of continu-ous gratitude; he must be imita-ted with renewed purpose. Thislegacy must inspire amongChristians and among all citiz-ens the desire to transform thehuman community into a largefamily within which the dignityof the person is promotedthrough effective recognition ofhis inalienable rights.”

It’s all changedMary: “I thought you and Tessieweren’t speaking to each other.”Roberta: “Oh, yes, we are now. Iwanted to find out what Elsietold her about me.”

Correction, please!Violet: “What is your worst fault,my dear?Vera: “My vanity. I spend hoursbefore the mirror admiring mybeauty.Violet: “That isn’t vanity, that’sjust imagination.”

Quite strange welcome“Do make yourselves at home,ladies,” said a lady one day to hervisitors. “I’m at home myself,and I would like you all to be.”

Turns out all right“I do hope that my visits aren’tboring to your husband, Juliadear?”“Oh, no, indeed. However dejec-ted he is when you come, he’salways happy when you go.”

Great hopes“Well, and how are you gettingon with your courtship of thebanker’s daughter?”The young suitor beamedhappily. “Not so bad,” he replied.“I’m getting some encourage-ment now.”“Really?” put in his friend. “Isshe beginning to smile sweetly onyou, or somthing?”“Not exactly,” replied the youngman, “but last night she told meshe had said “no!” for the lasttime.”

Just the same“Betty,” said the father, “youryoung man, Freddy, stays until avery late hour. Hasn’t yourmother said anything to youabout this?”“Yes, daddy,” replied Bettysweetly. “Mother says menhaven’t changed a bit.”

Back where it belongsSuitor (sighing): “Well, since youdon’t want to marry me after all,perhaps you’ll return my ring.”Girl (acidly): “If you must know,your jeweller has called for italready.”

Just wait for some moreHe was a bit shy, and after shehad thrown her arms aroundhim and kissed him for brinigngher a bouquet of flowers, he aroseand started to leave.“I am sorry I offended you,” shesaid.“Oh, I’m not offended,” hereplied, “I’m going for moreflowers.”

What truly mattersHe had proposed. She tossed herhead haughtily.“You!” came her scornful reply.“You want to marry me?”“Yes,” murmured her lover.“But my dear boy,” she went on,“You’ve only known me threedays.”“Oh, much longer than thatreally!” he said. “I’ve been to thebank where your father has hisaccount, for years.”


LOVE CONQUERS DEATHby Mattia Principe

“If Christ has not risen, then our faith is in vain and we

are not to be believed.” Paul’swords express very eloquentlythe only foundation of our Chris-tian Faith in the resurrection ofJesus Christ from the dead andour celebration of Easter, thefeast of all feasts, and everyone’shope of a life without end.

At the hour of Jesus’ death,there were just a few women atthe foot of the cross – amongthem Mary Magdalene – and thedisciple whom Jesus loved. Thesefew faithful ones were those whodid not believe that that therabbi, the prophet from Nazarethwhom they so dearly loved haddied such an ignominious death.Death seemed to have had thelast word in the story of Jesus; inthat life that was meant to depictso perfectly the true face of God.

But there was still someone

who did not give up: “On the firstday of the week, Mary ofMagdala came to the tomb whileit was still dark” (Jn 20, 1). Butwho was Mary Magdalene? Shewas a woman with a terriblepast; liberated from “sevendemons” thanks to herencounter with Jesus. Sheconsequently began a new life byinstantly following Jesus as hisdisciple, something scandalousaccording to the Jewish custom.The Gospels say nothing moreabout this unusual follower.Tradition will identify MaryMagdalene as a prostitute, theone who washed the feet of Jesus,the “one who had her many sinsforgiven her because she hadloved much” (Lk,7, 47).

It was she who came back tothe tomb. The fourth Gospelreveals the profound motive forher action: Mary Magdalene

went to the tomb becauseshe could not resign herselfto the idea that the manshe loved so dearly haddied and lo and behold,“she saw the stone rolledaway from the tomb!” Herimmediate reaction: “Sheran and went to tell SimonPeter and the otherdisciple.” She spoke tothem with words thatcould have appeared to bea hallucination, almostincredible, yet it was herintense love that causedanother trip to the tomb,this time it was that ofPeter and the BelovedDisciple. Even in this case it wasmotivated by love.

Peter, probably, despite havingseen the shroud and the cloththat covered Jesus’ face, had notunderstood the extraordinaryevent, but for the beloveddisciple things were different.“He went in and the otherdisciple who reached the tombfirst saw and he believed.” Weare presented here with thefulfilment of the promise of Jesus:“He who loves me will be lovedby my Father, I will come to himand manifest myself to him” (Jn14: 21). If it is true that “faithcomes from hearing,” here weunderstand that faith is born oflove; only a love for Jesuspermits us to understand thedepth of the Scriptures and todiscern from the empty tombthat Christ is risen.

We find Mary “near the tomb”weeping and seeking Jesus. A

stubborn love, perhaps amistaken quest; yet all this seemsto “compel” the Risen Lord toreveal himself through a word:“Mary.” The voice that hadgiven her life was the voice of theone who is now risen from thedead and is alive forever andMary goes to grasp his feet andexclaims: “Rabbuni, Master!”Then she hurries to tell thedisciples about the resurrection.She is “the apostle to theapostles” as the Church traditionaffirms.

Mary’s joyous proclamationand the gaze of faith of theBeloved Disciple have spannedcenturies; it still recounts the factthat the word which is the GoodNews is meant for all humanity.“God raised Jesus,” life isstronger than death, love isstronger than death! This shouldbe the Easter Song that Christiansshould sing.

Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb because she cannot resign herself tothe idea that the man she loved is no more. Lo and behold, “she saw

that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb!”

