contentsdonboscosmadonna.org/2008archives/nov.pdf · november 2008 3 don bosco's madonna...

November 2008 2 Don Bosco's Madonna

From The Editor's Desk- Praying Badly.........................3

11 - The Coconut Missile- Fr. Erasto Fernandez. SSS....4

'To Be With People'- Fr. Suren................................7

For Those We Love- Stephen Redmond .................8

The Departed and Us, Purgatory, etc.- St. Martin's Messenger.......10

Witnesses In And For Our Times:St. Albert the Great (November 4)

- Mario Scudu............................13

Lectio Divina: Hail Mary-Roberta Fora.........................17

Quietspaces: Loving Life byRemembering the Dead

- Maddalena di Spello.............18

Family Matters (New Serial Story)- Collette Johnson..................20

Don Bosco's Daily Crosses- Natale Cerrato......................23

NewsBits..........................................28

Teaching with Don Bosco : FrancisBesucco: Christian Education......31

DON BOSCO'S MADONNA Mumbai NOVEMBER 2008 vol.10 No. 7

In a Cheerful Mood........................15Loving Children to their

Loving Mother..........................32The Devotion of

the Three Hail Marys...............33They Are Grateful to

Our Lady & Don Bosco............34Thanks to Dear

St.Dominic Savio.....................35

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS

Cover: Virgin with Angelsby

William-Adolphe Bourguereau1825 - 1905

In times of trial sustain us

with your presenceO Holy Virgin Mary,

and show usyour tenderness and

your love.


Praying Badly

Fr. Ian Doulton sdb

In the month of August I remember writing in this same space about the people who come to pray at

our Shrine. (Standing in the need of prayer!) But thennone of us can call ourselves "experts at prayer" or

have the monopoly over praying...and that is what spurred me on todwell once more on some 'residual' thoughts on prayer that remained.

A few months ago I was reading an article on prayer. Whatimpressed me most was the way it began: ‘The first thing I have toadmit when asked how I pray, is that I am not good at it.’ I was impressedby the obvious sincerity of a writer who could begin an article likethat. But then I began to realize that the same could probably be saidof anyone who attempts to pray. We’re not good at it. Let's admit it!

I began to think back over my years of preaching and givingretreats. I have listened to people young and old from variousbackgrounds, speak about 'their' prayer. Not one of them, as far as Ican recall, ever felt successful at prayer. Most people will say thatthey try to pray, but, that they don’t manage very well. ‘I really feellost when I go to pray,’ is a common enough complaint. ‘And I don’tseem to be getting any better at it as the years go on,’ peoplefrequently add.

And when I look at my own attempts to pray, I am forced to admitthat I too am not very adept at it. Occasionally prayer takes off and Ifeel good, but for the most part it is a struggle. Sometimes it is astruggle just to settle down: to be quiet and focused. Sometimes mymind simply wanders on its merry way, and refuses to come back towhere I want it to be. At other times the Scripture I have chosenfirmly refuses to yield up the treasure I know it contains. Andoccasionally drowsiness takes over, and I wake up to find that mytime of prayer is over!

At times like that I find St. Therese of Lisieux a great help. ‘It’s aterrible thing to admit,’ she writes in her autobiography, ‘but saying theRosary takes it out of me more than any hair-shirt would; I say it so badly!Try as I will to force myself, I can’t meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary;I just can’t fix my mind on them,’ (Remember that this is a great saintspeaking!) She then goes on to say: ‘For a long time I was in despairabout it. Now I don’t distress myself so much; it seems to me that the Queenof Heaven, being my mother, must be aware of my good intentions, andthat’s enough for her.’

I think St. Therese in that last sentence has put her finger on whatis really important about prayer. It doesn’t matter all that much howwell we succeed in having fine thoughts and nice feelings. It’s notwhat happens in prayer that is important, but the good intentionwith which we come to pray. After all, the real work of prayer ismuch more, God’s doing than ours. (cf. Romans 8:26)


11. THE COCONUT MISSILEFr. Erasto Fernandez, SSS

CEL SERIES

In a fit of playfulness, a monkeyperched on a tall swaying

coconut tree, hurled a coconut atthe head of a Sufi passing by.Having miraculously escaped anyhurt, the man quietly picked upthe coconut, shelled it, drank itsrefreshing water, enjoyed every bitof its kernel and ended up makinga couple of ladles with its shell.What might have been a painfuldisaster was turned into a positiveblessing in disguise by theresourcefulness and innerstrength of the Sufi.

