Mary, Work, Poverty

Don Bosco faced a serious problem of meeting a payroll of about four thousand Lire. To get the money, he sent Fr. Rua together with some lay Salesians to look for benefactors in the town. Unfortunately, they were not able to meet the total payroll, and just collected a thousand Lire. They handed the sum to Don Bosco, who cheered them up and said that God will take care of the rest. He went father that where Don Rua had gone, and he found himself near Porta Nuova. Here he was able to gather funds when he met a family whose one of the members had a serious illness. Through him and with the help of our Lady, the man was cured. The family handed him the sum needed to complete the payroll. BM 43

Keep in mind that Don Bosco was not a pauper, but he was able to beg out in the streets for the welfare of the boys. Poverty calls us to do the same: to do our work well, and leave the rest to God.

Article 121: Nature and service of Authority “In imitation of Christ and in his name, authority in the Congregation is exercised according to the spirit of Don Bosco as a service to brothers for discerning and fulfilling the Father’s will. This service is directed to fostering charity, coordinating the efforts of all, animating, orientating, making decisions, giving corrections, so that our mission may be accomplished..."