God created us in order to live in communion with Him, to know and love Him, to serve Him, and in that way to experience the fullness of life that He wants to give us. As the Catechism puts it: "Man is made to live in communion with god in whom he finds happiness" (Catechism of Catholic Church, #45).
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
THE BOY PRIEST...Cont...
DECEMBER 8th 1841 Don Bosco was getting ready to say Mass, from the cold outside a boy slipped into the sacristy for a bit of warmth. The sacristan realized he was not one of the servers and chased the boy out. “Call that boy back. He’s my friend!” Don Bosco shouted. The boy was an orphan, out of work and an easy target for some swindler. For such lads the prison gates swung wide open. But just now a friendly work coaxed a smile from the lad. A Hail Mary together and the boy asked could he come back.
The following week there were seven boys. Then week by week they increased in number, coming to Don Bosco every Sunday for a short catechism lesson, for confession and Mass, and then out for the day into the countryside.
That’s how Don Bosco’s work for boys began. Like all beginnings it was hard and painful. He and his boys were pushed from pillar to post. The work was misunderstood by the clergy and looked upon with suspicion by the police. There were bills for the bread and clothing. There were harsh words and even insults at times. But Don Bosco smiled and kept going. His Bishop and also his confessor (now St. Joseph Cafasso) kept encouraging him. The “Lady” of his first dream continued to appear and point the way. He trusted that God would not let him work in vain.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Boys' Priest...
ANTHONY SNARLED “Get these books out of here look at me. I’m big & strong, and I can’t read or write.” “That’s nothing to brag about,” retorted John, picking the books up of the floor. “Look at our mule. He’s strong than you and he can’t read or write either!”
That sounds funny to us. But to Margaret Bosco it meant quarrels and hurt feelings. If John was ever to become a priest she wanted him to make a start now. At the age of twelve John left home for the nearby town of Castelnuovo, where he could go to school. After school hours he worked at any trade where he could find an opening – tailor, blacksmith, carpenter, and writer – anything to earn some money to buy clothing and pay for his lodgings. He completed the three years courses in two years ending up with the highest possible marks.
In 1837 he entered the diocesan seminary. Now he earnestly prepared himself for the work God wanted him to do. Four years later, to his mother’s unspeakable joy, John was ordained and said his first Mass at the alter where he used to serve as a boy. Now everyone call “Don” (Father) Bosco.
That sounds funny to us. But to Margaret Bosco it meant quarrels and hurt feelings. If John was ever to become a priest she wanted him to make a start now. At the age of twelve John left home for the nearby town of Castelnuovo, where he could go to school. After school hours he worked at any trade where he could find an opening – tailor, blacksmith, carpenter, and writer – anything to earn some money to buy clothing and pay for his lodgings. He completed the three years courses in two years ending up with the highest possible marks.
In 1837 he entered the diocesan seminary. Now he earnestly prepared himself for the work God wanted him to do. Four years later, to his mother’s unspeakable joy, John was ordained and said his first Mass at the alter where he used to serve as a boy. Now everyone call “Don” (Father) Bosco.
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