Trust in others' generosity

After the solemn feast of the Immaculate Conception, Don Bosco had to go to Florence to raise funds for the Church of Mary, Help of Christians, and to promote the Letture Cattoliche. In Florence, as elsewhere, Don Bosco so captured the hearts of all that, when he announced his departure, the general response was, "So soon?" "I must return to Turin, Don Bosco explained to those who strove to persuade him to prolong his stay, "because I am needed there." As he was leaving the cathedral, he met Marchioness Gerini. "Why do you want to go back to Turin so soon"' she straightway asked him. "Couldn't you stay on a few more days?" "My boys are waiting for me." "Let them wait! They will see you when you arrive there." "My lady, they need food. If I don't provide it, they'll go hungry." "How many are they?" “NearIy a thousand." "I don't think a few days' delay would cause them great hardship." "Personally, I would gladly postpone my departure. If my Florentine friends are willing to provide food for my boys, I'll stay here till the end of the week." "How much would you need for your boys for those few days?" "Ten thousand lire." "If we raise this sum, will you stay?" "Surely." "All right, then. I will give you ten thousand lire." "I accept the deal"' "I don't carry that much money with me, but if you don't mind, I will send you the whole sum this evening at the archbishop's residence." "Agreed! May the Lord bless you!" The noble lady was for Don Bosco the instrument of' Providence. That same evening he was handed that sum. BM Vol. 8, ch. 21, p.136-137

Keep in mind that Don Bosco was sometimes ‘furbo’ in making divine providence work. He indeed meant his goodwill for both his boys and the Marchioness, but he was blessed by God with charm to attract even the most resolute giver. Pray too for this innocent charm, that divine providence may not catch you doing hidden motives, but flow through you for others.

Article 73: Poverty and the Salesian Mission “We are aware of the generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ: though he was rich he made himself poor so that through his poverty we might become rich. We are called to a life closely modeled on the Gospel. We choose to follow ‘the Savior who was born in poverty, lived deprived of everything and died stripped on the cross...’”