The Risen Jesus tells Mary Madgalene:“Do not touch me,” ceramic of Giovanni

della Robbia, XVI Century, Florence,National Museum of Bargello


I DESIRE MERCY NOT SACRIFICEI DESIRE MERCY NOT SACRIFICEI DESIRE MERCY NOT SACRIFICEI DESIRE MERCY NOT SACRIFICEI DESIRE MERCY NOT SACRIFICE

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!We have heard the Gospel account of the call of Matthew. Matthewwas a “publican”, namely, a tax collector on behalf of the RomanEmpire, and for this reason was considered a public sinner. But Jesuscalls Matthew to follow him and to become his disciple. Matthewaccepts, and invites Jesus along with the disciples to have dinner athis house. Thus an argument arises between the Pharisees and thedisciples of Jesus over the fact that the latter sits at the table with taxcollectors and sinners. “You cannot go to these people’s homes!”, theysaid. Jesus does not stay away from them, but instead goes to theirhouses and sits beside them; this means that they too can become hisdisciples. It is likewise true that being Christian does not render usflawless. Like Matthew the tax collector, each of us trusts in the graceof the Lord regardless of our sins. We are all sinners, we have all sinned.By calling Matthew, Jesus shows sinners that he does not look at theirpast, at their social status, at external conventions, but rather, he opensa new future to them. I once heard a beautiful saying: “There is nosaint without a past nor a sinner without a future”. This is what Jesusdoes. There is no saint without a past nor a sinner without a future. Itis enough to respond to the call with a humble and sincere heart. TheChurch is not a community of perfect people, but of disciples on ajourney, who follow the Lord because they know they are sinners andin need of his pardon. Thus, Christian life is a school of humility whichopens us to grace.

Such behaviour is not understood by those who have the arroganceto believe they are “just” and to believe they are better than others.Hubris and pride do not allow one to recognize him - or herself as inneed of salvation, but rather prevent one from seeing the merciful faceof God and from acting with mercy. They are a barrier. Hubris andpride are a barrier that prevents a relationship with God. Yet, this isprecisely Jesus’ mission: coming in search of each of us, in order toheal our wounds and to call us to follow him with love. He says soexplicitly: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but thosewho are sick” (v. 12). Jesus presents himself as a good physician! Heproclaims the Kingdom of God, and the signs of its coming are clear:He heals people from disease, frees them from fear, from death, andfrom the devil. Before Jesus, no sinner is excluded — no sinner isexcluded! Because the healing power of God knows no infirmity thatcannot be healed; and this must give us confidence and open our heartto the Lord, that he may come and heal us.

By calling sinners to his table, he heals them, restoring to them thevocation that they believed had been lost and which the Pharisees had

forgotten: that of being guests at God’s banquet. According to theprophecy of Isaiah: “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make forall peoples a feast of fat things...” (25:6, 9).

When the Pharisees see only sinners among the invited, and refuseto be seated with them, Jesus to the contrary reminds them that theytoo are guests at God’s table. Thus, sitting at the table with Jesus meansbeing transformed and saved by him. In the Christian community thetable of Jesus is twofold: there is the table of the Word and there is thetable of the Eucharist (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 21). These are the medicineswith which the Divine Physician heals us and nourishes us. With thefirst — the Word — He reveals himself and invites us to a dialogueamong friends. Jesus was not afraid to dialogue with sinners, taxcollectors, prostitutes.... No, he was not afraid: he loved everyone! HisWord permeates us and, like a scalpel, operates deep in the heart so asto free us from the evil lurking in our life. At times this Word is painfulbecause it discloses deception, reveals false excuses, lays bare hiddentruths; but at the same time it illuminates and purifies, gives strengthand hope; it is an invaluable tonic on our journey of faith. The Eucharist,for its part, nourishes us with the very life of Jesus, like an immenselypowerful remedy and, in a mysterious way, by approaching theEucharist we are nourished with the Body and Blood of Jesus, and byentering us, Jesus joins us to his Body!

Concluding that dialogue with the Pharisees, Jesus reminds them ofa word of the prophet Hosea (6:6): “Go and learn what this means, ‘Idesire mercy, and not sacrifice’” (Mt 9:13). Jesus also applies thisprophetic phrase to human relationships: the Pharisees were veryreligious in form, but were not willing to sit at the table with taxcollectors and sinners; they did not recognize the opportunity formending their ways and thus for healing; they did not place mercy inthe first place: although being faithful guardians of the Law, theyshowed that they did not know the heart of God! It is as though youwere given a parcel with a gift inside and, rather than going to openthe gift, you look only at the paper it is wrapped in: only appearances,the form, and not the core of the grace, of the gift that is given!

Dear brothers and sisters, all of us are invited to the table of the Lord.Let us make our own this invitation and sit beside the Lord togetherwith his disciples. Let us learn to look with mercy and to recognizeeach of them as fellow guests at the table. We are all disciples whoneed to experience and live the comforting word of Jesus. We all needto be nourished by the mercy of God, for it is from this source that oursalvation flows. Thank you!

Pope Francis’ Wednesday Audience, April 13, 2016


THE MAN WHO GOT WHAT HE WANTEDTHE MAN WHO GOT WHAT HE WANTEDTHE MAN WHO GOT WHAT HE WANTEDTHE MAN WHO GOT WHAT HE WANTEDTHE MAN WHO GOT WHAT HE WANTEDFrom Fr. Ian Doulton's collection of stories

This is the story of a man whogot what he wanted. He

thought he got it for nothing. Hereare the facts. Read the story andsee what you think.

Eddie Stanford always thoughthe was a pretty wise guy. He knewwhat he wanted and he was outto get it without any help fromanybody. He used to argue withTed, the fellow who worked withhim, his night manager at a fillingstation and repair shop.

This was what the conversationsounded like one late night whenthings were slack:

“Ted…hey Ted, what’s thematter, why is Henderson’s wreckback in the shop again?” Ted toldhim that he had complained thatit wasn’t running right since itcame back from here. Ted con-tinued: “I told him we’d do somemore work on it.” Eddie was fur-ious: “You tell him he can takethat pile of junk right out of heretomorrow morning. It will take usall day to tie that bunch of boltstogether and he hasn’t got themoney to pay for a first class jobeither.”

Ted tried to make Eddie under-stand that Henderson needed thattruck. Eddie shot back: “Then tellhim to take it down to Vick’s. LetVick work on it all day for pea-nuts.”

Ted too was losing patiencewith Eddie’s hardnosed attitude:“Ok, ok… Vick doesn’t minddoing a favour for a guy who’sshort on cash.”

Eddie’s policy, and he made nosecret of it was that he did nothingfor free. Then he said something

that made Ted sit up: “Well, if Ihad the setup Vick has, Ted, I couldmake a million.”

Ted came over to hear Eddie sayit again: “You’re still thinking ofbuying that garage of his?” Vickwouldn’t sell that for anything. Hesays, it took five years to get a placeof his own.”

