DON BOSCO'S MADONNA HOME AT CHRISTMAS … · December 2017 2 Don Bosco’s Madonna December 2017 3...

2 3December 2017 Don Bosco’s Madonna Don Bosco’s MadonnaDecember 2017Fr. Ian Doulton sdb

From The Editor's Desk:Home At Christmas..................3

Grandparents- Jeanette Brimner...................4

Youth on the Move: “Very Christian” Christians - Gianni Palizzi.......................8

Salesian Saints: Bl Maria Troncatti...................10

Vocation Story:Cl. Christovan Cardozo..........12

Witnesses In And For Our Times:Bl.Urban V...............................13

Lectio Divina: Heralding the Good News- Ian Pinto sdb.....................16

Quiet Spaces: A Father’s Caress- Pope Francis..........................18

Johnny The Derby- Fr. Ian Doulton's Collection 20

Facets of His Life: Light And Heat Inthe Century of Great Inventions- Natale Cerrato........................24

Reflecting on Mary: Predestined - Gianni Sangalli...................28

Walking With the Church: A Candle in the Window at Christmas.......................30

NewsBits...................................31

In a Cheerful Mood.....................32The 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...................34

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS

DON BOSCO'S MADONNA Mumbai DECEMBER 2017 vol.19 No. 9

HOME AT CHRISTMASThere was a time in the not-too-distant-past when we seniors or super-

seniors remembered Perry Como or Sinatra singing: ‘I’ll be home forChristmas’ or something similar…as we headed down the last lap beforeChristmas…There’s something nostalgic about this season that brings‘home’ into the centre of our attention.

It becomes beastly cold in the Western hemisphere so our ‘dears-in-the-diaspora’ strive to head back to our shores in shorts and sneak-ers…to celebrate Christmas with us. And we all look forward to theirhomecoming. For those who can’t make it, we’ll get our tech-savvykids to set up Skype or some other social media to make contact onChristmas Day. Truly Christmas is a reminder of the mystery, joy andheartache of ‘home’ in our lives.

Some don’t and won’t come home…and this brings a tear to someaged eyes. There’ll be bittersweet moments too during this season thatmake us all uncomfortable…but we console ourselves in the hope thatmaybe they might turn up next Christmas. We hope they will realisethat they’ll receive nothing less than a huge welcome.

The Christmas homecoming is not just about a house or family.Somehow this homecoming reminds us that ‘home’ is more a ‘state’than a ‘place’ where memories are cherished, bonds are strengthened,hearts are warmed and ties are reinforced once more. Why is this?Why such an emphasis on home and family?

The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, begins his poem:Thee, God, I come from, to thee go,All day long, like fountain flow.

The mystery of the coming of Jesus is that the Son of God and Son ofMary, makes his home among us. We say that in different ways: ‘hecame to his own home and his own did not receive him’; the word wasmade flesh and lived/dwelt/made his home among us’.

We may, in a busy, more faith-distant world, lose the sense of Godbeing our home. But just because we can’t get our minds around thisidea does not negate our human homes for, in the words attributed toTeilhard de Chardin, ‘we are spiritual beings on a human journey’; andour deepest belonging, whether we know it or not, is for the Divine.

How do we make this “home” part of our lives? What might thismean? In our ordinary homes, all of us pitch in to spruce the place upfor the season which demonstrates our care for it and gives it a senseof being a home and giving us a sense of belonging.

Many appeals will come through our mailboxes urging us to helpmake someone else’s home a bit more Christmassy. Would we put upthe latches, switch off our phones and doorbells and put up huge DNDsigns so no one will disturb us at home? But who knows? By doing thatwho might we shut out? Maybe that knock was His…and He passedby because and He saw our DND… Could you still have a merryChristmas? I don’t think it’s possible because we realise that we trulyaren’t at home!

A Blessed Christmasto All

We wish all our friends andbenefactors and those who

help us in a myriad ways toreach the poor and the

marginalized both in ourcities and the countryside,

the graces of a holy,peace-filled Christmas.

You and your families areremembered in our

devotions and the Massescelebrated throughout theChristmas Season at the

Shrineof Don Bosco’s Madonna.

4 5December 2017 Don Bosco’s Madonna Don Bosco’s MadonnaDecember 2017

CEL SERIESCEL SERIESCEL SERIESCEL SERIESCEL SERIES

GRANDPARENTSGRANDPARENTSGRANDPARENTSGRANDPARENTSGRANDPARENTSBy Jeanette Brimner

Nobody can do for little child-ren what grandparents do.

Grandparents sort of sprinklestardust over the lives of little chil-dren.” This quote was said by thewriter Alex Haley, but we knowthat grandparents can also deeplyinfluence their older grand child-ren too.

Since grandparents from allover the world come from vari-ous cultures, they have a uniqueopportunity to teach their grand-children about their backgroundsand history by sharing their mem-ories, traditions and culture. Thiscan be done using family scrap-books, photo albums and journals.Through family outings and cele-brations God has also givengrandparents many opportuni-ties to share their wisdom andtheir faith with their grand-children.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin S.J.,a well-known Christian writerassures us that “The future is inthe hands of those who can givetomorrow’s generation validreasons to live and hope.”

Erica, from Holland, settledin Canada when she was nine-teen. She has taught her grand-children to count and speak a few

Dutch words and has enrolledthem in an International schoolwhere teachers relay to themDutch customs and traditions.The children love hearing aboutSt. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6th when‘Sinterclaas’ gives presents togood children and Black Peterreprimands the naughty ones.

Erica makes attractive, well or-ganized scrapbooks which showfamily photos, and postcards sentto her from Holland where manyof her relatives still reside. Shealso keeps souvenirs of shared spe-cial events so the children can lookthem over when they come tovisit. Because Erica has a strongfaith she encourages her grand-children to rely on God and sheprays for them often. Her latehusband would be proud of herability to relate so well with thenewer generation and despitebeing so busy with other concerns,always reserving time for visitswith her grandchildren.

When my Grandpa Smith waseight, he came to Canada fromScotland by ship with his largefamily and his dad cleaned thestables on board to pay for theirfare. When Grandpa was in hissixties he travelled with his oldestgrandson to places in Canada andthe U.S.A. while regaling himwith memories of Scotland whichmy brother passed on to us. Healso treated us to the rich short-bread and tasty oat cakes that hehad enjoyed in Scotland. Hisfriend, an avid bagpiper, oncevisited his summer cottage when

my sister and I were small andserenaded the islands while dadand Grandpa took him boatingthrough the lagoons.

An avid reader, Grandpa wo-uld tell us about the stories he hadread and his photographic mem-ory allowed him to relay all thedetails. He worked until he wasseventy-two in his book bind-ing factory and still rode his bikeuntil a few days before he died atage eighty three. We learned fromhim that people can be energeticand enjoy life (If they are blessedwith good health) well into oldage.

Willa came to Canada fromBelgium with her family when shewas very young. Her parentsbought a tiny farm in Southwes-tern Ontario and were doing quitewell until her dad was suddenlykilled in a tragic car accidentwhen he was only forty two. Hiswife was left to run the farm withthe help of Willa and her sevensisters, and she taught all of hergirls that with God’s help theycould be strong and endure anyhardship. Willa passed on to herfamily and grandchildren theBelgium attitude of perseveranceand hard work as well as anunrelenting faith in God’s provi-dence. She has taught her grand-children about the relatives sheleft behind in Belgium throughscrapbooks and photo albums she

has carefully put together.When Willa’s daughter, Anne,

the youngest of five, married, lifeseemed be going well and Willaspoiled her three little grand-children. Then tragedy struck andAnne’s husband was in a terriblecar crash which left him braindamaged and unable to resumehis role as the loving husband andthe dad he once was. Willa step-ped in and has been helping herdaughter and grandchildren cope,besides directing the Church choirand giving attention to her othergrandchildren. This happenedabout a year after Willa’s husbandwas killed in a helicopter crash.“When I feel I can hardly go on Iask Jesus to give me strength andhe never fails me,” she told me afew days ago. She is a greatexample to both her daughter andher grandchildren who love her somuch!

My great niece and nephew liv-ing in Canada’s capitol, have lear-ned from their Persian grand-parents the value of the extended


family doing things togetherincluding going for walks, havingfrequent family dinners andoccasionally doing their weeklygrocery shopping together. Theyenjoy the flavourful Persian feaststhat their grandmother prepareswhich include dishes such asChicken Kabab, Mirza-Ghasemiand Kashke-Budemjan, andluscious desserts includingPersian Ice Cream and Bagh-lava. During their frequent visitsthe children are gradually learn-ing to speak in their grandparent’slanguage even though they usu-ally speak English at home.

My oldest son‘s aboriginalplaymate, Jacob, who was a fam-iliar presence at our home duringhis childhood and adolescentyears, learned from his grand-parents who cared for him fulltime. They taught him about theirrich past and the value ofaboriginal folklore, art work andcustoms. His grandfather, whofought in the Second World War,and was honoured for his valour.He often spoke at the Memorialservice which the grade schoolheld each year. Jacob is very proudof his history and one of mymemorable times was when hetaught us to make fried breadcalled bannock which we filledwith currants and raisons.Delicious!

My late sister, Helen, was illwith a severe heart condition formany years and was nearly house-bound. But she kept in tow withher grandchildren through phonecalls and letters. That was beforetexting became the norm. Whenshe felt well enough she wouldhave one grandchild at a time foran overnight visit. During thoseprecious times she was able to get

to know them individually andthey now have those preciousmemories of her to savour, nowthat she is no longer with us.

She also picked out her fav-ourite family recipes and gavethem to my sister, Doreen, whowas looking after her. Doreencompiled a booklet called Grand-ma’s Best Recipes and madecopies to send to family membersa few months after Helen died. It’sa treasured keepsake for hergrandchildren who each havetheir own copy.

