The Venerable Don Bosco, the Apostle of Youth/Chapter X
CHAPTER X
PLAN OF STUDIES. SOME REMARKABLE PUPILS OF DON BOSCO
The following brief sketch of Don Bosco's plan of studies drawn by one of his pupils is of interest. "On leaving the primary school the boys attended a professional school of arts and trades, or went through a secondary course of literary and scientific instruction in the Salesian institutions. Each pupil was guided to a choice of his studies in accordance with his inclinations.
"Don Bosco established agricultural schools in the country as well as industrial schools in towns; thus his work was universal. He observed with particular care the aptitude of his pupils; the orphanages were like nurseries, from which he yearly transplanted the best saplings to better ground. From the primary school these pupils passed to a college or gymnasium of classical instruction; and again, when there were vacancies, into the large seminaries. He endeavored to assist without forcing vocations, and he knew how to draw forth natural gifts. His observation and influence in this way were perhaps among the most remarkable of his faculties."
"The educative system of Don Bosco," writes the Director of a Government Normal School, "is modelled upon the gentleness of St. Francis of Sales—the preventive system. In every case he endeavored to hinder the entrance of evil amongst the young by kindly treatment and constant watchfulness. Games, music, etc., were for him efficacious means for securing good order, cultivating virtue and preserving health By his marvellous natural gifts in the guidance of the young, by his perseverance, by the incredible practical results he obtained, he has become immortal, and not without reason is he called a world-wide miraculous teacher."
Among the pupils of Don Bosco there were some who attained in their early years to remarkable sanctity. The biographies of several of these lovers of Jesus, who died young, were written by Don Bosco himself in picturesque and touching detail. There was Michael Magone, thirteen years of age, whom Don Bosco, while waiting an hour at Carmagnola for the Turin train, had found ruling in the street as a general a large band of boys. After a little friendly conversation with the Apostle of Youth, begun with a good deal of bravado, Magone confessed shamefacedly that he would like to be a priest. This was the boy for Don Bosco. In a few days he was installed in the Oratory. From that day, diligent and serious, he made still more rapid strides in virtue than he did in his studies. His horror of sin was intense, and his burning love of the Blessed Sacrament led him to spend hours at the foot of the altar. If Magone had lived he would have become one of the most eminent among the Italian clergy.
A record of his dying moments from the pen of Don Bosco will move and instruct my readers as it has moved and instructed me:
"Suddenly he said, 'Stay with me, Father.'
"'Be sure,' I said, 'I shall not leave you until you are with our Saviour in Heaven; but as you are going to leave this world, would you not like to say farewell to your mother?"
"'I do not like to give her such pain.'
"'But you will send her a message, at least?'
"'Yes, Father; ask her to pardon all the sorrow and trouble I caused her during my life; tell her I repent bitterly, that I love her very much; she must be brave, and I shall wait for her in Heaven.'
"At these words those present could not restrain their tears. I suppressed mine as well as I could, and asked him a few questions now and then.
"What shall I say to your companions?"
"'Tell them always to make good confessions.'
"'Which of the actions of your life gives you now most pleasure?'
"'The remembrance of even the little I have done in honor of the Blessed Virgin. O Mary, Mother of God, how happy it is to die your servant! Yet, Father, one thought troubles me. When my soul separates from my body, and enters the eternal kingdom, what shall I do?
"'Do not be afraid', I answered, 'the Blessed Virgin will accompany you before the Sovereign Judge; leave all to her. But before you go I will give you a message.' "'Yes, Father.'
"'When you see the Blessed Mother of our Saviour in paradise, present humble, respectful greetings from all here. Ask her to bless us and take us under her powerful protection, that not one of us, nor those whom Providence will send to our Oratories, may be lost.'
"'I will, Father.'"
How simple and beautiful the faith of both!
Little Camillus Gavio was with them only a few months when he was called to be a companion of the angels; yet in that brief period he left an ineffaceable memory of his holiness. So remarkable was his talent for painting and sculpture, that the Turin government had decided that he should continue his artistic studies at the expense of the State.
Don Bosco gave exquisite sketches of several other young lives, which I hope will some day be done into choice English by one of their Salesian descendants as the Life of Dominic Savio has already been rendered, the little fifteen year boy who was another St. Aloysius. Among these are "Young Louis Comollo," "Some Salesian Contemporaries," "Young Francis Besucco, or the Little Shepherd of the Alps," and "Mary of the Angels, a Carmelite Nun." Above them all, however the holiness of young Dominic Savio shines like a star. He was born at Chieri, April 2, 1842, and died at Mondonio, March 9, 1857. In October 1864, Don Bosco first met him and seeing in a brief time the beauty of his soul he took him to Turin as one of his chosen boys. Upon the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 he formed an association in honor of Mary Immaculate and drew up a rule for its members, the chief maxim of which was "Serve ye the Lord with joy." He used to say: "He who seeks before all things the will of God is on the road to sanctity." This innocent and zealous youth was favored with many supernatural communications from God. Don Bosco describes a wonderful vision he had of the return of England to the Catholic faith; it was only a little later that Pius IX established the Catholic hierarchy in England. When Heaven was spoken of he would faint away in his companions' arms. After Dominic's death many extraordinary favors were obtained through his prayers; ten of these supernatural graces have been related by Don Bosco. The Cause of his Beatification was introduced on February 11, 1914.