Eddie started making fun ofVick’s hardworking style. “Canyou picture yourself feeling hun-gry or thirsty and saying, ‘God, giveme a cup of coffee out of the gaspumps or something else…?’ Or‘God, I want a new job?’ Or will youdream that you will turn aroundand a car drives up and some bigshot says: ‘You’re just the man Ineed, come to work in the morningand I’ll pay you all the dough youwant?’” Eddie shook his head andwent on: “No, life doesn’t work outthat way, Ted. Its dog eat dog anddon’t you forget it! The guy has toknow what he wants and he hasto fight for it.” Ted was so surethat Vick prized his garage somuch that he told Eddie that hedidn’t stand a chance of gettingVick’s garage. There were plentyof big offers but Vick wouldn’tsell. Besides Ted knew that Eddiedidn’t have the capital.

Thinking that Ted was makingfun of Eddie, Eddie shot back: “I’vegot the brains and I got the ambi-tion and someday I’ll get thatgarage!”

The next morning as usual Eddiewent home when everybody wasgoing to work. As he walked homehe saw men waiting for theirbuses. They had their briefcases inhand or knapsacks on their shoul-

ders. There were others wholooked like dumb clerks accordingto Eddie, so he thought, with noth-ing in their heads but working andsleeping and playing around. Ashe went on, with his hands in hispockets Eddie knew he was smar-ter than the guys he had just seenaround the corner. He knew hehad ambition. It didn’t take himlong to get home; home, a flat likea hundred others in the samebuilding, a sixth floor walk-up. Heknocked on the door. He washungry. He heard hurried foot-steps reaching the door and thenit opened. There stood Jane, brightand smart. He asked gruffly:“Breakfast ready, Jane?”

He really looked tired, sleepyand unshaved. She asked: “Didyou have a hard night, honey?”Eddie never gave her a straightanswer only a disgruntled com-ment: “It’s always bad whenyou’re making the dough forsomebody else.” Jane learnt hishabits and his early morninggrouchy comments so she toldhim to lie down awhile till she gothis breakfast ready.

He had hardly lain down whenthere was a knock on the door. Itwas Barney; a simple hardwor-king trucker who lived in thesame building and earned hisliving ferrying produce from afarm outside town to the marketin the market square. “Hi Barney,what’s on your mind?” Eddie tr-ied to put on a smile.

“It’s about my truck, Eddie.Only last week you fixed it. Itshould run fine. I paid you $25 andnow it broke down again.”

“I can’t guarantee work on anold machine like that.”

“I don’t think you put in goodparts, Eddie. I think they were old

and no good when you put themin.”“Who told you that?”“Nobody, I just figured it out in myown head. Would you like me tospread the word around that youused bad parts when you fix cars,Eddie? Would you? I could findlots of people who would agreewith me…”

Eddie felt awkward that he wasput on the spot. “Ok, Ok… saveyour breath. Bring the truck overtomorrow and I’ll go over itagain.”

Barney was a soft spoken manbut as he left, he turned and facedEddie and said firmly: “Eddie, thistime it had better run.”

Jane was listening to this con-versation from the dining roomand she came out as soon asBarney had left. She was upsetand embarrassed and she made nosecret of it: “Eddie, this isn’t thefirst time you used old parts forrepairs. You can’t treat people thatway. You help them, they’ll helpyou.”

Eddie was already upset withBarney’s threat and he turned onJane: “Now look, before you startpreaching there’s something…”There was a loud sound, like anexplosion. It sounded somewherenearby. Eddie got up from the bed.Together with Jane they came tothe window and he opened it tolook out. The sound seemed tohave come from that direction. Hecould see flames. It was theapartment block just two doorsdown. The whole top floor wasburning.

“Hey come on Jane, let’s get outof here before there’s anotherexplosion.”

There was quite a mayhem asthey reached the site. Jane was


shocked: “Eddie look those peoplethey’re hurt. They’re bleeding. I’mgoing to stay and help.”

That was not Eddie’s idea ofcoming down here. “No, no it’stoo dangerous. You can see thecops pushing the people back.Come on.” She was determined:“You go if you want to. I’mstaying.”

She was there practically theentire day. By sundown she ret-urned home exhausted and dirty.She knocked on the door: “Eddie,its Jane…” He sounded amused:“It’s about time, girl scout. You’vebeen gone all day.” She sat downon the sofa and described to Eddiewhat had happened; how theyhad to move everyone out of thebuilding. They found homes foreveryone except one or twopeople. Then she hesitantly plead-ed: “There’s two they can’t findany place for…couldn’t I bringthem here for a couple of days, justuntil the authorities can find someplace for them?” Eddie wasshocked: “No!” Jane seemed hurt.They were neighbours and theywere known to Jane and Eddie.But Eddie was firm: “I said ‘no.’I’ve got enough trying to make aliving as it is. We’re not feedinganybody else.”

Jane couldn’t figure out whathad happened to Eddie. He hadchanged. She was hurt. Shecouldn’t believe that this was thesame man she had married somefive years earlier and she burstinto tears. He simply got up andheaded for the door: “Now don’tstart crying. I’m going to work. Seeyou in the morning.” When thedoor shut, Jane flopped on the bedand wept her heart out: “Oh,please God, make him see howwrong he is. Make him change

before it’s too late. He’s not reallya bad guy….” That was all shesaid before she drifted off into anexhausted sleep.

Vick’s garage…that was all thatwas on Eddie’s mind and he keptafter that garage. His chancefinally came. The boys got Vick ata card game one night. Theystarted passing the bottle around.Vick had all he could do to shufflethe deck when he was sober. Thatnight he lost everything but hisshirt and still he wouldn’t quit.That’s where Eddie used his head.He suggested that Vick still hadsomething left to put up so hecould stay in the game. Vick didjust that. So, a couple of morningslater…

Eddie was all smiles as he stoodin front of his new acquisition. Hethought he could shuffle theworkman around: “Hey, hurry upwith that hammer. I want allthose old signs down today. AndI want some great big new signsthat say ‘Eddie Stanford’s Gar-age.’” That sounded ambitiouseven to the carpenter who wasfixing up the new signage. Theworker muttered “One name’saplenty.” “Maybe one was goodenough for Vick. This isn’t hisplace anymore.”“You got it away from himalright.”“Hmm... Well, that just goes toshow you, you can’t mix businessand pleasure. The man that drinksshouldn’t play cards.”“Well, now that depends on whohe’s playing with.”“It sure does. You tangle with asmarter guy and you lose yourshirt.” He knew no one was listen-ing to him speak his mind. So he

turned to the carpenter once more:“How soon do you figure you’llhave this job done?”

