Sharers in the building of the Kingdom

The church's construction kept proceeding quite swiftly, but the lottery returns could not match the outlays. It was under these circumstances that Don Bosco's trust and devotion to Our Lady shone most beautifully. Generously he undertook daily to find the necessary means, notwithstanding unavoidable difficulties and worries. Finding himself very often without funds for either the payroll or materials, he called on or wrote to the sick or others who he knew were in difficulties, exhorting them to turn confidently to the Blessed Virgin and promise a donation for the new church. In this manner he showed them how to obtain their desires, found the means for his undertaking, and fostered devotion and gratitude to his heavenly benefactress.

Thus, within 1865, the edifice reached to the roof. The vaulted ceilings, except for the dome, were also completed.

While this work was going on, an incident astonished the workers. A street vendor who had come to the Valdocco area at the beginning of summer to peddle fruit, hearing that the Church of Mary, Help of Christians was being built with the private contributions of the faithful, was moved to give his mite too. Poor though he was, he went to the foreman and offered him all the fruit he had on his cart for distribution to the workmen. Then, desiring to give a more personal contribution, with some help he loaded a heavy stone on his back and started up the scaffolding. The good old man tottered under his heavy burden, but his religious enthusiasm lightened it for him. Upon reaching the top, he put down the stone, cheerfully exclaiming, "Now I shall die happy, for I hope to share in some way in all the good that will be done in this church." BM Vol. 8, ch. 8, p.64

Keep in mind that Don Bosco is not a wonder worker of his own. He would exhort everyone, young, old, rich and even the poor to make his personal contributions for the building up of God's kingdom on earth. Don't think that you could save the world yourself, too. Ask the help of people, and event though you don't see it, have trust that you are not alone in your work.

Article 26: The young to whom we are sent "...With Don Bosco we reaffirm our preference for the young who are 'poor, abandoned and in danger,' those who have greater need of love and evangelization, and we work especially in areas of greatest poverty."