Trust in Mary

At the "Good Night" on Monday, January 1, 1866, Don Bosco spoke thus: I seemed to be near a village that looked like Castelnuovo d'Asti, but was not. You boys were joyfully playing about 'in a vast, open prairie, when suddenly water surged from the far end of the plain and we found ourselves surrounded by a flood that kept rushing toward us. Very much frightened, we ran as fast as we could toward a thickwalled, isolated grist mill and did not stop until we got to its courtyard. The surging flood, however, soon reached us, forcing us to seek safety in the upper floors, wherefrom we could gauge the wide sweep of the disaster. The whole prairie was filled with gushing water. The water kept rising and so we had to climb to the top floor. Realizing that our situation was desperate, I urged you to put all your trust in God and in Our Blessed Mother. As the water neared the top floor and chilled our hearts with terror, a huge raft suddenly materialized in front of us. It was our only chance for safety. Breathless with fear, everyone wanted to jump on it, but no one dared because a wall jutting out of the water kept the raft away from the building. The only way to get across the water was by treading a long, narrow tree trunk connecting the raft with the mill. But this was risky because one end of the trunk rested on the raft and kept bobbing up and down. Bracing myself, I was the first to cross over. Other clerics were helping you as well. Meanwhile, many boys were growing impatient. Spotting a long, wide plank floating by, they seized it and maneuvered it into position to use as a gangplank to the raft. Then, either out of panic or recklessness, they rushed onto it without waiting for help. "Wait, wait!" I shouted. They paid no attention to me. Bumping into each other or otherwise losing their balance, many fell off and were swallowed up by the murky, putrid waters. Eventually, the unsteady catwalk overturned. All in all, onefourth of you boys were lost. Up to this point I had been steadying my end of the tree trunk while you were crossing. The flood was ever rising. Seeing those boys in their predicament, I shouted to them to pray with all their hearts and not to panic. Then I told them to link their arms and step down to the raft. They followed my instructions and with their companions' help boarded the raft. When all of you were safely aboard I took command. "Mary is the Star of the Sea," I said, "She never forsakes those who trust in Her, so let us get under Her protecting mantle. She will lead us out of danger and guide us safely to port." BM Vol. 8, ch. 23, p.143-144

Keep in mind that Don Bosco, even in his dreams, sought the welfare of his boys. He was not alarmed even if death or peril would take him, his only mission was to save souls and bring them to God. This kind of sacrifices would not be attained if a Salesian would not have a sure recourse to Mary. Have faith in Mary’s graces, and you will see what miracles are.

Article 34: Evangelization and Catechesis “...We walk side by side with the young so as to lead them to the Risen Lord, and so discover in him and in his Gospel the deepest meaning of their own existence, and thus grow into new men. The Virgin Mary is present in this process as a mother. We make her known and loved as the one who believed, who helps and who infuses hope.”