When grandchildren are young,grandparents often shower themwith love and affection whichmakes them feel very special forbeing who they are. The little onescan bond with their grandparentsduring visits by colouring anddoing crafts with them, suchas cutting and pasting, and play-ing simple games with them.These activities help them deve-lop their small motor skills andenhance their innate creativi-ty. Reading stories and poems tothem opens a doorway to thespectacular world outside andstimulates their imagination.Taking them for walks and spy-ing on insects, pointing out thepretty flowers or autumn leavesor the way the sunbeams dance onthe snow helps them appreciatethe delicate and beauty filledworld around them. Praying withthem and teaching them to thank

God for his many gifts instills inthem a sense of wonder andgratitude.

As children become older, esp-ecially in their teens, they maybegin to distance themselves fromtheir grandparents as other activi-ties take up their time but manystill yearn for a listening ear whenproblems arise. Having grandpar-ents who are not judgemental andrefrain from offering advice un-less asked for, assures older grand-children that they can confide inthem when social or school diffi-culties and even disagreementswith their parents or guardianscrop up.

We who are grandparents canhelp our grandchildren to be funloving but caring people who cancontribute their talents, and skillsto their world, but they can alsoteach their grandparents a greatdeal. They hone our patience skillswhen they spill something on afreshly cleaned floor or keep ask-ing us to take them for a walkwhen we have many tasks to do.They keep us humble when theysay statements such as ”You havecrinkles in your cheeks grandpa”or ask if the age marks on grand-ma’s arms are freckles. But theyrenew our sense of wonder andawe as they point out a grass-hopper crossing a path, or flowerthat has gone to seed and is“broken.”

Older children may call us re-lics from the old school who justcan’t see how the modern worldhas changed. It certainly hasevolved but not always in a goodway. In many ways it has be-come a Godless world where mor-ality allows premarital sex andeasy divorce. But they also makeus think when they ask questions

such as “Why are we told to behonest when politicians lie to usall the time.” Or “How do wereally know that God exists?’

Yes, Grandchildren can be funand cheer us up, especially if weare not their year round careta-kers! They can also wear us outwith their nervous energy andquestions. My grandma used tosay to my grandpa “I’m glad tosee them come and I’m glad to seethem go!’ They can bewilder uswith their modern ideas and theirability to cope with modern equi-pment. They test our diplomaticskills when they want us to taketheir side versus their parents’viewpoint. But grandchildren willalways be treasures in our eyesand with our concern, involve-ment and prayers they will hope-fully develop into caring andloving adults.

So as grandparents share theirbackgrounds, including theirchildhood adventures, their sor-rows, joys and accomplishments,they teach their grandchildrenabout their roots and are a livinghistory to them. But as well, theyreceive from their grandchildrena cherished gift...a sense of con-tinuity. Hopefully their history,their faith and gems of wisdomthey share, will have a positiveand profound effect on thecoming generations.


“VERY CHRISTIAN” CHRISTIANS“VERY CHRISTIAN” CHRISTIANS“VERY CHRISTIAN” CHRISTIANS“VERY CHRISTIAN” CHRISTIANS“VERY CHRISTIAN” CHRISTIANSby Gianni Palizzi

Like “the twelve” we too feel thatwe’re better than the One we’re fol-lowing and so we’re always ready toremind him by our whining prayers,about his duties as God. Unfortu-nately, we think that our God is oftendistracted, careless, having a recklesspreference for those who don’t des-erve so much, I don’t know, maybedistracted with sinners, for example,or those who don’t make it to SundayMass! If we don’t do something intime, “this thing here” we will endup behind “the sinners and prosti-tutes who will get before us into thekingdom of heaven.” Where does allthis end? And of us who have beenfollowing him for such a long time,we don’t get “even a kid!”

THE RISK OF A CHRISTIAN ATHEISTWhen a Christian feels he is bet-

ter than God by what he saysabout his beliefs, he is an atheist.This is seen in the case of Peterbefore he becomes Saint Peter. Heknows his religion and givesperfect answers: “You are theChrist,” but soon after that Jesustook him aside to explain to himhow he ought to think, becauseJesus said some strange things tohim which he didn’t know: thathe had to suffer, die and rise a-gain… Then at the washing of thefeet, was Jesus making a big mis-

take acting like a servant? ButPeter didn’t understand. A shorttime later he would say...”I’ll diewith you,” but before the cockcrowed… and the other “eleven”were no better.

WHO WAS THE GREATEST?They followed Jesus but they

were thinking of something else.Our thoughts are pretty far fromthe thoughts of God. They werethinking of great honours, of firstplaces at the final banquet. Thetwo sons of Zebedee even bookedtheir seats on the right and the leftof the throne…backed up by theirmother, ah mothers! In theirgoodness they did not even offertheir places to God! Christianatheists! Jesus “took a little childand set him in their midst, thenplacing his arms around him, hesaid to them: ‘Anyone who recei-ves one of these children in myname receives me.’ You know thatthe rulers of the Gentiles lord itover them, and the powerful op-press them…but whoever wantsto be first must make himself yourslave.”

SLEEPING IN THE GARDENPeter, James and John were his

three most attentive disciples andwere reportedly always present at

significant events, and yet theywere taken “unawares” at MountTabor. They were involved at themost tragic moments of Jesus’ lifeand how did they behave? Hesweated blood and they slept!Their eyes were heavy with sleep,they couldn’t keep awake. Theyhad a faith that made them sleepy.Christian atheists… They had afaith that was resigned, routine,repetitive and opportunistic. AndJesus “after he had prayed, got upand went to his disciples andfound them asleep with sorrowand he said to them: ’why are youasleep. Stay awake and pray thatyou may not enter into tempta-tion.’”

THEY CALLED DOWN FIRE“Then, as the time approached

for him to be taken from thisworld, Jesus resolutely made hisway to Jerusalem. He sent mess-engers ahead of him who entereda Samaritan village to preparesome accommodation for him.But they did not receive him be-cause he was making his way toJerusalem. Seeing this, his disci-ples said: “Lord, do you want usto call down fire from heaven toconsume them?” But he turnedand scolded them. “Master, wesaw someone cast out demons inyour name and we forbade himbecause he was not one of us.”And Jesus said: “Do not forbidhim, for whoever is not against us,is for us.” He had already said:“Do not judge! Do not condemn!”

THE TWO WHO BETRAYED HIMPeter and Judas, two of the twe-

lve, betray him; a very high per-centage! Disastrous! One sells him,the other denies knowing him.Alas, Christian atheists! “While

he was still speaking, behold acrowd arrived and Judas came upto him and kissed Jesus ...” “Judas,do you betray the Son of Man witha kiss?”… ‘Immediately while hewas speaking a cock crowed.’ Andthe Lord turned and looked atPeter; and Peter remembered theword that the Lord had said:“Today, before the cock crows,you will have denied me threetimes.” And he went out and weptbitterly. At that moment they allran away and out of fear, eithershut themselves in the upper roomor went back to their fishing. Andat the foot of the cross “theymocked him saying, “He savedothers, let him save himself if heis the Christ, the Son of God!”

SOME WORDS THAT HELPListen

“Which is the most important ofall the commandments?” Jesusreplied: “The first is: ‘Listen Israel,the Lord our God is the one Lord,you shall love the Lord yourGod...and you must love yourneighbour as yourself.’”

Don’t think of yourself“You are not thinking like God

but like man!” “If anyone wishesto come after me, let him denyhimself, take up his cross andfollow me.”

Sell everything, come follow meJesus looked at him and loved

him and said: “There is one thingyou lack! Go, sell all that you haveand give it to the poor and you willhave treasure in heaven; thencome follow me. But he, on hear-ing these words, was crestfallen,because he had much wealth.”What a burden! And what a riskatheism is!”


SALESIANSALESIANSALESIANSALESIANSALESIANSAINTSSAINTSSAINTSSAINTSSAINTS

MARIAMARIAMARIAMARIAMARIATRONCATTITRONCATTITRONCATTITRONCATTITRONCATTI1883 - 19691883 - 19691883 - 19691883 - 19691883 - 1969

Maria Troncatti was born atCorteno Golgi, in the pro-

vince of Brescia on February 16,1883 into a numerous family ofmountain breeders. She grew upcheerful and active among themeadows and was showeredwith affection by her littlebrothers. She flourished in thewarm atmosphere of their affec-tion and her exemplary parents.The Salesian Bulletin came toCorteno and Mary, sensitive andrich in Christian virtue, contem-plated on a religious vocation.

Initially her father was not infavour of her choice but once hisdaughter turned 21 he consented.Maria asked to be admitted tothe Institute of the Daughters ofMary Help of Christians and wasadmitted to her first professionin 1908 at Nizza Monferrato.During the First World War shetook a healthcare course at Var-azze and worked as a Red Crossnurse at the Military Hospital.Following a violent storm Mariapromised Our Lady that if shewas spared she would opt for themissions. Our Lady heard herprayer and so Maria asked Moth-er General to go to work amongthe lepers.

Seven years later Mother Cath-erine Daghero sent her to Ecua-dor. In 1922 she arrived at Gua-yaquil bay and reached Chunchiwhere she was a pharmacist and

a nurse for a short time.In December 1925 accompani-

ed by the Salesian Bishop MonsComin and a small expedition,Sister Maria and two othersisters entered the Amazon rainforest. Their mission field wasthe land of the Shuar Indians inthe south eastern part of Ecua-dor. As soon as she reachedMéndez, Sister Maria earned theesteem and admiration of theShuar tribes when she extracteda bullet from a chieftain’sdaughter with the help of apenknife.

