Collaboration

On June 23, telegrams from Florence brought the expected, sad news that the bill confiscating the properties of religious orders had been passed by the Chamber of Deputies on June 19. No exceptions were permitted, not even for the famous monasteries of Camaldoli and Montecassino. Senate approval came on June 23, and the bill became law on July 7 when it was signed by the regent, the prince of Carignano. Thus religious orders were robbed of their houses, revenues and possessions, their only compensation being a scanty yearly pension. Very many churches were put to profane use; monasteries and convents were turned into barracks, prisons and schools; sacred vessels were sold to secondhand dealers and a large number of religious had to emigrate to other regions, especially to Piedmont, in search of an honest living. Showing his love for religious orders, Don Bosco hastened to their assistance. Father Francis Dalmazzo declared: I remember that Don Bosco offered hospitality in his houses to disbanded religious from every part of Piedmont. As a matter of fact, several religious, including some mendicants, benefited by his charity for some years, and even for life. He provided for all their needs. Likewise, when a number of Jesuits gathered in Turin and were ordered by the government to leave, Don Bosco sent me to their superior, Father Secundus Franco, to offer them hospitality in his name in any of his houses outside Turin for any length of time. I remember that on that occasion Father Franco was moved to tears and exclaimed, "How good-hearted Don Bosco is! He is truly a saint!" He asked me to thank him, adding that, though they were already provided for, he would always remember the charity of this man of God. BM chap. 34, p.184-185

Keep in mind that Don Bosco also collaborated with other religious orders of the Church. He was not a selfish father, providing everything to his children alone. He was a considerate and supportive man of the Church, who made very effort to spread not his fame, but Christ’s.

Article 48: Solidarity with the particular Church “...To forge more systematic links, we share initiatives with other groups belonging to the Salesian Family and with other religious institutes. We are ready to cooperate with civic organizations working in the fields of education and social development.”