Verbal MissilesThere isn’t a single person who

has not had things hurled at himby others all through life: insults,accusations, criticisms, rejectionand the like. But perhaps notmany would have acted like theSufi – taking what is good andvaluable in the missile andemerging as a better person,without bothering too much aboutthe offender or his intentions.What a different world would wenot have if everyone could followthis teaching, articulated soforcefully by Jesus: “You haveheard that it was said, ‘You shalllove your neighbour and hate yourenemy.’ But I say to you, Love yourenemies and pray for those whopersecute you, so that you may bechildren of your Father in heaven;for he makes his sun rise on theevil and on the good, and sendsrain on the righteous and on theunrighteous. For if you love thosewho love you, what reward do youhave? Do not even the tax

collectors do the same? And if yougreet only your brothers andsisters, what more are you doingthan others? Do not even theGentiles do the same? Be perfect,therefore, as your heavenly Fatheris perfect’.” (Mt. 5:43-48).

Supportive SuppositionsBut of course, if a person would

want to act in this manner, hewould first have to believe that s/he is truly a child of God, someoneprecious in the eyes of the Father,someone whom the Father willnever abandon no matter howfaithful or not s/he has been.Once this conviction is firmlyentrenched in a person’s mind,then it will not be difficult topersevere in doing good evenwhen the other is obviously outto hurt and destroy. However, allthis sounds very interesting andfanciful when spoken of in thesafe and cozy atmosphere of aChurch or prayer house. Mostpeople would be cynical of thisattitude in actual practical day-to-day life. The general opinionis that this is good and nobletheory but one that doesn’t workin practice. Out in the world, oneneeds to be tough in order tosurvive.

And yet, it is only the one whohas dared to practice this, even inthe face of great odds, who willknow from experience that whatJesus teaches is the true way tohappiness and peace. Most ofJesus’ sayings are paradoxicaland appear foolish to the rational


mind: think of the ‘turn the othercheek’ principle. Or again, ‘If yourenemies are hungry, give thembread to eat; and if they are thirsty,give them water to drink; for youwill heap coals of fire on theirheads, and the Lord will rewardyou’ (Prov. 25:21-22). What couldbe more cowardly and disastrousin real life… how could thisprinciple be applied e.g. in the on-going conflicts between India andPakistan regarding Kashmir?

It takes a man of super-humancourage and moral strength like aMahatma Gandhi, a MartinLuther King, or a Nelson Mandelato show us that this approachdoes work – even if slowly andunobtrusively. However, oneneeds to have the strength of one’sconvictions and persevere in theapproach. It certainly calls forgreat moral fibre, but isn’t thiswhat the Holy Spirit assures usof? ‘Do not be afraid, I am withyou … not a hair of you head falls

without your Father knowing it.St. Paul adds not just as theory butas something that he himself lived:“Owe no one anything, except tolove one another; for the one wholoves another has fulfilled thelaw… Love does no wrong to aneighbour; therefore, love is thefulfilling of the law.” (Rom 13:8-10)

Eucharist Paves the WayWhere does Eucharist come into

this kind of a picture? Each timewe listen to the Word of God, thegist of the reading is always amessage of love from our Father.When we train ourselves to pickthis up, and relish it till it becomespart of our habitual thinking, itinevitably deepens our convictionof God’s personal love of each oneof us. As we enter into the Tableof the Bread/Eucharist, we areinvited to surrender ourselves, ourlives, our plans, our successes andfailures – in short, everything thatconcerns us into the hands of this


loving Father. If we can do thisconsciously and at some depth, itwould certainly take the strain outof our inner battles and enable usto practice all that Jesus has taughtus… even to the point of beingready to give our very lives forothers, be they friend or foe.