The little community estab-lished itself definitively at Macasin a little hut on a hill. They weresurrounded by a village of na-tives. Just as Don Bosco was‘father’ and ‘teacher,’ SisterMaria became a mother and forforty-four years they called herMadrecita (darling mother). Thework of evangelization in thebeginning was difficult and

involved many risks. She was anurse, a surgeon, an orthopedist,a dentist and an anesthetist butshe was above all a catechist richin wonderful resources of faith,patience and Salesian loving-kindness. Her work for the pro-motion of Shuar women blosso-med and hundreds of new Chris-tian families were formed. Forthe first time young couples werefree to choose their partners.

With maternal patience shewas able to listen, fostering com-munion among the people, edu-cating the indigenous people topardon the settlers: “One look atthe Crucifix gives me life and thecourage to work,” this firm faithsustains my life.” In every activi-ty, sacrifice or danger, she feltsupported by the maternal pre-sence of Mary Help of Christians.Sister Maria’s missionary spiritexpressed itself in her life givenin the cause of evangelizationand human and social promotionof the Shuar people in theAmazon rain forest of Ecuador.All her activity was punctuatedwith the need to be faithful toGod’s love. In his name Mariamade the mercy of God extreme-ly transparent to all those inneed of any kind. Her commit-ment was demonstrated in herstrong love and fidelity to theChurch and was also expressedin her solicitude for the ministersof God always ready to helpthem in any difficulties in themission.

Her remains lie in Sucua, in theProvince of Morona (Ecuador).One of the missionaries at thattime, Father Giovanni Vigna leftus this testimony about Sister

Maria Troncatti: “She was thevery incarnation of Gospel deta-chment and simplicity. Withwhat exquisite maternity sheconquered hearts! She found asolution for every problem,keeping in mind what was bestat that time. She never forgotthat she was dealing with peoplewho were weak and sinners. Shewas seen dealing with people ofall kinds and from all kinds ofbackgrounds, even the most mis-erable with immense respect andkindness which came to her nat-urally and spontaneously. Whatsurprises me most, is that shealways remained exquisitely awoman and I would say, asmuch a virgin as a mother.”

Her activity developed mainlyin the fields of education andhealthcare at the Pius XII hos-pital in Sucúa and in numerousother dispensaries. She was theMother of the missions of theVicariate of Méndez: Macas,Méndez, Sevilla Don Bosco andSucúa were all administered inshifts.

On August 25, 1969, in Sucúa(Ecuador) a small plane carryingSister Maria Troncatti on herway to a retreat, crashed just afew minutes after takeoff on theedge of the forest that, for almosthalf a century, was “thehomeland of her heart” the placewhere she had given herselfselflessly among the “Shuar”people.

Sister Maria’s final takeoff ledto Paradise! She was 86 andspent every one of those years asa gift of love. She wrote: “I’mhappier each day in my religiousmissionary vocation.”


BL. URBAN V(DECEMBER 19)

With contributions from Abbye Saint-Joseph de Clairval

PROFILES

It is said that God has his ownway of calling. I don’t rem-

ember God calling me directlybut I am sure that the prayerfuland spiritual atmosphere athome was the reason for myvocation. As a regular altarserver all I wanted one day wasto be on the other side of thealtar. Whenever anyone askedme about my future I wouldquickly reply, ‘I want to be apriest.’

I remember celebrating myown small Mass with a MarieBiscuit and tea cup. My neigh-bours would laugh and poke funat me, but my mother saidnothing. As I reached the fifthstandard I had priests invitingme for vocation camps, and Iattended all of them be theySVDs, Pallotines, Pilar, Diocesanbut mostly those of the Jesuits.And why not? I was studying ina Jesuit school right from myfirst standard. I liked going forcamps, I got to see what differentpeople did, but I attended themmore to have fun.

Never did I once attend a Sal-esian vocation camp. But fromthe eighth standard I had attend-ed the summer camps held atDon Bosco Animation Centreand what fun and joy there was!That was where I first encoun-tered the jovial, young Salesian

priests and brothers. I immed-iately developed a liking forthem.

After my tenth standard res-ults, a Jesuit priest whom I knewvery well, wanted me to jointhem. Somehow, I don’t knowwhy, I rushed with my mom toDon Bosco, Benaulim and said Iwanted to join them.

And from then on I have stayedwith the Salesians. I am happyto meet Salesians and moreespecially to meet so manyyoung people and become partof their daily life.

Has it been all smooth sailing?Ha! ha! Where there is mischiefthe question of smooth sailingdoesn’t arise at all.

I constantly trust in God andsurely the prayers of many tokeep me strong.

CL. CHRISTOVAN CARDOZOA Salesian Student of Theology at Don Bosco, Koregaon Park, Pune

VOCATION PROMOTION

Guillaume de Grimoard, whowould become Pope Urban

V and be beatified in 1870, wasborn around 1310 in the Grizac fa-mily chateau in the Gévaudan re-gion (today part of the Lozère dep-artment). His family was knownfor its Christian virtue. His father,a gentle and humble man and abrave knight, showed compassiontowards the poor. His mother hada reputation for great charity.Both would rejoice at their son’svocation. At the age of twelve,Guillaume left to study in Mont-pellier; he later went to Toulouseto study civil law for four years.His teachers, dazzled by hisintelligence and abilities, led himto hope for a chair-in-law. Butsuddenly, without a word to any-one, he embraced the monasticlife in a Benedictine monastery oftwelve monks in Chirac, whereone of his uncles was Prior. Themonastery was in his mother’shome region of Lozère.

Guillaume was soon sent toSaint Victor Abbey in Marseille tocomplete his monastic formation.There he made his vows and dem-onstrated many good qualities:humility, obedience, and love of

prayer and mortification. Whenhe returned to his original mon-astery, he was ordained a priest,and before long, he left again, onthe advice of his superiors, toteach as a university professor inToulouse, Montpellier, Paris, andAvignon. He was twenty-fiveyears old. On All Saints’ Day 1342,he received the title of Doctor ofCanon Law, in Montpellier. Manycame to seek his advice—the richsought him out to arbitrate theirdisputes, and the poor asked hisadvice on their small familymatters. After his classes, he neverfailed to go to the churches tomake pious exhortations to the


faithful. He also served as Prior ofa monastery in the diocese ofAuxerre, and in 1352, Pope Cle-ment VI made him head of SaintGermain Abbey in Auxerre.

Since 1309, the papacy had re-located to Avignon to escape therevolutions that had been occur-ring one after another in Rome.Clement VI had made this situa-tion official in 1348 when hepurchased Avignon from Johan-na I, Countess of Provence andQueen of Sicily. In 1352, the Popeentrusted Guillaume de Grim-oard with a difficult mission to thearchbishop of Milan, who wasdisposed to encroach on the HolySee’s temporal power in Italy. InSeptember 1362, the Pope died. Atthe conclusion of a difficult con-clave, Guillaume de Grimoardwas elected to succeed him. It wasextraordinary that a simple monk,an abbot, not even a bishop, waselected Pope. He was 52 years old.

The new Pontiff’s coronationtook place in Avignon on Novem-ber 6, 1362. Guillaume chose thename “Urban” because, as heexplained, “the other four Urbanswere all holy men.” His sole am-bition was, in fact, to become asaint. From the day of his corona-tion, he led his pontificate on thepath of austerity. He himselfwrote to the Catholic rulers of Eu-rope. The king of France, John II(John the Good) who had justarrived at Villeneuve-lez-Avign-on, was allowed only to kneelbefore the Pope, without ceremo-ny. Having come for the proces-sion that would not take place, hewanted Urban to name four car-dinals of his choice, but the Poperefused.

In these circumstances, Urban Vpresented, from the outset, an

example of a life of prayer andsimplicity. A monk through andthrough, he continued to lead amonk’s life. He reformed a num-ber of monasteries, which some-times caused turmoil.

Throughout his pontificate,Urban V promoted intellectuallife, wishing thus to improve socialconditions. He wanted to makeeducation accessible to all. So, forthe Polish who were unable to goto France or Italy, he founded auniversity in Krakow in 1364, sen-ding the best professors there. Hedid the same in Pecz, Hungary;Vienna, Austria; and Geneva,Switzerland. He founded the uni-versities in Orange and Angers,France and in numerous locationsinstituted colleges of civil andecclesiastical law, theology, andhumanities. He was, in fact, con-vinced that everyone, accordingto his state—father of a family,cleric, or artisan—would betterassume his responsibilities if hehad been educated to the extentof his abilities. He furthermorethought that knowledge aided thepractice of virtue.

A man of peace, Urban workedfor the reconciliation of the Eas-tern and Western Churches. In hisprofession of faith he affirmed allthe articles of the Catholic Creed,notably that the Holy Spirit pro-ceeds from the Father and the Son,as well as the primacy of the Ro-man Church and the authority ofthe Pope over bishops and evenpatriarchs. The emperor and em-press returned to Constantinoplewell pleased with the treatmentthey had received. Many Greeks,moved by the Pontiff’s goodness,reunited themselves with theChurch of Rome. This reconcilia-tion was one of Urban V’s greatest

joys.Urban V’s apostolic zeal also

manifested itself in the missionshe sent throughout the world—toBulgaria, Lithuania, Georgia, Bos-nia, Dalmatia, Serbia, and as faras Mongolia and China, where thefirst diocese was created in Pekingin 1370.

Concerned by the wars andviolence of his century, Urban Vapplied himself to laying the foun-dations of a lasting peace andspreading civilization throughoutEurope. His primary objectivewas to return to Rome and installhimself there. Thanks to the poli-tical, military, and juridical workdone by Cardinal Albornoz, thisreturn became possible in 1367.Arriving in the City in October,the Pope sought to improve the lotof the disoriented citizens ofRome. He created great parks onVatican Hill to provide jobs forunemployed workers. He hadnumerous monuments restored,and undertook excavations to findthe skulls of the Apostles, SaintPeter and Saint Paul, which werediscovered under the altar of theLateran basilica.