“As fast as I can get rid of you.”Eddie didn’t like that attitude:

“Hey, what’s the matter with you?You act like you don’t want thisjob. What’s the matter with every-body in this town? I pay betterthan anybody around here and Ihave to go outside town to gethelp.”“Lucky I need work as bad as I do.”

Eddie trying to act smart said:“There’s plenty of work for you ifyou just use your head. All youneed is a little ambition. You knowhow I got this place.”“I know so does everybody else.We all like Vick.” But he didn’twant to head into a quarrel so hesimply asked: “Oh, just how bigand beautiful do you want thoseletters?”

That evening, the job complete,Eddie returned home mightypleased with himself: “Jane, it’sEddie, I’m home.” When Janecame out he put his hand on hershoulder: “Hi doll, put on yourcoat. Come and see the new paintjob I had done on the garage. Itlooks swell.” She shrugged him offand simply said: “I’m busy rightnow, Eddie.”“That’s what you say all the time.You’ve never been out of this pla-ce once in all the time I’ve had it.”Jane simply said: “I’ve seengarages before…”“But not my garage! What’s thematter with you? Like you’re noteven proud of me for getting myown place?”Jane was upset: “Not that way?”Eddie was getting rattled: “Whatdo you mean? I won it in a straightgame.”Jane went on: “Vick was drunk.”

Eddie defending himself said:“Sure he was. That’s why he putup the garage.”“And you took it.”“It was all strictly legal. He gavethe deed himself in the presenceof witnesses.”“He’s still out of work. He’s gotfour children.”“Oh, that’s too bad. I’m sorry forhim, but what can I do? Peoplehave to look out for themselves inthis world.” Eddie shook his head:“And nobody else?” Jane was hurtand on the verge of tears.“And their own family, if they’vegot one. You’re going to get a goodliving out of that garage.”

Jane told Eddie that she metVick’s wife everyday and shecouldn’t face her. Everyone intheir small town began to treatJane like an outcast. She wasangry and hurt: “Oh Eddie, whydid you have to make meashamed of you?”

He was enraged: “Ashamed ofme? That’s the way you act afterall I’ve tried to do for you? What’sthe matter with you? You evenwon’t let me talk about the gar-age. Every time I try, you cut medead with something like ‘yourcoffee’s getting cold’ or ‘I tookyour grey suit to the cleaner.’ Youdon’t even talk to me when I comehome. You just sit there and stareat me.”

Then it struck him: “It’s livingin this crazy town that’s makingyou act like that. You know if itwasn’t for the garage, I’d clear outof this place? I don’t get any localtrade anyway. Nobody comes tomy place except tourists, a lot ofstrangers…the old crowd’sbreaking up. They don’t evencome to the house anymore.

WANTED:WANTED:WANTED:WANTED:WANTED: Continued on pg. 32


DON BOSCO,DON BOSCO,DON BOSCO,DON BOSCO,DON BOSCO,MAGICIAN?MAGICIAN?MAGICIAN?MAGICIAN?MAGICIAN?by Natale Cerrato

Scholars of the occult haverecently returned to promi-

nence with the help of the mediathat have touted trades likesorcery and spells, witchcraftand black and white magic. Per-haps the most mysterious city (ofthe time) would have to be Turin,which was the centre (it wassaid) of secret rituals, magic andcults.

In this context, out of curiositywe examine some “paranormal”episodes in the life of Don Bosco,which some say were evenpranks.

This was not something novel.Back in April of 1874 while thesaint left for Rome after havingmade an attempt, on behalf ofthe bishops, to negotiate a com-promise between the Holy Seeand the Italian Government onthe appointment of Bishops, onApril 14, 1874, “Il Fischietto,” (n.45, 4 April 1874, p. 1) a satiricalanticlerical tabloid of Turin, bel-ieving that Don Bosco hadalready returned, welcomed himwith mocking comments abouthis efforts toward conciliation,and viciously styled him amiracle-worker when it came towresting money from pioussimpletons. (EBM X, 242)

They did not want to mistakehim with a certain BartholomewBosco a famous magician, bornin Turin in 1783. He had beenaround the capitals of Europereceiving great acclaim. He diedin Dresden in 1863, a very richman. And “Il Fischietto” a dozenyears later did not miss the

oppor-tunity to make acaricature of Don Bosco,comparing him to the greatillusionist who had sincedeceased.

But the “miraculous” wascertainly present in Don Bosco’slife which was certainly similarto the mysterious traits presentin other saints.

Don Bosco’s MagicIt was accepted on good auth-

ority that Don Bosco used hisconjuring tricks to entertain hisfriends notwithstanding the factthat he once got into serioustrouble. At Chieri, a tailor namedThomas Comino with whomJohn Bosco stayed when he wasa student, had retired but wasamazed at John’s performances.Macaroni turned into bran, wineinto water, money into littlepieces of tin and maybe a livesquawking chicken into jelly.The good Thomas was convincedthat the devil had a hand in thisso he spoke to Fr Luigi Bertinetti,

his neighbour who reported it tothe parish priest of the Cathe-dral, the Canon Burzio.

John was called to an audien-dum verbum, to render an acco-unt of his actions. He reached theCanon’s house as he was prayinghis breviary, so he took advan-tage of the time to prepare him-self for the interview. Then camethe questioning: “They tell methat you know the thoughts ofothers, you can tell how muchmoney is in a pocket, you canchange white to black. Somepeople think you are possessed orunder the influence of the devil.Tell me, how do you do it?” Inresponse John asked him thetime. The Canon put his handinto his pocket but did not findhis watch. “Then can you giveme five soldi?” urged the bud-ding magician. The theologiandug into his pockets and shookthem out...but could not find hispurse. “Ah, you rascal! Youspawn of the devil or slave ofhis...I am forced to denounceyou.”

But John explained: “I’ll ex-plain it all quickly. Just after Icame in, you gave some alms toa beggar. You left your purse onthe prie dieu. Then you went intoanother room, leaving your

watch on that side table. I hidthem both; you thought you hadthem on your person, while theywere really under this lampshade.” So saying, I lifted thelampshade and recovered bothobjects that the devil was sup-posed to have taken away. Thegood canon had a hearty laugh.Finally he told him, “Go and tellyour friends that wonderment isthe result of ignorance” (cfMemoirs of the Oratory 99-100).

