Distractions from Sacraments

Another day Don Bosco told us this dream. "I dreamt," he said, "that I was hearing confessions in the sacristy thronged with boys, when, lo, a young goat wandered in and began to rove among the boys, gamboling with them and distracting them from confession. One by one the boys left. Finally, the little goat came close to me and brazenly tried to cajole away the boy then making his confession to me, so that I had to hold on tightly to him. Angered, I struck the beast on the head with my fist and broke one of its horns, compelling it to flee. I also felt like giving the sacristan a severe scolding for having let it come in. Then I vested for Mass and went to the altar. At Communion, not one but scores of little goats swarmed into the church through the main door and, scattering among the boys, tried in many ways to distract and keep back those who wished to receive. Some lads, who were already on the way to the altar or kneeling at the altar rail when enticed by the nasty tricks of the little brutes, returned to their seats without receiving. "Those little goats," Don Bosco concluded, "are the enemies of our souls who by distractions and disorderly affections strive to keep the boys away from the sacraments." With these and similar salutary talks Don Bosco kept preparing his Oratory pupils for Easter. Meanwhile, Lenten catechism instructions were given daily to them and to thousands who frequented the four festive oratories. He also made sure that all who had not yet been confirmed were adequately prepared to receive the sacrament worthily. BM Vol. 8, ch. 26, p.159-160

Keep in mind that Don Bosco hated distractions from sacraments. Among the things that would abhor Don Bosco would be the sin of Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, through the unmindful reception of the sacraments. Make your prayer the prayer of the boys, so that when they see you in communion with God, they will also follow your example.

Article 91: Opportune times for renewal “Our will for conversion is strengthened in the monthly recollection and in the annual retreat. These are occasions of spiritual renewal which Don Bosco considered the fundamental part and synthesis of all the practices of piety...”