To maintain the integrity of thePapal States, and ensure the free-dom of both the Sovereign Pontiffsand that of Italy, which wereinseparable, the Pope conceivedthe plan of gathering all the ItalianStates around him into a sort ofleague, which he would head. TheHoly Roman Emperor, Charles IVof Bohemia, and the King ofHungary were the first to agree tothis plan. The Italian States follo-wed, with the exception of Flor-ence.

On the other hand, if theHundred Years’ War experiencedsomething of a respite after the

Franco-English Treaty of Brétignyin 1360, the unemployed mercen-aries flooding the roads ravagedeverything. Urban V, joining dip-lomacy with firmness, excommu-nicated these bands, and urgedthem to leave on crusade, as muchto get them away from Europe asto try to stop the Muslim pushthreatening the Eastern Empire.But, a few years after the Peace ofBrétigny, violence flared up againbetween France and England,convincing the Pope to leaveRome for Avignon in order toarrange a meeting between thetwo kings and force them to cometo terms. In his eyes, the vacuumleft by the weakening of theGermanic Holy Roman Empirecould only be filled by the mutualrecognition of the nations thatemerged from this empire(France and the German and Ita-lian states), forming a peacefuland united Europe, rooted in theChristian faith.

Urban V’s return to Avignonwas probably also motivated bythe desire to assure the calm andindependence of the cardinalswhen they met in the conclavethat would take place upon hisdeath, which he felt was near. ForItaly was once again the scene ofdangerous unrest. As it happened,after several weeks of terriblesuffering, Urban V died onDecember 19, 1370, just twomonths after his return toAvignon.

Blessed Urban V’s strengthcame from his union with God. Achronicler who was a very closewitness of this Pope, wrote, “InGod alone he poured out his heart,in God alone he set his thoughtsand he consecrated himself totallyto His service.”


HERALDING THE GOOD NEWSIan Pinto, sdb

The people of Israel hadn’t hadmuch good news lately. In fact

ever since the death of the greatand wise King Solomon, there hadbeen little good news. Towardsthe end of King Solomon’s life heturned away from God and beganto worship false gods and idols.God was angry with him and fore-told through the prophet Ahijahthat he would not take the king-dom away during the lifetime ofSolomon on account of his father,David’s faithfulness. Instead,after his death, when it is time forhis son to take over, he will be gi-ven charge of only a small portionof the Kingdom. This came trueand twelve tribes of Israel weresplit into ten on one hand and twoon the other. Jeroboam, one of Sol-omon’s officials took over as rulerover the former while Rehoboam,Solomon’s heir, was left with theother two. Thus the Kingdom ofIsrael was divided from within.The two kingdoms grew weakover time and were overcome bythe Assyrians (612 B.C.E.) and theBabylonians (587 B.C.E.). Thismarked the beginning of a long

dark period in Jewish history. Thiswas the beginning of their subju-gation by foreign powers.

The Babylonians gave way tothe Persians (531-339 B.C.E.) andthen to the Greeks (331-143 B.C.E.).It was during this time that theMaccabees, a Jewish family, roseup and overthrew the oppressiveregime. This was a welcome reliefto the Jews even though it wasonly short-lived. Soon the Rom-ans arrived on the scene and tookover the reins of Government,wrestling it out of the hands of thelocal Jewish rulers. In more waysthan one Israel was a divided na-tion. Besides, their history wasn’tvery impressive. In fact, for mostof their history they were oppress-ed and subjugated (as you can seeabove). One can imagine the an-ger and frustration that these peo-ple had pent up inside them.Through it all, they had the voiceof God through the prophets, toguide, encourage, teach and evenadmonish them. But Biblicalscholars are of the opinion thatGod ceased to speak to the Isra-

elites through prophets afterMalachi. Therefore the location ofthe book of Malachi in the Bible(the last book of the Old Testa-ment) takes on a very strategicand significant meaning. The Pro-phet Amos had predicted the endof prophecy over 200 years beforeMalachi. “A time is coming—de-clares my Lord God—when I willsend a famine upon the land: nota hunger for bread or a thirst forwater, but for hearing the wordsof the Lord. Men shall wanderfrom sea to sea and from north toeast to seek the word of the Lord,but they shall not find it” (Amos8:11–12).

This above passage poignantlydescribes the situation of theIsraelites. They began to feel theabsence of God’s voice. For over500 years there was completeradio-silence from God’s side. Thisperiod is called the Intertesta-mental period as it is marks thetransition between the Old andNew Testaments. Prophet Mala-chi prophesied of the one who isto come before the Messiah,“Now I am sending my messen-ger ahead of me to clear the way;then suddenly the Lord for whomyou long will enter the sanctuary”(Malachi 3:1); and again, “I amgoing to send you the prophetElijah before the day of Yahwehcomes, for it will be a great andterrible day” (3:23).

The Jews believed that the Mess-iah would descend from the lineof King David and would accom-plish the unification of the twelvetribes of Israel, thereby establish-ing them as a nation. In keepingwith Malachi’s prophecy theywere looking forward to the arri-

val of Elijah since he would be theforerunner of the Messiah. Jesusacknowledged John the Baptist asthe messenger promised by theprophet (Mt 11:10). He alsolauded him as the greatest personto ever live (11:11). John broughtthe Good News that the people ofIsrael so eagerly desired. He bro-ught them news of the coming ofthe Messiah. God had ended Hisradio-silence and not by issuing amere prophecy from the mouth ofa prophet but by bringing Himself,in all his divinity to His people.

The greatness of John doesn’t liein his message but in his per-sonality. John is highly reveredbecause he was a genuine seekerof God. He left everything todiscover God’s Will in the tryingwilderness. Despite his increasingfan following, he was honestenough to admit that he was notthe Messiah they craved for. Heopenly proclaimed, “Someone isfollowing me, someone who ismore powerful than I am, and Iam not fit to kneel down and undothe strap of his sandals” (Mk 1:7).

We can pick up a thing or twofrom John. First, humility is amark of a seeker. Everyone whoclaims to be a follower of God ou-ght to be humble. Second, God isgreater than my ego. If I am goingto strut around with an arrogant“I am” attitude, very little is goingto happen in the spiritual field.Even God can’t get past a big ego.Finally, John points us to Jesus. TheJews were unwilling to acceptJesus as the Messiah and hence Hecould accomplish little with them.However, He has and He will acc-omplish great things with all thosewho are willing to trust in Him.


A FATHER’S CARESSA FATHER’S CARESSA FATHER’S CARESSA FATHER’S CARESSA FATHER’S CARESSOn the morning of Thursday, December 10, 2015, the Holy Father celebrated Mass in the Chapel of Domus

Sanctae Marthae. The following is the edited English text of the Pope’s homily which was delivered in Italian.

A father or a mother says to their child: “Do not be afraid, I amhere” and pampers the child with caresses. This is the privileged

condition of humanity: small, weak, but reassured, supported andforgiven by a God who loves them. At the beginning of the Jubilee,Pope Francis took the opportunity to return to the theme of theFather’s mercy while reflecting on the daily Liturgy in the Mass atSanta Marta on Thursday morning. The Cardinal Advisors alsoparticipated in the Mass.

The reflection was inspired by the Responsorial Psalm, whichrepeated: “The Lord is merciful and great in love”. The Pope calledit “a confession of faith” in which the Christian recognizes that God“is mercy, and he is great, but great in love”. This statement is simpleonly in appearance, because “understanding the mercy of God is amystery, it is a journey that must be made throughout life”.

In order to help to better enter into this mystery, the Pope referredto the Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (41:13-20), whichis God’s monologue to his people. It tells of how God “told his peoplethat he had chosen them not because they were great or powerful”,but “because they were the smallest of all, the poorest of all”. PopeFrancis explained that God is truly “in love with this poverty”, withthis “littleness”.

It is a text from which this love clearly emerges: “a tender love, alove like that of a father or mother” speaking to their child “whowakes up during the night frightened by a dream”. Godspeaks with the same concern to his people and says: “I willhold your right hand, rest assured, fear not”. Using imageryto describe the condition of littleness, he continues: “Youworm of Jacob, you men of Israel, I will help you, yourRedeemer is the Holy One of Israel, fear not”.

Do not be afraid. With regard to these words, the Popereturned to the example of family life: “We all know thecaresses of a mother and father, when children are restlesswith fear”. Parents too say: “Don’t be afraid, I am here”.The Lord reminds each one of us, tenderly: “I am in lovewith your littleness, with your nothingness”, and he tells us:“Do not be afraid of your sins, I love you so much, I am here

to forgive you”. This, in essence, the Pope explained, “is God’smercy”.

Continuing his reflection, Pope Francis gave the example of a saint(“I think it was St. Jerome, but I am not sure”, he confided), recallinghow the saint was said to have been very penitent in his life, offeringsacrifices and prayers, and that God always asked more of him. Thesaint continued to ask: “Lord what can I give you?”, until he said,“But Lord, I have nothing more to give you, I have given youeverything”. And the answer he received was: “No, one thing ismissing” — “What is missing Lord?” — “Give me your sins”. Withthis story, the Pope sought to emphasize that “the Lord wants totake our weaknesses, our sins and our weariness, upon himself”. Itis an approach that we also find in the Gospels, in Jesus, who said:“Come to me, all you who are weary and tired and I will give yourest”. Francis said that God repeats it over and over again: “I amthe Lord your God who will hold your right hand, fear not little one,do not be afraid. I will give you strength. Give me everything and Iwill forgive you, I will give you peace”. These, the Pope added, are“God’s caresses”, the caresses “of our Father, when he expresseshimself with his mercy”.

We men, the Pontiff continued, “are so nervous” and “whensomething does not go well, we shout and we are impatient”. WhileGod instead comforts us: “Do not worry, you’ve made a big mistake,yes, but do not worry; don’t be afraid, I forgive you”. In this way hewelcomes us entirely, even with our mistakes and our sins. This is

precisely what is repeated in the Psalm: “The Lord is mercifuland great in love”. Thus, the Pope said in conclusion, “weare small. He has given us everything. He asks us only forour miseries, our littleness and our sins, to embrace andcaress us”.

