My dear friends all know Don Bosco's love for Mother of the Lord invoked as Consolation, Immaculate and - above all - help of Christians. So he lived from very small so I sent Becchi and his boys at the Oratory when Mary was felt as home, the mother of all the days that never abandons his children.
At full maturity of his work for poor youth, a few years after the first steps of the Salesians, the saint of Turin conceived the project of building a large church dedicated to Mary Help . Will be, tell your boys, the Mother Church of the Congregation.
But where will draw resources? As recognized by one night in 1862 one of his boys, Paul Albera, "I have a penny, I do not know where to get the money, but that does not matter. If God wills it will ". Once again
sleep and confidence. Once again the tenacity to projects that seem unattainable for those who have enthusiasm and good cheer but empty pockets. Yet the dreamer is certain that the company held because "the Lord wills" . Like a pact with eternity it were, Don Bosco performs his "business" to the dictates of a project that seems to verge on the supernatural . That same year, 1862, John Cagliero - another of his boys of the Oratory - Don Bosco admits that he spoke about his project. His testimony was contained in the Biographical Memoirs:
In 1862 Don Bosco told me he thought building a great church and worthy of the Blessed Virgin.
- So far, he said, we solemnly celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate. But the Virgin wants the honor with the title of Mary Help of Christians, are very sad times and we need the Holy Virgin help us to preserve and defend the Christian faith. You know why?
- I - I answered - that will be the "mother church" of our future congregation, and the center where will all our work for youth.
- You guessed it, I said, Mary is the founder and will be a great supportive of our work. "
And it was. In 1863 work began and in 1868 was consecrated the new basilica dedicated to Mary Help . Like Don Bosco said on many occasions, the Virgin thought that the money arrived. Of course not without great effort by the Don Bosco himself.
Miracle or not, the fact is that audacity in undertaking major projects and the certainty of God's help, drove the work of our father who is not saved - however - hardships and sacrifices to reach out to Providence.
"I have a penny ..." . How many times would repeat this scene? is the fate of the poor who always hopes and who has decided to rely on new roads in whispers dreams for those who walk with courage and a dash of daring.
Your friend, Jose Miguel Núñez
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