The Miracles of Don BoscoDon Bosco accomplished sev-

eral other wonders for which thedexterity of a magician wasn’tenough.

In the month of February 1879while he was in Marseille he en-countered some serious difficul-ties regarding his work in thatseaside town where Father Jos-eph Bologna was Rector of theSalesian house that had recentlyopened. To foil some embarras-sment Providence intervened ina miraculous way to change thesituation. A mother from Astihad brought her child, in a pitia-ble situation: feeble, with rickets;he could barely drag himself oncrutches.

Don Bosco said a few words tocomfort the poor lady; then he

blessed the crippledboy and told him tothrow aside his crut-ches. The boy straigh-tened up, threw aw-ay his crutches andbegan to run aroundthe room. The moth-er, in hysterics, grab-bed his crutches andran after her sonshouting: A miracle!A miracle!


To put it briefly, news of themiracle spread throughout thecity, opening the hearts of theMarseilles to the Salesian work.It was just eight months laterthat Father Bologna dared to askDon Bosco and this was the replyhe received: “You see, Don Boscofelt that he was just gettingnowhere in France, and so he toldOur Lady, “Come now (Là), let’sget started” (cf EBM 14,68).

That expression “Comenow…” (Là in Piedmontese) ispriceless in its conciseness. Itsounds both like a reproach or anadmonition at the same time, anexhortation or a plea, as if to say:“That’s enough, let’s do some-thing.” This reveals the filial trustthat Don Bosco placed in OurLady Help of Christians. He trus-ted her completely. Indeed hehad a certain determination toobtain from God a miracle if amiracle was needed.

Don Bosco really obtained mir-acles like these, but in 1884 whiledrawing up his will, Don Boscowrote to the Salesians:

“I earnestly recommend to allmy sons that they take great carewhen talking or writing, never torelate or assert that Don Boscoever obtained graces from God orperformed any kind of miracle.He would commit a great error.Although God has been abun-dantly generous to me with hisgoodness, I have never claimedto know or do spiritual things. Ihave always experienced thebeneficial influence of the pray-ers and Communions of ourboys” (EBM 17,235).

The Dreams and Prophecies of Don Bosco

The Good Lord wanted to guide

Don Bosco from his early yearsthrough dreams. They were trulyextraordinary and they wereincessantly repeated throughouthis life. He could see in them hismission among youngsters, thefield of his ministry, develop-ment of his work, the future ofhis congregation and of hisfollowers.

He would narrate these dre-ams to his boys in Good Nights,leaving them the liberty tobelieve them or not. He himself,before he gave any credence tocertain dreams, took appropriateprecautions. But Fr JosephCafasso, his spiritual directorand even Pope Pius IX encou-raged him to take them serio-usly. So, were they dreams orvisions? We are at a loss to makea choice, but one thing is certain;after they came to pass, theywould be ridiculed as just thepedagogical exigencies of aneducator’s lively imaginationand great sensitivity.

The dreams sometimes reveal-ed the immanent death of someyoungster. He would announceit without revealing names, notto sow fear, but because hedidn’t think it necessary.

Juvenile mortality in thosedays was very high. Suffice toconsider that in just one year,1854, in Turin alone 783 peoplebetween the ages of 14-25 died,i.e. 10% of the youth population.At Valdocco, from 1855 to 1870around 76 youngsters died, thatmeant an average of 4 to 5 deathsout of an approximate total of500 youngsters, one in every hun-dred, which was significantlylower than the town. Howeverthe presence of death in thehouse was normally a sad fact.

Today, as we know, talk ofdeath is taboo. But the Oratoryof Valdocco at the time of Dom-inic Savio never lacked joy eventhough they experienced theprecariousness of life on earthfrom their early years.

Most of the predictions of DonBosco then, were anything butfunereal. More often they concer-ned the future success and longlife of his children. To littleMichael Rua who grieved at thedeath of his brother John, whothought his end was prematureDon Bosco, who had, at that timeprinted a booklet on the miracleof the Most Holy Sacrament ofTurin said: “In fifty years we willcelebrate the fiftieth anniversaryof the ninth miracle and I will begone. But you will be there. Justremember to reprint my book.And so it happened in 1903!

Then there were those cases, inthe life of Don Bosco which con-cerned happenings outside Val-docco such as “the great courtfunerals” that he saw in a dreamwhile the Parliament of thekingdom of Sardinia waspreparing laws for the forfeitureof church property and suppre-ssion of monasteries. Don Bosco,warned by a mysterious valet ofthe immanent deaths in theRoyal Family, decided to write tothe King for a loan but feared atwhat was about to take place.The death of the Queen MotherMaria Teresa, of the QueenMaria Adelaide, consort of Kingvictor, of his brother, Duke Fer-dinand of Savoy and of his son,only four years old betweenJanuary and May 1855. Could itperhaps be considered a painfuland inexplicable coincidence?But the letter of Don Bosco

preceded those serious bereave-ments of the princely family. Inthat case, Don Bosco did what hisconscience prompted him to dowhile always nurturing greatrespect for the members of theRoyal Family.

Diabolical HarassmentAnother “paranormal” pheno-

menon in the life of Don Boscowas diabolical harassments. Godpermitted the saint to be tor-mented by these diabolical tor-ments as other saints weretormented too.

In 1862 the harassments inten-sified to the point that he spententire nights without any sleepbecause he was prevented fromdoing so by some “pixie spirits”as he called them. Frighteningvoices, impetuous wind thatblew cards off his table, spillingink that stained his manuscripts,a fire that ignited itself in thehearth and spread to burneverything in his room and bedlinen being pulled off bymysterious hands. When DonBosco lit a lamp the tormentsceased but they started againwhen he blew it off. Signs of theCross, prayers, sprinkling holywater brought only temporaryrelief to the terrible harassment.In the morning Don Bosco awokeexhausted but not dismayed. Hehimself told those close to himwhat had happened and whenhe was asked if he was afraid:“Creepy, yes, but not frightened.Let Satan take whatever hewants, this is his time, but mytime will come.” And one beau-tiful day, or one beautiful night,if you will, they will cease (cf MB7, 73). (Il Tempio Di Don Bosco,February 1991)


MARY, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST (1)MARY, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST (1)MARY, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST (1)MARY, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST (1)MARY, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST (1)by Mario Galizzi

“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a

fulfilment of what was spoken toher from the Lord” (Luke 1.45).The first Gospel beatitude isaddressed to Mary and it isattributed to her faith, herassurance and acceptance of theword of God. Because shebelieved whatever the Lord hadsaid would be fulfilled in her. Shecould be the mother of adescendent of David, of theChrist, the Son of the Most High,because she said “Amen;” “Yes”to the word of God. Through her“yes” Mary renders possible the“yes” of the Son of God who wascoming into the world, and hesaid: “Behold I come...to do yourwill, O God” (cf Hebrews 10, 7;Psalm 39, 8-9).