Recalling the prayer recited at the beginning of the Mass,“Lord, awaken the faith of your people”, Francis concludedby inviting everyone to ask the Lord “to awaken in all of us,and in all the people, faith in His fatherhood, in His mercy,in His heart”, and to ask that “this faith in his fatherhoodand mercy” makes us “a bit more merciful toward others”.

(by L'Osservatore Romano, Weekly ed. in English, n. 51, 18December 2015)


JOHNNY THE DERBYJOHNNY THE DERBYJOHNNY THE DERBYJOHNNY THE DERBYJOHNNY THE DERBYFrom Fr. Ian Doulton's collection of stories

Do you like mysteries? Do youfollow the best radio and tele-

vision thrillers; if you do, you’lllike Johnny the Derby!

Johnny the Derby was a charac-ter straight out of Rocky V movie.I saw him for the first time when Iwent in to check a story in a hoteljust off Skid Row. I was a reporterfor the Daily News, then. A killerhad holed up in a room in the ho-tel. The police tracked him down.He elected to shoot it out…thepolice won.

The hotel was just one cut abovea flop house but it had an elevatorwith an operator. He stood aboutfive feet two. He had the batteredlips, the bashed in nose and thecauliflower ears of an ex-prize fig-hter and he wore an old-fashionedblack derby turning green withage. He took me up to the sixthfloor where the excitement hadbeen.

My friend Detective Ross wasalready there. Everything wasover except taking the body away.This character in the derby keptstaring at the corpse with a kindof wide-eyed hungry fascination.Ross seemed to know him. “Well,Johnny here’s another one foryou.” Johnny seemed to knowhim. He said that he was suspec-ted of two other murders; but hewas not sure. DCI Ross turned toJohnny: “What’s the matter?Does a fellow have to commitmore than one murder to belongto your club?”

Johnny was more concernedabout the last moments…how didit all end…Was it quick?

Ross simply said: “What’s the

difference, so long as none of mymen got hurt. He saved the stateall the trouble and expense of atrial.”

Johnny shook his head…andlooked rather pensive. Ross hadfinished the report and askedJohnny to see if the wagon hadarrived. So off Johnny went.

I was quite satisfied with thestory I got. But I was puzzled withJohnny’s expression. He lookeddisappointed that our man didn’tlive to get the chair. Ross turnedto me and gave me a wry smile:“Oh, Johnny the Derby’s alwayslike that. Killings and executionsare his meat. He’s an odd ball forsure.”

A lot of people follow murdertrials as if they were the WorldSeries but they lose interest whenthe trial’s done. Johnny follows thecondemned into Death Row andpractically sits in the chair with him.That’s what Ross told me.

I found that weird. I know somepeople collect sea shells or oldcoins, old stamps. Johnny thederby collects murderers. Rosslooked at me and I asked him:“Why would a guy collect murd-erers?”

He smiled, packing up hisbriefcase: “You’re a reporter. Thisis in your line. Why don’t you rundown the answer? I think he getsa second-hand thrill out of it.”

I found it all very ghoulish. Theman collects murderers; that wasa new one. But it got me thinking.It might make a good story.

It’s not pretty but it surely sellspapers. Whenever I was down inJohnny the Derby’s territory Iwould stop in to see him. He was

always ready to talk. It was obvi-ous he hadn’t had much educa-tion but did have a sharp mind.

Sitting in the hotel lobby Johnnywould recall for me some of hisfavourites. He took great delightin filling me in on cases I thoughtI knew everything about while hepeppered them with details thatno paper reported. Where did heget all his information from?Johnny admitted that he wasn’trich. He knew he wouldn’t makea lot of money during his lifetime.Then with a chuckle he wouldadd: “So I learn to live withoutwhat I don’t have, and you know,I never miss it.”

Oh yes, Johnny was up on a lotof things but his pet topic wasmurder and murderers. When hespoke about the last night of thekiller on death row, he seemed tolive every moment of it with thecondemned. It gave me the creeps.But still there was somethingabout Johnny that kept me fromwriting it off as a morbidobsession.

One cold rainy night when Idropped in to see him, he wasthrough for the evening and heinvited me up to his room for acup of coffee. The place was typi-cal fourth rate hotel: dresser, bed,table, chair, all of them chippedand cigarette scarred. But therewere books all over the place evenon the bed. On the table there wasa thick scrap book lying open withpictures and newspaper clippingsscattered around. While Johnnywas fussing with coffee on theburner, I flipped the pages. Hecaught me looking. He suddenlycame up behind me and gentlyshut the album: “I forgot I left thatout.”

“It’s quite a collection you havehere.” I said.

He said he hadn’t missed one inthe last ten years. I told him that itwas quite an odd hobby. He lookedat me: “What do you mean?”

I told him it was queer having awhole collection of pictures andwrite-ups of killers as if they werehis heroes. And he admitted:“Well, they’re like friends…”Then I pressed further, a little gen-tly: “I don’t want to get personalJohnny, but aren’t they funnycompany for you to be keeping?”And he said something strange:“I guess, I’m all they have.”

I reopened the album as wetalked and I pointed to a picturewith RIP written under a pictureand I said: “And this, you’ve gotwritten here…RIP…Rest inPeace … that’s the limit. If thereis a hell, do you think thesefellows are going to have anypeace?”

Johnny became serious andtold me that he hoped they wereat peace and he made sure thateach of them got ‘his’ Mass. Ifound that funny: “His Mass?”

Johnny knew the priest at St.Stephen’s who agreed to offer aMass every time one of the guyswent to the chair.

To me it was getting more puzz-ling. Johnny didn’t know thesepeople but one thing Johnny wassure of and that was, that thesemen needed praying for. With aserious and dignified look, he said:“If I were a good and younger guy,you know what I’d do? I’d like tostart an Order of Brothers.” John-ny went on to explain that hewanted to found a congregationof brothers just to pray for thesecondemned souls.

This conversation was getting


me worked up: “I still don’t get it,Johnny. What’s poor about some-body like this Carlson guy?You’ve got his picture right here:a nice old man took him in andCarlson killed him for seven fifty.Or this Dave Webster here he shothis father and his brother over alittle family argument. They’remad dogs or beasts…”

Johnny shook his head: “No, no,they’re still humans.”

I was convinced that they werethe lowest specimens of humanity.

But not for Johnny: “They’ve gotsouls, and a soul is a soul. To saveone, is to save a little bit of Godhimself.”

I told Johnny that to me, it soun-ded like a waste of prayer. Johnnygave me a tired smile as if he’dhad this conversation before:“That’s what most people say.They say it’s a waste of time topray for souls like these. You knowwhat that kind of talk is?” Thenraising his voice he added: “Youdon’t know what it is, that’s all.That kind of talk is blasphemy.Think of putting a freeze on a soul,any soul. Only fools set themselvesup to measure the mercy of God.”Then he was quiet for some timeand he put his head down andadded: “I’m sorry, I got workedup. I have no right.” I smiled andpatted him on the shoulder andtold him he was entitled to his op-inion. He smiled and stood up:“Let’s skip it…I’ll say, I almostforgot your coffee. It’s all ready.”

Now I knew the reason for thescrapbook. It wasn’t a rogues’ gal-lery for Johnny to gloat over. It wasan album of his beloved dead. Ifound out also that he knelt downevery night and said a Rosary forthe list of his poor souls. But it still

didn’t add up. How did a charac-ter like Johnny ever get started onthis mixture of murder and relig-ion? I wasn’t going to give up till Ifound it out. But Johnny musthave felt that he had lifted thecurtain too far. He crawled into ashell and he wouldn’t let meneedle him. Shortly after that Iwas assigned to cover an execu-tion at the state penitentiary. I gota byline of the story in the paper.Johnny the Derby came after melike a hound dog. He caught meoutside the penitentiary gate. Hewas sure that I left something out.I hadn’t put it all in. I agreed andI told him that I put in sensationalstuff that people would read. Heneedled me to find out what I hadleft out. That was my chance andI was going to take it: “Johnny, I’lltell you what I’ll do. I’ll make adeal with you. If I tell you what Ileft out. You’ve got to give me thelowdown on your murder album.I want the straight-down on it.Will you trade?”

Reluctantly Johnny agreed. Itold him: “What I left out was thelast thing he said, just a few wordshe called out when they werestrapping him to the chair. He said:‘I’m sorry.’” Johnny’s face brigh-tened: “Didn’t he say: ‘God, I’msorry.’ Isn’t that what he said?” I no-dded and Johnny was satisfied. Hewas sure that Gleeson would repentat the last minute. But I told him thathe should have thought about it be-fore killing his wife. It was no spur-of-the-moment crime with him. Hetrailed her for three days. That wasa cold blooded job if I ever heard ofone. Johnny went to Gleeson’sdefence: “No, it wasn’t. He wasburning inside. He loved her andhe saw her with another man. Itburned his eyes and when he shut

them it burned inside his brainand all he knew to put out the firewas to see her dead at his feet.”

I looked at Johnny: “Johnny, yousound like you know him.”