It would be worth recalling,when was the last time that wehad succeeded in transformingan insult into something preciousand valuable? The gain wouldcertainly have been far greaterthan the intended injury. What ismost precious is the peace thatreigns within ourselves, a peacethat no one can disturb unless wegive them permission to do so.This approach does not imply thatwe live in a fool’s paradise. Itdemands that we look andevaluate whether there is anywrong that we might have doneunwittingly or unknowingly. Ifthat is the case, we certainly benefitby acknowledging our faults,taking responsibility for them andworking to eliminate what waswrong. The criticism oraccusation gives us cause to lookdeeper into ourselves, to trace ourhidden agendas and motivationswhich others pick up much fasterthan we normally do. Once webecome adept at doing this, wehave the key to our ownhappiness with us always, andno one could then really disturbus.

Again, it helps if we cangenuinely give thanks for theinsults and injuries we suffer, asthese provide us with preciousopportunities for conquest ofourselves. We could also pray forthose through whom we receivethese opportunities, together with

Jesus on the Cross when he said:‘Father forgive them for they donot know what they do.’ It takesgreat inner emotional strength tobe able to do this consistently andjoyously.

Another requisite which is agreat help is the conviction thatwhat others think of us doesn’treally matter in the long run.When we become slaves to whatothers think of us, there is nopossibility of ever attaining truepeace of mind. For then, webecome extremely vulnerable toeverybody’s passing whims andfancies. And yet, detachingourselves from the opinion ofothers is not easy at all. Further, ifwe have a clear grasp of what theFather thinks of us and of howmuch he values us, then theinconstant opinion of otherswouldn’t matter much. And ofcourse, God’s estimation of us ismore genuine, authentic andaccurate when compared to thebiased opinion that peoplegenerally have.

So, hold your head high andinvite one and all to throw asmany brick-bats and coconuts atyou as they please. The more thebetter, since you are the one whostands to gain and become richerand more human!


NewsVOCATION PROMOTION

"TO BE WITH PEOPLE!"Fr. Suren,

Asst. Parish Priest, Immaculate Conception Church, Borivli, Mumbai

Suren started thinking of thepriesthood when he was in

college. He was in senior collegeand had a very good group offriends of all faiths with whom heused to discuss religion, the world,what they wanted to do in life, etc.Sometimes, during those years,the idea of working with and beingavailable to people began to fill hismind. He had been involved withthe Church from school days in thechoir, singing and reading for dailyMass, and later, during his post-graduate years, as a EucharistMinister and a Parish councillor.When he was doing his MSc, hethought more deeply of thepriesthood as the best way that hecould be available for others. Fr.Ubaldo, his parish priest was verysupportive and encouraging.

It was, finally, only when he wasactually sitting for an interview atHoechst International to become aQuality Control scientist that hemade up his mind. When theyaccepted him and told him that hewould have to sign a three-yearbond, he declined, saying that hehad decided to join the priesthood...a decision that even his parentsdid not know about at that time(they came to know after he hadgot the admission in the seminaryand were really happy for him).Suren never regretted his decisionand his priesthood has been full offun and joy.

This story is based on an interviewI gave to children preparing a VianneySunday Liturgy. They have written itexceedingly well. We had fun whenthey asked if I had girlfriends, andI said, “Yes, many.” Then theyasked if I had been in love and I

said, “Yes, a number of times, andonce seriously!” and they all went,“Oooooooo!”

My mind went back to myinterviews when I joined theseminary. The first was confusingfor the interviewer. When heasked why I wanted to be a priest,I said, “To be with people.” Heasked again and my answer wasthe same. I don’t think he wassatisfied because he asked meto close my eyes, quieten myselfand think of Jesus talking to me.When he told me to open myeyes, he asked me again, and Isaid, “To be with people.” Thathas been the main reason forwanting to become a priest and itis what gives me the greatesthappiness. Being with people ofall kind, especially children whomI love, is the greatest joy of thepriesthood for me.

At the end of my last interviewthe priest asked if I had ever fallenin love and I said, “Three times.”He then asked if I had ever beenserious in love and I said, “Once.”The interview was over but I askedthe interviewer a question:“Whatwould you have said if my answerwas 'no'?" and his reply stays withme till today: “I would have toldyou to go back, fall in love, knowwhat it is, and then decide if youwant to be a priest. If you havenever fallen in love, how do youknow what you are leaving behind?”

I realised the wisdom of thatsentence. To be a priest is not tobe cut off from the world but tobe in the world, to be relevant topeople, to feel what youngstersexperience and to be able to say,“I was there, I understand.”

