Loveable Don Bosco

There was nothing extraordinary about Don Bosco. He was admirably humble, and his constant joviality endeared him to us all the more. One day, when someone in his presence expressed astonishment that his predictions came true and that he knew secrets and matters that could not possibly be known, he exclaimed, "It's pure luck! Listen to this. One morning, in a convent, a nun utterly unknown to me brought me coffee. Noticing that she seemed overly concerned about serving me, I said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. . . .' [Luke 10, 41] I came to know later that she went about telling the other nuns: 'Don Bosco is really a saint, a prophet. He knew my name, though I am a perfect stranger to him.' In fact, that happened to be her name." Likewise, there was nothing austere about him. He was always free and easy. His amiability won the hearts of all and his saintliness did not repel or make anyone uneasy. In fact, his conversation was very much sought after. His easy manners made him welcome even to those of a different ideology. Don Bosco was one of those few who can live a most joyous serene life patterned after that of their Divine Model. We can best eulogize him by applying to him what St. Francis Borgia's sister said of St. Teresa of Avila: "God be praised for having us meet a saint we can all imitate! Her tenor of life is quite ordinary. She eats, sleeps, talks and laughs like any of us without airs or affectation. She acts like one of us, and yet it is evident that she is full of God's spirit." BM Vol. 8, ch. 25, p.156

Keep in mind that Don Bosco was not only a builder of communities, but a builder of families. He wanted everyone to feel at home in all his establishments and he never makes people uneasy about their status in the house. As a Salesian, be like Don Bosco, always open, free, cheerful and above all, a good example to all.

Article 16: Family Spirit “Don Bosco wanted everyone to feel at home in his establishments. The Salesian house becomes a family when affection is mutual and when all, both confreres and young people, feel welcome and responsible for the common good...”