Johnny said he was married buthe realized that something wasn’tright from the outset. So we sat onthe bench outside…in the brightsunshine and he began to tell mehis story: “She who was pretty, mewith a mug like mine. She was toopretty, that was the trouble. Therewas way too much straining andfighting. The first time I caughther. I almost died inside. She sworeshe’d never do it again. I figuredshe was young and she’d get overit. I tired picking fights near tohome. I got one out of town; thefirst in nearly a year. When we gotthere and we heard that this kidFoley had the flu bug and we hadto call off the fight. I came homethat night, unexpectedly thinkingI’d surprise her. In front of thehouse I see this big shiny car. I goround at the back and look in thewindow. I see her and him for solong and I can’t move. Then Icreep away. I’m bending over likeI’ve been stabbed in the heart.That’s how I feel. I can’t think, Ijust hurt; I was blocks away whenit hits me: that’s my wife withsome guy. I see a red hot curtaindrop in front of my eyes. I staggeralong till I come to a shop that hasguns in the window; their handleswere pointing towards me. It’slate, the place is still open. So I goin and buy a gun. Instead of goingstraight back to the house I startwalking aimless. I come to thebridge over the river. It’s blowingand the water is slapping like it’smad. I look down in the water andI think I see the two of them there

lying dead. It hits me, what I’mgoing to do: I’m going to kill, com-mit murder. Part of me wants toand part me doesn’t. Then I’mpraying: ‘God, don’t let me do it.’The next moment I see red. I hangon to the bridge rail so I can’t go.All the time I’m trying to pull myhands loose. She’s got it coming,she’s double-crossed me. I took herback once and this is the thanks Iget. I loved her but she’s nothingbut a tramp. Him too, the dirty rat…he’s got it coming. I go back topraying…’God don’t let me com-mit murder. Keep my handsclean.’ And I sweat and I pray. Allof a sudden it’s over. I’m quietand calm. The wind’s died, thewater’s still. I look down and I seenothing but the moon. There’s noblood on my hands…I’m so grate-ful to God for that. I threw the gunin the river and I never go homeagain.”

“Whoa! Johnny, that was close.”Johnny nodded: “Close enough

…so I know how a man getsmurder in his heart. I’ve got a lotof pity for a chap who can’t getrid of it. I say to myself: ‘There butfor the grace of God, goes Johnnythe Derby.’”

Johnny the Derby had preacheda great sermon, one of the best I’veever heard. Most people are likeme, they see killers as just thecouple of murderers they are, forjust a couple of minutes out oftheir life. Johnny sees them as poorsouls who’ve fallen under theonslaught of temptation. He pitiesthem for those moments of mad-ness and he prays that the graceof God will reach them and John-ny is right. Pity is needed mostwhere the sin is greatest. Pray fordying sinners. Pray hardest for thedying, whose sin is murder.


LIGHT AND HEAT INLIGHT AND HEAT INLIGHT AND HEAT INLIGHT AND HEAT INLIGHT AND HEAT INTHE CENTURY OFTHE CENTURY OFTHE CENTURY OFTHE CENTURY OFTHE CENTURY OF

GREAT INVENTIONSGREAT INVENTIONSGREAT INVENTIONSGREAT INVENTIONSGREAT INVENTIONS

by Natale Cerrato

LIGHT AND HEAT IN THECENTURY OF INVENTIONS

Among the typically materialelements that distinguish life inthe nineteenth century and whatfollows are the lighting and heat-ing systems. These help us to betterunderstand how life was lived inthose days when the economicand social scene was changing.

Passing through winter we ou-ght to try to recall the ways andmeans generally used in Turin andValdocco in particular during thetime of Don Bosco and we willhighlight him too in this regard.

Illumination in TurinIn the eighteenth century, “the

century of light,” illuminationwas still sought through waxcandles, oil and animal fat. In thenineteenth century, “the centuryof great inventions,” oil lamps,gas lights subsequently gave wayto the electric bulb.

In Turin, town lighting in theearly 1800s was provided byabout 500 oil lanterns, a remnantof the first 40 lanterns that hungup on long perches at the cross-roads in the 17th century. Privatehomes used petroleum lightswhich were gradually replaced bycandles, not without some appre-hension. They had a dazzlingeffect, better than the light of oillamps with wicks. This encourag-ed not a few heads of householdsto dare to light the lamp. Imaginewhat happened when they began

using gas lighting…they weretruly excited.

In 1837 King Charles Albertordered the construction of a fac-tory to produce gas from coal. Thiswas inaugurated in the followingyear not far from Porta Nuova.The Gas-works had their criticsbecause of their black and nausea-ting smoke. This divided the pop-ulace of Turin into the “pro-gas”and the “anti-gas” lobbies and thelatter was alarmed at what mighthappen if there was an explosion,to say nothing of the stench andthe costs! But by 1851 gas lampswere lighting up the streets, thesquares and the city centre.

Illumination at ValdoccoThroughout this period of the

introduction of illumination, Val-docco used the usual means em-ployed in private homes at thattime: candles, and oil lamps andfinally gas. Lanterns and taperswere placed at key points in thebuildings, corridors, dormitoriesand classrooms. Don Bosco him-

self oversaw their use warning ofany waste. He was often seen wan-dering around the house late in thenight, lowering the wicks wherehe judged it unnecessary. He him-self wrote one day to the BursarFr Lazzero: “You should studyand implement how to find meansto use gas in moderation, perhapsa third of the expenditure couldbe saved.” (E 1883) At the sametime he was particular that thereshould be sufficient and well-regulated lighting. In 1876, on avisit to the study hall Don Bosconoticed that the gas flames werenot well distributed where theywere actually needed. He explain-ed that it was necessary that theybe adjusted so that the lightreached all parts of the study hall.Economy and solicitude for thehealth of everyone was alwaysuppermost in Don Bosco’s mind.

Don Bosco forgot about econo-my when it concerned the Mado-nna. On June 9, 1868, the day ofthe consecration of the Church ofMary Help of Christians, after theevening service, the faithful cameout of the church to witness an un-expected spectacle when they sawthe entire dome lit by hundreds ofgas flames. The stars on theVirgin’s crown, the pedestal of thestatue, the cornices and railingswere all illuminated. On the feastof Mary Help of Christians in1881 the lighting was extended tothe entire Basilica.

However, as long as Don Boscowas alive, electricity had not rea-ched Valdocco. In fact, electricityhad not reached the popularneighbourhoods either. One couldonly admire the lighting in thericher areas of the city. However,Valdocco must have had somekind of rudimentary electric bell.

The “Biographical Memoirs” inf-orm us that one day in 1886, anold friend of Don Bosco, hearingthat he was in poor health arrivedat Valdocco. It was true, DonBosco wasn’t well and the porterdid not want to permit anyone tovisit him. But “at the vociferousinsistence of Blanchard, the porterhad recourse to the electric bell toinform Don Bosco that there wasa stranger to see him” (MB 1,300).It all ended in a very cordialconversation between the two oldfriends. Then Don Bosco wantedhis friend Blanchard to have lunchwith the Salesians and occupy hisplace at the table since he wasunable to go down to the refecto-ry. He requested it using the“electric wires” and it was settled.But how exactly that wire systemof communication worked we areunable to tell. We would hopesomeone will enlighten us some-day. It had to be through the useof electricity!

Turinese WintersThe lighting at Valdocco, good

or bad was never lacking butheating in the cold winter monthsin Turin was another discourse. InPiedmont, minimum temperatu-res sank very low. The usualextremes traditionally being call-ed the “days of merla,” i.e. were29, 30 or 31 January when temper-atures in Turin in particular couldreach 15 degrees below freezingon some days, if not lower.

Don Bosco remembers particul-arly the winter of 1844-45 whenit went down to 16 below zero onDecember 17, 1844. It got so coldin the winter of 1854 that the winefroze into wafers in the church. Itwas so also in the winter of 1868when, on January 12, Don Bosco


wrote to Cav. Federico Oreglia:“Here, the intense cold goes on;

today we went down to minus 18degrees. Despite the fire in thestove, the ice in my room didn’tmelt. We have delayed the risingfor the boys and since most ofthem have only summer wear,they put on two shirts, a jacket andanother coat, two pairs of trousersand military coats. Others drapedthemselves in blankets through-out the day. They seemed to bedressed for some kind ofcarnival.”

A little later he added:“Today, the 13th it is down to 21degrees with 60 centimeters of snow(E 634).On the 26th of the same month hewrote once more:“The cold is back this morning andit has touched 14 degrees below zero.The doctors say that this cold purifiesthe air and is very healthy but in themeantime, the mortality has tripledin Turin” (E 639).

The winter of 1871 was alsoextremely harsh when it was 11below zero on December 9. Thewinter of 1877 must have been amemorable winter, when a bittersnow storm struck the city for twoconsecutive days in February andthat was certainly not the lastwinter storm!

HeatingAs a young boy Don Bosco was

habituated to the cold. Walkingfrom Becchi to Castelnuovo ev-eryday in the winter of 1830 hetrudged along icy roads in thesnow and fog till he was numb. Asa young student in Chieri, life wasnot much easier.

Beneath the staircase at the CaféPianta he was able to benefit fromthe heat of the oven nearby but at

the Marchisio household and alsoat the tailor Cumino, where hewas a tenant, it was very cold.Firewood was very expensive forpoor students like him. Perhapsthat was the reason that DonBosco was never heard complain-ing about the cold. Giovanni Bisiotestified about him: “It was bey-ond me how he managed to holda pen in his hand and write in anice-cold room. But I never heardhim complain either of the cold orof the heat, nor for that matterabout anything else” (EBM 4,131).

In winter, Don Bosco sufferedintensely from cold feet, but neveronce did he use the “footstool hea-ter.” This was a copper or brassstool filled with ash and emberswith a perforated lid to warm thefeet when rested on it while sea-ted. It could be 40-40 cm high, butDon Bosco thought it was aluxury.

In Valdocco there were nostoves either in church or dor-mitories or in the classrooms.There were stoves in the roomsfor distinguished guests andthen in Don Bosco’s room and inthe rooms of the senior confreresto give as much warmth aspossible.

The stoves were usually ofterra-cotta, metal or even stone,fired by firewood or charcoal.There were also sheet metalstoves that burned on sawdust.