If you think God is calling you and you need help write to Fr. Brian:[email protected]


FOR THOSE WE LOVEBy Stephen Redmond

We call them Holy Souls. Theyare alive with their share in

the life of God gained for them byChrist their Lord. They are deeplyin love with God and they knowthat their loving union with himwill never be broken and thatheaven is assured to them. Andso in Purgatory there is ecstatic joyand unwavering hope. The souls

They are alive in Him although we say they died.They live in joy and pain not fully purified.Until they’re free from sinthey cannot enter into find in ecstasy their All-Desired.They are not lost to us but only gone beforelike pilgrims, just to land upon a radiant shore.In Eucharist and prayerwe show them that we carethat they should live in joy for evermore.So we remember them give thanks for them and prayfor all our brothers and our sisters on their way.And when they’re safely homethey’ll pray us who roamthat we may join them in eternal day.

live in “great expectations”.We call them the suffering souls.

They lovingly accept thepunishment due to their forgivensins. The chief punishment mustsurely be the “having to wait” forthe vision of God for whom theylong with all the concentration oftheir being. “You have made us foryourself, Lord,” said St Augustine,


“and our heart is restless until itrests in you.” His prayer certainlyfits the souls in Purgatory. Theyare agonizingly restless for God.

Probably too, they experiencerelease from the guilt of venial sinswhich they ‘carried’ unforgivenfrom their earthly lire; and also theexcision of the very roots of theirsinfulness: depth surgery, as itwere, in which the surgeon is thedivine Lover purifying the belovedmore and more into his own imageand likeness.

The Souls in PurgatoryWe are united with the holy and

suffering souls in that greatsharing of love that we call theCommunion of Saints. Its head isChrist. Its main activity (so far asthe Church on earth is concerned)is the celebration of the HolyEucharist. The Council of Trent,affirming the existence ofPurgatory, declared that the soulsin Purgatory are helped by thesuffrages of the faithful, especiallyby the Mass; so that we can saythat the Mass is the chief meeting-point between the blessed deadand ourselves so let us cherish it.

We can also help those whohave gone before us by asking Godto devote the penance-value ofwhat we do or endure to them. Wecan help by simply interceding forthem. We can help by gainingindulgences for them. In all thiswe show love, renew our ownfaith and hope and so draw closerto God ourselves. And let us havefaith that we are not alone in ourconcern for the dead. Christ andhis Mother and the angels andsaints are interceding for them too.

It is only to be expected and

entirely right that we shouldremember especially those wewere close to while they wereamong us. But it is a blessedthing, to open our hearts to thenameless others - nameless, thatis, to us but ‘known to God’ as wesee inscribed on the grave-stonesof some soldiers. I rememberpraying for a while to that saintwho when on earth was like mein temperament and conditions oflife. Perhaps we could prayspecially for our “twin soul” inPurgatory!

It is also right that we shouldcherish our memories of ourbeloved dead. But our prayers forthem necessarily contain a senseof the future - a looking-forwardto their entry into glory, ultimatelya glory that will involve the bodyas well as the soul. That is God’sabsolute promise to them. P is forPurgatory and P is for promise.And please God, who promises,we too will have that glory and inGod meet our loved ones againand perhaps discover that theywere helping us while we werehelping them.

“You have made us foryourself, Lord,” said

St Augustine, “and ourheart is restless until

it rests in you.”His prayer certainly

fits the soulsin Purgatory.

They are agonizinglyrestless for God.


The Departed and Us, Purgatory,Life After Death

by St. Martin's Messenger

Q. What do our departed loved onesknow about us?

A. This is not such a rare questionas it might appear to be. Manypeople wonder whether ourdeparted family and friends areaware of what is happening to usnow. Some people would be veryhappy if that were the case. Othersare not so enthusiastic about theirlives being under the gaze ofdeparted family members andfriends. It smacks too much of theever present modern camera.There have been many viewsabout this and they all assume thatthe dead are now in the presenceof God. Some few writers suggestthat any interest in those leftbehind would be a distractionfrom their present happiness, butthis is the view only of a minorityand is very hard to justify.

Others insist that the blessedknow nothing of what is going onin this world for the simple reasonthat the separated soul is no longerequipped for knowledge of thematerial world. Without a body it iscut off from that world, though ofcourse it would retain all theprevious knowledge and affectionsit had of particular people before

death. The great saints differed intheir view of this issue.