The Bible speaks of Abrahamas the “Father of all whobelieve,” in the Christiancommunity this title isappropriately given to Mary: sheis “the Mother of all whobelieve,” and we may also addthat Mary, because of her faithis the type of believer who is atrue disciple of the Word of God.

This feature is easily

demonstrated. The disciple, infact, is characterized by listeningand accepting the word in afertile and generous heart, aheart which has the ability tograsp and cherish the word,reflecting on it and putting it intopractice, bringing forth fruit withpatience and proclaiming it. Thismeans giving Christ and theSpirit to others (cf Luke 8, 15.21;11, 28; Acts 10: 34-48)

Mary realizes all that. Herlistening to the word of God isreflexive: it immediatelybecomes a listening andconfronting her own life with it,trying to understand hersituation as a virgin and a fiancé:“How can this happen since I ama virgin?” (Luke 1:34) Inlistening, Mary strives tounderstand the will of God in herregard and she understands itand makes herself immediatelyavailable: “Behold the handmaidof the Lord. Let it be done to meas you have said” (Luke 1, 38).She says her free and decisive“yes” to the Word of God whoimmediately “became flesh” inher.

Mary sees and hears what the

shepherds say and the textstresses that “Mary kept all thesethings pondering on them in herheart” (2:19); and again: after theincident at the age of twelve inthe temple and her return withJesus to Nazareth, Luke repeatsthat “Mary kept all these thingsin her heart.” (2, 51)

This is not simply making amental note. The “pondering”(in Greek: symballein, toconfront) means Mary didsomething with what shetreasured in her heart. The verbcould mean that Mary got intouch with her experience,putting together what she hadheard and seen and recalled,trying to interpret them, to delvemore deeply into the plan thatGod had for her and for her sonand progressively adapting herlife to the word of God.

Mary then appears as someonewho hears the word, sensingevery event that happened toJesus, the word of God for her.Sometimes it was not very clear;indeed it even seemedincomprehensible (2:50). Evenfor her, as for every disciple(Luke 18:34) the path is arduous.Only other events, other

revelations of Jesus would helpher understand. The resurrectionof Jesus must have been for Marya very significant step inunderstanding the mystery ofChrist. The Council speaks ofMary “advancing on herpilgrimage of faith” (LG 58).“Even the Mother,” says oneauthor, “goes on a pilgrimagealong the solitary streets anddark valleys, trying to discoverthe face and the Father’s will,”the mystery of the Son, exactlylike us.

However, it is significant tonote that, after she conceived theSon of God, she makes her wayto the house of Elizabeth. Shegoes because the angel’sannouncement brought to herattention that her cousin Eliza-beth was in need of help. Shegoes, because the son she carrieswithin her is to gift himself toothers and on this journey shebecomes a type of a witness toJesus. This seems like an im-perative to those who havereceived the word. Thus theVisitation manifests her truefidelity to the word and allowsJesus to fulfill what had beenannounced for John who “would

be filled with theHoly Spirit evenfrom his mother’swomb” (Luke 1,15).

Even for a dis-ciple, Peter, rem-inds Cornelius ofthe message ofsalvation: Christacts and givesthe Spirit (Acts10, 34-48).

(to be continued)


NEWSBITS

Silence, Praying for Others, Offering MassesFrom St Martin’s Messenger, Ireland

The Breviary of Fr JacquesThe book of daily prayer (the

breviary) of the priest murdered inFrance on July 26, 2016 was addedto the many relics of con-temporary martyrs in the churchof St Bartholomew in Rome.

The elderly Father JacquesRamel was a gentle and humblepriest. Despite his advanced age(86 years) he had not retired aschaplain of the French parish ofSaint-Etienne-du-Rouvray (nearRouen) where he was a chaplainfor many years and where he nur-tured respectful, sensitive andwarm relationships with everyoneeven the imam of the local mos-que. The ferocity with which thetwo young extremists violentlykilled him on July 26, 2016 whilehe was celebrating Mass, greatlyshocked the world.

On Thursday September 15,2016 Monsignor Lebrun, thebishop of Rouen, during a prayerservice placed the breviary of FrJacques in the church of St Bar-tholomew all’Isola (Rome), wherePope John Paul II had set up amemorial for the martyrs of theXX and XXI century and entrustedits custody to the Community ofSaint Egidio.

The breviary was added to therelics of the contemporary mar-tyrs and it remains open to thepage ‘July 25’, fatally marking thefeast of St James (whose name thepriest bore). “Hearing the encou-raging words of the Pope,” saidthe bishop, “It was too soon for mylittle heart that wanted to keepFather Jacques with us, for ourfamily. I know only too well thatthis detachment hurts, but it takesplace as a sign of fraternity andall of us have to take that path,with everyone else even ourMuslim brothers.” Before thesummer, in the last message thathe wrote to his parishioners, FrJacques insisted on a spirit of bro-therhood. It was read out duringthe prayer service: “During thesemoments of silence may we listento God’s invitation to take care ofthis world, the hungry, here wherewe live, that we may have awarmer, more humane andfraternal world.” (Michele Nicolè)

“All of us are meant to be contemplatives. Frequently we assume that this isreserved for some rare monastic life, lived by special people who alone have beencalled by God. But the truth of the matter is that each of us is meant to have thatspace inside where we can hear God’s voice. God is available to all of us. God says,‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Each of us wants and needs to give ourselvesspace for quiet, and then you can begin to see with the eyes of the heart.”

(Desmond Tutu, God Has a Dream, a Vision of Hope for Our Time)

Q. I am finding myself in a verydifficult and puzzling situation atthe moment and wonder if you couldadvise me. My adult son who liveswith me has not spoken to me fornearly a month now and I do notknow why. I have not upset him inany way. He is happy in his jobwhere he has a lot of responsibilityand is well respected. Hisrelationship is going well and in facthe is just about to head off onholidays. I am worried that this willnot be resolved but do not knowwhat to do. I have prayed but amstill at a loss.