Winter clothingIn Valdocco therefore, the com-

munity was only kept warm byanimal heat, firstly by closingdoors, windows and pluggingcracks, because “the chill could bethe death of you.” The only othermode of keeping out the cold,other than food – which was nei-

ther rich nor plentiful – was tocover well. It was not alwayseasy, especially when the boyswere in hospital without anywinter wear, hence Don Bosco’smany requests to the Ministry ofWar for winter wear and mili-tary blankets for his orphans.One of these requests dates backto the winter of 1860 and theminister’s response deserves tobe reported:

“Ministry of War, Turin, thisday of December 5, 1860, theDirectorate General of MilitaryAdministration n 7818

This ministry, in acceding toyour request is able to supplyclothing for your poor boardersprovided proper arrangements aremade to store the goods, that theymay be put to their designated use.

Request for the same may bemade at the director of thewarehouse.

The following items are issued:- Used linen trousers 304- Woolen vests 100- Cotton shirts 107- Pairs of woolen socks 1000- Pairs of shoes 150- Capes for external use 140- Used blankets 40,

A similar receipt was signed bythe bursar of Valdocco, Fr Alaso-natti. It only remains for us topoint out that the vests were not-hing more than vests made ofheavy fabric of cotton, soft andwooly that the military woreover their shirts in winter. Val-docco found a use for everythingto supplement for the lack ofheating. On the other hand,everything was used sparinglybecause that was the only wayto get by. Not for nothing wasDon Bosco very demanding. One

day when Fr G. Barberissuggested that a heater be put inthe library of the priests andteachers, he replied: “Do what-ever is necessary, but let us for-get about stoves. In the seminarywe had no stoves anywhere, andno one ever complained. Every-thing worked out fine. Now wepractically have a mania forheating everywhere. I find ithard to remain silent when it’sa question of avoiding waste ofmoney. If a room is kept tightlyclosed and there are severalpeople in it, why do we needheating?” (EBM 13,698)

Other occasionsThe growing demand and

facilities today coupled with ourpresent physical frailty, redou-bles our admiration for our el-ders, even if we no longer wishto imitate them. It is clear how-ever, that if in Don Bosco’s timeat Valdocco, they suffered thecold. This was not due to anykind of penny pinching but dueto the state of poverty that thecommon people in the cityexperienced. That’s not how it istoday.

Don Bosco, having alwaysgiven an example of mortifi-cation in enduring the colddespite his infirmities, he neverceased to do all that was in hispower to alleviate the hardshipsfor his boys during the winter.Right up to his last illness inDecember ’87-88, he would askall the Salesians who visited himabout their health, “if they werewell protected from the cold, andif they needed anything.” (MB18, 489) The cold that he suff-ered throughout his life was notwhat he wanted for his boys.


PREDESTINEDPREDESTINEDPREDESTINEDPREDESTINEDPREDESTINEDby Gianni Sangalli

When there’s a birthday athome, more specially mo-

ther’s birthday her children comefrom near and far to wish her, tobring her gifts as tokens of theiraffection. On that day motherfinds the time to talk to each ofthem, giving them advice andoffering them her recommenda-tions.

It is with such love and with afervent desire to listen to her ad-vice that we want to celebrate thefeast of the Immaculate. It is thefeast day of the Mother that Jesusgave us and who we “have takento our homes.” It is her feast daybecause the angel, sent by God ad-dressed her: “full of grace,” mean-ing, without sin, Immaculate.

A Very Dear FeastYears ago, in 1974, there was a

move (in Italy) to reduce the num-ber of religious and civic holidaysin the calendar because theythought that by increasing thenumber of working days theycould help the Italian economyrecover.

In that context, one of the feaststhat were listed to be suppressedwas that of the ‘Immaculate

Conception,’ but a quick surveythrough various sections of theChristian community immediate-ly revealed apparent oppositionto this idea and the feast wasretained.

What is it that makes this feastso dear and compelling? Perhapsthe Psalm that is read on this feastcould suggest the reason: “Weponder O God the marvels of yourlove.” Mary is definitely a uniquemarvel of God’s love and so wefeel obliged to continue to con-template her and to thank God forthis gift to humanity.

Blessed Paul VI in his discourseat the closing of the Second Vati-can Council expressed it thus:“Immaculate, therefore innocent,stupendous and perfect. She is thewoman, the true woman who isboth ideal and real, the creaturein whom the image of God is reflec-ted with absolute clarity, withoutany disturbance as happens inevery other human creature.”

What does it mean?Immaculate, that’s how the

word sounds, precisely meansspotless, that is, without sin: TheImmaculate Conception. You can

say that Mary, from the first mo-ment of her life, from her veryconception was under the sign ofGod, never under the sign of sin,not even original sin.

It was appropriate that it be so.The opening prayer of the Massconfirms for us the reason: “OGod, who by the Immaculate Conce-ption of the Blessed Virgin prepareda worthy dwelling for your Son,grant we pray, that as you preservedher from every stain by virtue of theDeath of your Son.”

As the moon shines with thelight of the sun, so Mary mustshine with the Divine Sun that shebore in her womb. This is what theChurch always believed, whenPope Pius IX on 8th December1854 solemnly affirmed: “Wedeclare, pronounce, and definethat the doctrine which holdsthat the most Blessed VirginMary, in the first instance of herconception, by a singular graceand privilege granted by Almi-ghty God, in view of the meritsof Jesus Christ, the Saviour of thehuman race, was preserved freefrom all stain of original sin, is adoctrine revealed by God.” Thisdid nothing but express the faithof the whole Church throughoutthe ages.

Four years later on March 25th1858, appearing in Lourdes at thegrotto of Massabielle, the Ladydressed in white revealed hername to Bernadette saying: “I amthe Immaculate Conception.” Itwas beautiful that the Madonnashould have confirmed that shewas pleased with the name thather children had given her:Immaculate.

Therefore Mary is fully blessedbut those blessings that St. Paulspeaks of in the letter to the

Ephesians are prepared for us too:“Blessed be God who has chosenus before the creation of the worldto be holy and blameless beforehim in love. He destined us to behis adopted children throughJesus Christ.”

This happened for us at baptismwhich was our “Immaculate Con-ception.” From that point we be-gan our journey to achieve it.

And it is precisely that on thisjourney that we find the Immacu-late as a model we must strive tobecome. Because – we should re-member well – the privilege thatGod bestowed on Mary, her Im-maculate Conception, became inher a way of life. She was obedientto the will of God which she freelyembraced.

So we have to sign up at theschool of Mary to become like her.

This is not some utopia. It is

The Lord chose her, the firstsince the creation of the world to

be holy and immaculate, andpredestined her to be the mother

of the Redeemer.


A Candle In the Window at ChristmasFrom St. Martin’s Messenger, Ireland

possible for us to imitate our sister;being also able to say every day,at every moment our ‘yes’ to God,so that our entire life becomes anact of generously responding tohim. This is exactly what it meansto commit ourselves to live animmaculate life “in holiness andpurity of spirit” … It means “tolive Christ” in our daily attitudes,just as Mary did, when she en-countered concrete situations,easy or difficult, grasping thetruth, the significance of thingsand the mysterious and verysweet relationship of childrenwho turn to their Father.

In “the divine plan of salva-tion” all this is described as “be-coming holy and blameless in hissight.”

Mary is ever ready to help: sheis the “woman clothed with thesun,” as the liturgy calls her, “theface that most resembles Christ.”As Dante says: “you are most be-autiful, the sacred reflection of in-

finite beauty.”Dostoevsky wrote that: “beauty

will save the world.” Mary is thatbeauty that makes God known tous without the use of concepts.

Mary is eternal youth. Haveyou ever reflected that in all herapparitions Mary is always pres-ented as a very young lady? Maryis young because she is withoutsin.

Within 17 days it will be Christ-mas. The Lord wants to find in usa worthy dwelling place: Maryhelps us to prepare that. We renewour commitment not to be over-whelmed by evil, even when thesnares are spread all around us.

We have this assurance: thatMary was there for the apostles,for the first Christians, for herpeople in the past and shecontinues to be for us a guide, ahelp, a sister and a mother.

We greet her with trust: “Hail,Immaculate Mary, full of grace,pray for us sinners.” Amen

NEWSBITS

Q. Was there a custom of putting alighted candle in the window as asign of welcome to the Baby Jesus?

A. Yes, the custom of a lightedcandle in the window onChristmas Eve was observed inmany Christian countries and itis still maintained in somehomes.The faithful in many countries

used to set up a candle in theirhomes on Christmas Eve andkept it burning during the nightas a sign of welcome to the newborn baby. Since the early daysof Christianity, Christ the Lordis represented by a burningcandle and having a lightedcandle in the window was asymbol of welcome to the ChildJesus.

GENOA“Let yourself be bothered by

Jesus, without dividing who youmeet in good or bad people,approaching everyone and seeingin everyone the face of Christ. It isthe Pope’s legacy to the youngGenoese. He responded to four qu-estions after praying in silence fora few minutes. The youngster ask-ed the Pope how to be missiona-ries to their peers, “especially thosewho live in difficult situations, whoare victims of drugs, alcohol,violence, the deception of the wic-ked.” They have also askedfor advice for daily spirituallife.

“You do not want pre-fabricated answers, butconcrete and personal. He-aring the invitation of Jesusis always joyful, and no onecan take this joyfulnessaway from you. Joy is notthe same as having fun.Becoming missionaries meansletting yourself be transformed bythe Lord. The Mission, by being amissionary we learn how to look.”

“Listen - said Francis, “learn tolook with new eyes, let the missionrenews your eyes. Look at the city,our lives, and our family. Thisexperience opens our eyes andhearts, as we learn to look with ourheart as well. Being more sensitive,more careful, look carefully at somany people who share life withus everyday but that we end upignoring because we don’t knowhow to look. We do not know whatthey are thinking or feeling or whyour heart has approached them.”

“The mission,” said Bergoglio,

“approaches us to the heart of somany people and this is a beau-tiful thing. It destroys hypocrisy.Finding hypocritical adults isugly but... Finding a young personwho begins life with a hypocri-tical attitude is suicidal!

