Part of the Family

Don Bosco always counterbalanced the serious thoughts which he so well instilled into his boys with games, songs and wholesome diversions. On January 5, 1866, for instance, shortly after narrating his dream, he sent invitations to the Oratory's main benefactors and to prospective ones as well to attend a play to be staged by his boys on Sunday, January 7. Soon after, he paid a visit to his school at Lanzo whose many new pupils he had not yet met. There, while at supper with the staff, he abruptly became serious at one moment and, turning to the director, whispered, "At this moment, at the entrance of the second playground, there are two boys by the water fountain who should be supervised. Send somebody there at once to tell them to join their companions." The director quickly sent a young cleric. "There was nobody by the water fountain," he reported, "but two boys" — and he named them — "were coming from that direction. I asked them where they had been, and they answered: ‘At the fountain.’” After night prayers, the director called them. They were newcomers. "What were you two fellows talking about this evening?" he asked them. "Nothing," they answered with embarrassment. "All right but come with me. Don Bosco wants to see you. He has something to tell you." Don Bosco eyed them carefully for a moment and then whispered a word to each in his ear. They blushed and, admitting their fault, promised to do better. Don Bosco heard confessions during the entire following day and then, after night prayers, narrated his dream of the raft. BM Vol. 8, ch. 24, p.151

Keep in mind that Don Bosco was a father not only by name, but by his very nature and even intuition. He ade everyone feel a part of the family, especially the newcomers and those who were known to be ‘different.’ with this he became not only respected, but adored by everyone.

Article 47: The educative community and lay people associated with our work “We bring about in our works the educative and pastoral community which involves young people and adults, parents and educators, in a family atmosphere, so that it can become a living experience of Church and a revelation of God’s plan for us.”