The Reply

With the admonition of the Hoy See, Don Bosco suspended the reprinting of the St. Peter’s Centenary booklet. Father Joseph Oreglia, SJ informed him about the said admonition. However, Don Bosco drafted a respectful reply to the observation made about the booklet. He asked the cleric Louis Chiapale to copy the reply and to transcribe the letters of the Archbishop of Turin and the report of the consulter of the Sacred Congregation of the Index. Don Bosco made explanations with regard to the booklet and immediately mailed it to Rome. BM 66

Keep in mind that Don Bosco did not stop at being ostracized. He believed that the had a point, and with this, he responded to the opposition with full respect and obedience. If you have misunderstandings with a superior, come to terms first with dialogue, and if all else fails, consider your vow of obedience.

Article 67: Personal Obedience and Freedom “...He obeys with faith and sees in the superior an aid and a sign which God uses to manifest his will. Obedience like this ‘leads to maturity by extending the freedom of the sons of God.’”