St. Augustine held the aboveview on the grounds that his ownmother never visited him toencourage and console him as shedid when she was alive. He wasconvinced that her new foundhappiness would not have madeher less kind and caring, if it werepossible to communicate withhim. However, he did not wish tobe dogmatic about this matter andsuggested that each of us make upour own minds.

St. Gregory was in no doubt thatthe blessed knew all that goes on inthis world, which may be relevantto their happiness. This knowledgehe believed came directly throughtheir intimate vision of and unitywith God. But he did not think theywould intervene in our lives.

St. John Chrysostom also believedthat those in heaven were alsopresent to those whom they lovedin this life by a new mode ofpresence, an interior presence. Hedoes not explain the nature of thismutual knowledge but he isdescribing an experience manypeople have especially spouseswho have achieved a deep level oflove.


None of the writers suggest thatthe souls in heaven are distressedby what they know, or that theydesire to intervene in our lives,because they are perfectly attunedto God’s will.

One thing is certain: just as wecan pray for them even though wedo not know their situation so theycan intercede for us even thoughthey know nothing about us now.What most people here desire is astrong sense of unity in love withthe absent loved one. St. Catherinetells us that our departed loved oneslong for our coming to join them justas our heavenly Father does.

Q. Isn’t there a story in the book ofMacabees indicating the Jewish beliefin praying for the dead… Could youplease give me an explanation aboutPurgatory? … I heard a person sayingrecently ‘you either go up or godown.’ What does the Church teachabout Purgatory?

A. In the second century beforeChrist the Jews came to believe thatby their prayers they could helpthose who had gone before them.Judas Maccabeus and his armyprayed that the sins of their fellowsoldiers might be blotted out. (2Macc. 12) After the life, death andResurrection of Jesus ChristChristians acquired the habit ofpraying for the dead from a veryearly date. The early Christians didnot believe that everyone made it toheaven right away. This happenedonly to the apostles and martyrs. Asone writer puts it ‘The early churchdid not seem to be very clear aboutwhere the souls of the faithful werebut she definitely knew that prayerand the mass could be of benefit tothe faithful departed.’ So eventhough the existence of Purgatory

was only formally declared byChurch Councils in the middleages, there was always a traditionin the church of praying for thedead believing that prayers werehelpful to those who had gonebefore them.

The Catholic Catechism 1030states ‘All who die in God’s graceand friendship, but still imperfectlypurified, are indeed assured of theireternal salvation; but after deaththey undergo purification, so as toachieve the holiness necessary toenter the joy of heaven. The Churchgives the name Purgatory to thisfinal purification.’ St. Gregory theGreat taught ‘As for certain lesserfaults, we must believe that, beforethe final judgment there is apurifying fire…we understand thatcertain offenses can be forgiven inthis age, but certain others in theage to come.’

We must be purified before weenter God’s presence. This is thebasis of the Church’s teaching onPurgatory. How will God judge aperson who has loved God andothers, but somewhat selfishly andimperfectly? Should this person diein that state he or she dies witheither unrepented venial sin or theeffects of sin in his or her life. Nowno sin can exist in heaven. In theBook of Revelations we are told thatGod’s presence is pure and holyand ‘nothing unclean shall enterit.’ So before a person who has diedin God’s grace and friendship canenter heaven, their sin must beforgiven and the effects of sin intheir person purified and removed.Catholics believe that the mercy ofGod is so great and his desire tosave us so strong, that God has thissaving provision for those who donot die in the state of grave sin butrather in a state of imperfect love.


PROFILES

'ONLY FOR GOD'S GLORY'ST. ALBERT THE GREAT (NOVEMBER 15)

by Mario Scudu (T/A I.D.)

The University of Padua wasone of the first universities to

be established in Europe. Alreadyin 1200 it was among the sofamous that it attracted students,from all over the continent toprepare themselves for their futureby studying, reflecting and evenhaving a good time as universitystudents are inclined to do, verycreatively and boisterously. Theywere offered some spiritualformation too, when the secondMaster General of the order of theDominicans came to theuniversity. His name was Jordanof Saxony and he was a German.He was not convinced about howeffective his preaching would benevertheless he preachedzealously what he had prepared.At the end a good ten studentsasked to join the Dominican orderand among them were twoyoungsters of noble Germandescent, one was called Albert ofLauingen.