The Pope therefore called onus not to divide whom we meetin good and bad people. ”Themission also helps us to look ateach other as brothers andsisters. The first thing is to loveyour peers. We can do nothingwithout love, a gesture of love,

a look of love. You can makeplans to help them, but withoutlove - that is to give life as Jesusdid - unless your heart is willingto love, you cannot do a goodmission.” “To love,” said thePontiff again, “is the ability totouch a dirty hand, look in theeyes of those who live indegraded conditions” and say:You are Jesus. I had occasiononce in Argentina to greet adetainee who had murderedmore than 50 people and Ithought that you are Jesus, hesaid that if you come to visit mein jail, I’m there, in that man.This madness of the cross iswhat it takes.” (La Stampa)


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.Belated thanks and gratitude to Mother Mary Help ofChristians for many favours received through her

intersession: my son’s and daughter’s jobs; the success of my daughterChrisan's studies and exams. Thanks Mother Mary, protect my childrenand me under your mantle and bless Chrisan with a good job also.

Filomena Fernandes e RebelloMy most sincere thanks to the Blessed Mother Mary for the successof my uncle’s heart operation and all the blessings received. Keep usunder your love and care and bless us always. Lovelyn Pinto, MangaloreA sincere thanks to our dear Mother Mary for all the graces bestowedon our five children, their spouses and our eleven preciousgrandchildren through the faithful recitation of the Three Hail Marys.Mama Mary keep us safe under your mantle blue. Mrs. Avis & Mr. B.A. Wright, TrichyMy belated but heartfelt thanks to Our Lady for answering my prayersand for all the favours received through my faithful devotion to theThree Hail Marys. Dear Mother, keep us safe under your loving care.

Isabel FernandesMy daughter had a fall and her hand was troubling her very much. Idaily recited the Three Hail Marys for this favour and for all the favoursgranted me. Mother Mary please keep my children under your care.

M. D’Silva, MumbaiMy heartfelt thanks to Mother Mary and Jesus. I prayed the ThreeHail Marys for my brother and he was well enough to travel to theUnited States. I had a fall and fractured my left ankle. There wasn’tany ice to soothe the pain so I used a hot salt water fomentation. Thefollowing day I developed boils all over my ankle. I fervently prayedthe Three Hail Marys and the doctor put a cast on my ankle and all theboils disappeared. I also thank Mother Mary for all the other graces Ireceived. Maria Sanchas, Mumbai

IN A CHEERFUL MOODRight TimingA burglar’s wife was badgeringhim for money.“Okay, okay, stop nagging,”grumbled the man.“I’ll get some as soon as the bankcloses.”

Courage to Face...“Just once, I’d like to see a waiterwith enough courage to lay a billon the table face up.”

Inevitable ConsequencesFather: “So you want to becomemy son-in-law, do you?Suitor: “No sir, I really don’t. ButI want to marry your daughterand I don’t see how I can avoid it.”

Personality Problem“How do you do, my dear?” saidthe old lady to the little girl.“Quite well, thank you,” was thepolite reply.There was a pause and then theold lady asked, “Why don’t youask how I am?”“Because,” said the child calmly,“I’m not interested.”

Agony and Ecstasy“For twenty years,” mused theman at the bar, “my wife and Iwere ecstatically happy.”“Then what happened?” askedthe bartender.“We met.”

Expecting BusinessA local busybody, unable tocontrol her curiosity any longer,asked an expectant mother pointblank whether she was going tohave a baby.“Oh goodness, no,” the young

woman said pleasantly. I’mcarrying this for a friend.”

Time Efficiency“Why don’t you get a goodbrush?” inquired an employer ofhis decorator. “You can do twiceas much work.”“Mister,” replied the painter,shifting his gum, “I just ain’t gottwice as much work to do.”

Brave Assessement“Don’t be so nervous,” whisper-ed the fight manager, cheerfully.“Remember, if he was any goodhe wouldn’t be fighting you.”

Top Level Intelligence“Well, I have quite a day at theoffice,” announced the businesstycoon to his wife. “I took anaptitude test.”“Oh, good grief!” breathed hiswife. “It’s certainly lucky you ownthe company.”

Utter Compatibilty“Henry, dear, we’ve been goingtogether for fifteen years. Don’tyou think it’s time we weremarried?”“Yep, but who on earth wouldhave either of us?”

Presence of MindA vain young man, honouring agirl with his presence, wanted tomake sure that she appreciatedher blessings. “I suppose,” heremarked, “You’ve been out withworse looking fellow?” She didn’tanswer, so he repeated the question.“Just wait a minute,” she said impa-tiently. “I’m trying to remember.”

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I wouldnot have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything yougave me.” Erma Bombeck


APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYERDECEMBER 2017

THANKS TO DEARST. DOMINIC SAVIO

LOVING CHILDREN TOTHEIR LOVING MOTHER

THEY ARE GRATEFUL TOOUR LADY AND DON BOSCO

The ElderlyThat the elderly, sustained by families and Christiancommunities, may apply their wisdom and experience tospreading the faith and forming the new generations.

I am very grateful to the Lord Jesus, Mother Mary and the saints for avery important favour received. Marietta Coutinho, AustraliaI would like to thank Jesus, Mother Mary, St. Teresa of Kolkata andDon Bosco for speeding up the process of getting a visa for mydaughter to come to India. It does take much longer, however, withfaith and prayers, we received it in record time. J. Alvares, Canada

Thanks to St. Dominic Savio, who is my patronsaint, as I am named Savia. As my mom told me, Iwas the answer to her prayer. I could not conceive.After two years of marriage I was operated butbefore the surgery I was kept in a room which hada picture of Dominic Savio and Mother Mary (thePerpetual Succour). I could feel their presence inmy life (a moral and spiritual support). After threeyears of marriage I conceived and through theintercession of St. Dominic Savio, I was gifted witha son in March 2004 and a daughter in July 2008.

I wish to thank Our Lady and St. Dominic Savio for the graces Ireceived through their powerful intercession. Mrs. Savia Furtado, Salcete, GoaI am sincerely grateful to the Lord Jesus, Mary Help of Christians,Don Bosco and St. Domiinic Savio for helping my son get a job aftera long period of more than two years. We fervently pray the ThreeHail Marys and the Lord grants our petitions. Xavier JayaseelanThank you, dear Mother Mary, Help of Christians and St. DominicSavio.I bought two scapulars of St. Dominic Savio - one I gave mybrother and the other to my daughter-in-law. My brother suddenly fellill. He was to return to the USA. He was in hospital in the States anddied a peaceful death in a nursing home. My daughter-in-law usedthe scapular and delivered a healthy baby boy via a C-section. Maria Sanches, Mumbai

It was on August 19, this year. My daughter was always bringingin her birthday at the Cross in Malad and from there go to theMount in Bandra. On the way to Bandra, on the Western ExpressHighway, the driver fell asleep at the wheel. He nearly rammedinto a rickshaw. We yelled and the car alongside us also drew ourattention to the fact that the driver had fallen asleep. As usual wewere praying the rosary. This I know for sure that Our Lady savedus that day. My special thanks to Our Mother and her Son. To oneand all I say: Please pray the Rosary. B.E.D.S. Mumbai

A small village in rural Russiawas beset by drought one

year and all the crops failed. Thevillage rabbi prayed to the hea-vens, “Why don’t you do some-thing about this dreadful drou-ght?” But the heavens remainedsilent. So the rabbi organized a ch-arity food drive with the neighbo-

uring villages to feed his people. When the rains came, they came inheavy and the local river flooded, killing all the livestock. The rabbiagain prayed, “Heavenly Father, my people are suffering so much,save us from this flood!” But, again, no help from God seemedforthcoming. So the rabbi lobbied the government authorities to providefinancial assistance to replenish the herds lost in the deluge. Finally, inthe wake of the flood, infection and disease ran through the inhabitantsof the village. The rabbi prayed once more, “Now surely God you willhelp us!” But the diseases ran their course. So the rabbi marshalledand organized the able bodied in the village to care for the sick.

Months later reflecting on the tragedies of the past year, the rabbiturned to God and accused Him, “Why did you not answer theprayers of my poor villagers? Why did you not send help to themwhen we were beset by drought, floods and pestilence?” After manyhours of anguished entreaty, a quiet voice answered the rabbi in thedepths of his heart, “Of course I sent help; I sent you!”

Yes, God definitely answers our prayers and sends help with orwithout our knowledge. He knows what is best for us under thecircumstances we are in.

Very often he does not give us what we ask for and this may evenlead us to despair. But be assured many years later we will realisewhat he did was indeed right and for our good. He does not performmiracles and magic to solve our problems. If we are waiting for suchacts, we will be sadly mistaken and disappointed. Like the rabbi inthe above story, we are his “miracle” workers among men. He hasgiven us our intelligence, talents and skills to perform his “miracles”to help others.

A Story about God and how HeA Story about God and how HeA Story about God and how HeA Story about God and how HeA Story about God and how Hemigmigmigmigmig ht answer our prayersht answer our prayersht answer our prayersht answer our prayersht answer our prayers

36December 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 April 28th , 2017, and I washeading to the railway station. Iwas riding my bike and suddenly atruck from the opposite directionbroke the road divider and collidedinto me. I was thrown down frommy bike and skid towards the endof the road near a tree. Mycellphone also fell out of my pocket.It was Our Lady’s protection thatnone of the vehicles travellingbehind me collided into me. Eventhe truck that collided into medidn’t bruise me. My cellphone toowasn’t damaged. The accident tookplace just near a statue of Our Ladyand I had a little statue of Our Ladyon my bike. Thank you MotherMary for your protection. Clyde Rodrigues, Vasai

Date post:	05-Jun-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	vuongnguyet
View:	219 times
Download:	0 times

DON BOSCO'S MADONNA HOME AT CHRISTMAS … · December 2017 2 Don Bosco’s Madonna December 2017 3...

Documents