A. I can see why you are in such adilemma; the greatest weapon ofall is silence because it makes oneperson all powerful while rend-ering the other completely pow-erless. Obviously something isbothering your son. As you noteyou have not done anything butit may be that inadvertentlysomething has happened which,while it was never your intention,has affected him. When an opp-ortunity arises you might tell himthat you have noticed gravechanges in his behaviour andwould like to help in any way youcan. You could even apologise inadvance for anything you mighthave said or done but cannot

atone for unless he explainswhat is happening. You mentio-ned that he has a girlfriend andI am wondering if a quiet wordwith her might help; sometimesanother person can act as anintermediary. Also being in arelationship we can presumeshe knows him well. However Iwould only take this as a secondstep. Direct communication isalways the best approach. Con-tinue to pray. God sees into allour hearts and will I am suregrant you both the grace to healthis breach. We will keep you inour prayers.

Q. For some time now I have beenwriting or phoning various Con-gregations of Nuns or priests inReligious Orders for prayers whichI badly need. Am I right in doingthis? Sometimes I wonder can theirprayers really help me?

A. Yes, their prayers can reallyhelp you. One of the beliefs of ourCatholic Faith expressed in theCreed is that the Church is aCommunion of Saints. Thefaithful on earth, the souls inPurgatory and the Saints inHeaven are all part of the mys-tical body of Christ and beingpart of the one spiritual body


THE DEVOTION OF THE THREE HAIL MARYS

The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS isa very simple yet most efficacious devotion.Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding theinvocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me frommortal sin." Many people recite the Three HailMarys as part of their morning and night prayers.To practise this devotion in time of danger, stress,special need or temptation, is a sure means toobtain Our Lady's help.My heartfelt thanks to Our Blessed Mother for

answering my prayers so miraculously. We had what could have beendifficult times but Our Lord and His Blessed Mother were always thereand continue to be with us sheltering us and helping in marvellousways. I pray the devotion to our Blessed Lord and our Most HolyMother grows throughout the world; the 3 Hail Marys and the HolyRosary are such a powerful devotion. Anna D'SilvaMy husband has a wound in the right toe for almost three months andwas not healing.Yesterday the doctor advised for debrivement andthat if any infection was found they would have to amputate it. As hewas taken to the operation theatre I kept praying the Three Hail Marysto Mother Mary and when the doctor came out he told me he hadsaved the toe but would have to watch for the next few days. I am verythankful to Mother Mary for answering my prayers and I continue topray the Three Hail Marys and ask Mother Mary to heal my husband’stoe and protect his toe in future without any complication so he is ableto walk normally. Mrs Barreto, DahisarMy family wants to thank Mother Mary and Jesus for all the favoursand many graces granted to my family. My daughter was issuelessfor five years, had some miscarriages, but with Mother Mary andJesus’ grace she conceived a baby boy. We want to Thank MotherMary and Jesus. - My wife’s visa was refused for London on flimsygrounds but we resubmitted the same, but before submitting my wifeplaced all her documents at the feet of Mother Mary and her visa wasgranted in 5 working days. I recite the Three Hail Marys everydayand Mother Mary and Jesus has always been there.

Jose M. Azavedo, LondonWe thank you Mother Mary for showering your merciful blessingsupon us. We acknowledge the miraculous power of the 3 Hail Marysthat granted our intentions. We also seek your blessings in the future.

Isabella Joshi, Indore, MPMy sincere gratitude to Our Lady for helping diagnose the stomach painof my first daughter and the healing from severe pneumonia my thirddaughter and helping our son find a nice house. A. J Pacheco, Goa

Jane thought he was getting thepoint: “Maybe there’s a reason,I’ve tried to tell you…”“Haven’t I got enough troubleJane? I can’t even get a man towork for me. I have to pay mecha-nics double to come in from thenext town. I even offered Vick ajob and he wouldn’t take it.” Janelooked up ashamed: “Oh, Eddieyou didn’t.”“Sure I did. I don’t have any hardfeelings. Well, I got what I wanted.I got the garage and it didn’t costme a thing.”Now Jane realized that he didn’tsee his mistake: “You’re wrong,Eddie. It cost you plenty.”“Yeah, what do you mean? I

didn’t pay a cent for it. Oh, Janewhat are you crying about?” Shecouldn’t take it anymore.

That isn’t a very nice ending fora story. I’m very sorry I have toleave it that way. I wish we couldtell you that Eddie gave Vick backhis garage and was a changed manfor the rest of his life but I can’tbecause this story is true to lifeand true to Eddie. He got what hewanted at a price. It’s the same pricea lot of people pay for a pair of jeans,or some branded pair of sneakers,the latest cell-phone, or a job orsomebody else’s husband, or wife.Just because I “pay” for somethingdoes it mean it’s worthwhile? Doyou think anything’s a bargain atthat price?

WANTED:WANTED:WANTED:WANTED:WANTED: Continued from pg. 23

whatever we do has an effect onthe rest of the body. Our goodactions and our prayer for othershas an effect for good on thosewe pray for and on the othermembers of the Church. Theprayers of the faithful here onearth can help the souls inPurgatory and also be a help tothose who are still on theirpilgrim journey through life. Sowhen we ask others to pray forus we are acknowledging ourbelief in the Communion ofsaints. Daily in the Mass we prayfor all others in the Church withthe belief that our prayers willhelp them (see followingquestion). We are all sinners, allin need of prayer, all in need ofits great power. Let us pray forone another.

Q. Can a Mass be offered exclu-sively for one person? In manychurches you will hear the priestsaying that this Mass is being

offered for someone, naming thedeceased person.

A. Thank you for your ques-tion. We can never claim for our-selves or our deceased relativesor friends exclusive rights in anyMass. In every Mass we pray forthe Pope, for our bishop, for thewhole Church and for all thosewho have died. We also prayparticularly for the personwhose name is mentioned, un-derstanding however that themerits of Christ are infinite andbenefit the whole people of God.The fact that a particular personis prayed for in the Mass does notdiminish what others may rec-eive. Should you arrange to havea relative or friend prayed for inthe Mass, try to attend the Massjoining with the community inpraying for that person, anduniting yourself with them alsoin offering prayers and petitionsto God for the good of the wholeChurch.


APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYERAPRIL 2017

THANKS TO DEARST. DOMINIC SAVIO

LOVING CHILDREN TOTHEIR LOVING MOTHER

THEY ARE GRATEFUL TOOUR LADY AND DON BOSCO

Young People. That young people may respond generously to theirvocations and seriously consider offering themselves to Godin the priesthood or consecrated life.

I thank God from the bottom of my heart through Our Lord Jesusthe greatest healer and Mother Mary whose intercession broughtsuccess to my eye operation and my years of poor vision wasrectified. Rita M.PMy sister Cynthia had a lump in the breast and after the check up,doctor advised her to get it removed. He told her to come after 3days for the surgery. I told her to pray to Jesus our Healer. WhenJesus could change water into wine, he could surely cure her ofthis lump. I also asked her to pray fervently with faith to MotherMary to intercede with Jesus. In fact the whole family startedpraying for this healing. On the third day when my sister visitedthe doctor, he examined her and said that there is no lump and noneed of any surgery. In fact he also stated “Your God has heardyour prayers.” We thank and Praise Jesus & Mother Mary for thismiracle and healing. Mrs Nelly Carvalho, MumbaiThrough your magazine I would like to thank our good Lord Jesusand His mother Mary for all the favours granted to us and forkeeping us in good health. Thank you Jesus, thank you MamaMary Jubel D’Cruz, MumbaiThank you mother Mary for giving a job to my son after a longstruggle and keeping me in good health. Mrs. F. Soares, Goa

On 22nd October 2016 I had a sudden stroke and almost lost myspeech. I was rushed to the hospital where the doctors weresurprised to see me still alive.Two of my arteries were blocked andthey had to do immediate stents on me. I thank God, Jesus, MotherMary and all my dear saints I pray to for having given me a speedyrecovery.I was out of hospital on the 30th of October and I amrecovering at home. Christopher David, SecunderabadThe Lord is most merciful. Our devotion to our most Blessed Motherand sweet Lord Jesus has given us a new home after a struggleand a difficult problem. We pray for Blessed Mother's continuedBlessings and protection on my family and our new home.

Anna MThank you Mother Mary for healing my mother and sister from askin problem. S.D. SalamatiMy heartfelt thanks to Jesus and Mary for all the favours receivedand for the wellbeing of my family. I pray that the Good Lord andhis Mother continue to shower their blessings and graces on us.

Helen Moniz, MumbaiThank you Mother Mary Help of Christians for good health and allthe other blessings. George and Luisa, D’SouzaThank you Divine Mercy and Mother Mary Help of Christians for anormal mamography report. Argentina Fernandes, Mumbai

My grateful thanks to our Lord JesusChrist for success in the 2nd semesterEngineering Exams. I also thank MotherMary, St. John Bosco and St. DominicSavio for praying for me. Do continue towatch over my family and friend and metoo. Aksa Mary Pramod, MumbaiOur sincere gratitude to the Infant Jesus,Mother Mary and St Dominic Savio forthe safe delivery of a baby girl NatashaJoseph and for good health, peace andall the blessings gratefully received.

Kevin and Gayathri, JorhatThank you, Mother Mary, Don Bosco

and Dominic Savio for all the favours granted to me. Bless our familyand keep us always safe. A DevoteeOur sincere and fervent thanks to Our Lady and Dominic Savio forblessing us with a granddaughter. O Mother protect her always underyour mantle blue. Brenda and Sonny Dalby, VishakapatnamThank you Mother Mary, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for all thefavours and blessings you have showered on us and for protectingmy daughter at a very difficult time in 2014. Mrs Leela MirandaMy sincere thanks to Mother Mary, St John Bosco and St. DominicSavio for the several favours granted to my family, especially myson’s marriage. Mrs. G. D’SilvaMother, please accept my heartfelt gratitude as you accepted myvarious petitions while reciting the 3 Hail Marys. I am also grateful toSt. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio and Fr. Maschio who saved memiraculously when he was alive. Mrs. V. Coutinho D’SouzaI would like to thank Mary Help of Christians, St. John Bosco and StDominic Savio for blessing my friends Mrs Divyashree Tendulkar andMrs. Aparna Sawant with the gift of a child each. I am also grateful toyou for the successful hernia operation of my father. Carol M. Rodrigues, Candolim, Goa

36April 2017 Don Bosco’s Madonna

Regd RNI no. 9360/57;Postal Regn. MH/MR/North East/089/2012-2014posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office

on 1st & 2nd of every monthSubs: (one copy Rs. 20/-); Inland Rs. 200p.a; Airmail: Rs 500 p.a.

MARY WAS THERE

Don Bosco's Madonna, has developed to its present form from a folder published in 1937,by late Fr Aurelius Maschio, on behalf of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Bombay.

The magazine is sent to all who ask for it, even though there is a fixed subscription(Rs 200/- India & Rs 400/- Airmail)). We trust in the generosity of our readers/benefactors.Whatever you send us will help cover the expenses of printing and mailing; the surplus ifany, is devoted to the support of orphans and poor boys in our schools and apostolic

centres.To help a poor lad to reach the priesthood, is a privilege

You can help by establishing a Perpetual Burse with:Rs 5000/-, 10,000/-, 15,000/- for a boy studying for the priesthood;But any amount, however small, will be gratefully received.

Send your offerings by Payee cheque or Draft on Mumbai banks;MO/PO/INTL MO/BPO/Bequests, Wills, Perpetual Burses, all favouring Don Bosco'sMadonna or Bombay Salesian Society or Rev. Fr. Edwin D'Souza, (Trustee).Please address all correspondence to:

Rev. Fr. Edwin D'Souza, sdb.,SHRINE OF DON BOSCO'S MADONNA,Matunga - MUMBAI - 400 019 - INDIA

Phone/Fax: 91-22- 2414 6320, email: [email protected]

It was a normal Saturday, butreturning home from work wouldhave turned out to be a disaster hadit not been for Our Lady's guidanceand watchful eye over me. When Iwas returning home from work onthe 3rd December 2016 on my bike inGoa, I banged into a car that wastaking a turn to go in the oppositedirection. Although my bike endedup completely smashed on one side,I scraped through without any majorharm other than bruises on my kneeand shoulder. Had it not been for StFrancis Xavier (whose feast happensto be on the 3rd of December) and theblessings of Mother Mary, I dread tothink of the consequences theaccident would have left me in aterrible state. It is with a gratefulheart that I thank God almighty forkeeping me safe and sound, on thatfateful day. Evelyn Menezes

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