Cheerfulness

Don Bosco's frequent trips during this year [1865] caused surprise, since he had never done that before. Of course, there was a reason for it - the new church. Even more surprising was his constant serenity and cheerfulness, notwithstanding his ailments, tolls, rebuffs and other heavy crosses. He loved to joke. For some time now he had been in the habit of jestingly conferring titles of nobility such as "Count of Becchi" or "Marquis of Valcappone" on his senior lay coworkers, not only within the Oratory but also outside, especially when traveling with any of them during the summer months. They, in turn, simply but respectably dressed, enjoyed the joke and went along with it, playing their part well. Occasionally their fellow travelers would wonder at finding themselves in such distinguished company. Now and then in small towns they might have to seek food and lodging in the local inn. Nonchalantly, Don Bosco would turn and say to his coworkers: "Have you had a pleasant journey, my dear Count? Aren't you tired, Marquis? What would you like for supper? As for you, my dear Baron, don't expect to find here the sumptuous dinners you are used to! My dear friends, you will have to be satisfied with what can be found in these outoftheway places!" Naturally Don Bosco was joking, but he did it with such aplomb that the innkeeper, his family and the regular patrons would hustle dumbfoundedly to make their guests as comfortable as possible, even to the point of giving up their own rooms. Unobtrusively the innkeeper would approach Don Bosco and whisper: "Did you say that this gentleman is a count and that the other one is a marquis'?" "They are very important people!" "Goodness, how can we lodge them properly'?" "Don't worry, my good man! They are very understanding and easy to please." Of course, Don Bosco's companions could hardly keep a straight face, but the makebelieve sometimes paid off handsomely. BM Vol. 8, ch. 16, p.101-102

Keep in mind that Don Bosco made sanctity consist in being cheerful. It is very consoling that even Don Bosco knew how to use a good laugh and infuse it to others. Likewise, it is very telling that Don Bosco does not want his Salesians to lose hope, especially when things get rough. He extols us to constantly look at the brighter side of life, and smile, laugh at things to remind us of the joy of heaven.

Article 17: Optimism and joy “...Inspired by the optimistic humanism of St. Francis de Sales, he believes in man’s natural and supernatural resources without losing sight of his weakness. ...Because he is a herald of the God News he is always cheerful. He radiates the joy and is able o educate a Christian and festive way of life: ‘let us serve the Lord in holy joy.’”