Albert was an intelligentyoungster with a handsomeaspect who loved books and wastouched by the words of Jordan ofSaxony. He was sent to amonastery in Cologne for his

novitiate and then to studytheology. In 1228 he became areader of theology. He began aprestigious career as a professor,teaching in the monasteries ofHildesheim, Freiburg, Ratisbonand Strasburg. In 1243 he wasinvited to the University of Paris


where, in 1245 he was made aMaster of Theology (Magistertheologiae). He held the chair oftheology there for three years. In1248 the Dominicans restored theStudium of Cologne (a kind ofuniversity) and asked Albert,who was still in Paris, to becomeits director. He brought with himhis pupil, a very brilliant andintelligent young ItalianDominican named ThomasAquinas. The destiny of these twowere to be vigorously woventogether and would be of greatbenefit to the Catholic theologyand the entire Church.

A Model for Thomas AquinasAlbert was open to the truth

from wherever it originated andhe grasped the opportunity tostudy (even defective translations)of Aristotle who had influencedthe academic world of the time.Albert had great insights but theywere only partially realizedbecause he lacked clarity, asystematic and scientificapproach. All characteristics thatwould excel in his illustriouspupil and disciple: ThomasAquinas, Saint and Doctor of theChurch.

Albert, by his example urgedpeople not to be afraid of thehuman sciences because theywere bearers of truth and couldhelp us understand the Faithbetter. Endowed with aprodigious intelligence andsupported by a formidablememory he also studied logic,rhetoric, ethics and variousnatural sciences includingmathematics, astronomy, physicsand biology and everything thatwas available at the time aroundthe Mediterranean basin.

However judging by his critics, heearned just a few pages in thehistory of philosophy and further,a place in the history of the Churchas a bishop and doctor (with thetitle of ‘Universal Doctor’) butmore important he was a saint.

It is interesting to note that Albertdid not spend his life alwaysabsorbed in books. He was alsoinvolved in the political life of thecity of Cologne. In fact, he wascommitted to personally makingpeace between the rulers and thearchbishop. In 1254 he wasappointed the spiritual director ofthe Dominicans for the vastGerman province. In that positionhe demonstrated that he was notonly experienced in the study ofphilosophy and science but waswise and capable in conductingthe affairs of state too. In 1256 hewent to Rome and then to Anagniwith Bonaventure of Bagnoreggio,a Franciscan and close to thepapal court. There he successfullydefended the right of the membersof mendicant orders (like theDominicans and Franciscans) totake up assignments as teachersin the Universities.

Large shoes and a keen mindIt was in 1257, that the General

Chapter in Florence upheld hisappointment (as spiritual director)and so Albert joyfully returned tohis studies at Cologne. Hebelieved that he could nowpeacefully devote himself to hisstudies, but he was mistaken. Ashort time after he returned he wasnominated Bishop of Ratisbon(today Regensburg, in Bavaria).Pope Alexander IV who was awareof his intelligence and wisdom,sent him to the famous and thatprestigious diocese, which at that


time was fraught with moral andeconomic difficulties. Albertaccepted, albeit rather unwillingly,the wish of the Pope in Rome andleft for his new assignment. Whenhe arrived he was dressed in thehumble habit of the Dominicansand on his feet he had a large pairof beautiful boots given to him byloving friends and well suited forlong journeys. Things did notpass unnoticed. The nobility of thecity, superficial and proud of theglorious traditions of their city,hurled insulting and humiliatingcomments about the ‘new bishop’and his ‘big shoes’ who hadpresented himself so humbly (notpompous like his predecessors).So they naturally complained. Butthey soon realized that besides his‘big shoes’ the new bishop alsopossessed a keen intellect. In fact,he succeeded in bringing peaceand harmony to the city too. Heput order in the parishes,convents and charitableorganizations in the city so thatonce more they began functioningwell. Having completed hismission, he thought he wouldreturn to his beloved books and tohis studies at Cologne. That wasso, but not immediately.

In the following year he went onanother trip to Italy and reachedViterbo where the Papal Curiawas. On that occasion he met hisdear friend and disciple ThomasAquinas. A year later (1263) hereturned to Germany and toCologne to his beloved studies.But Albert’s life was not onlybooks and prayer but alsoapostolic and social commitmentstoo. During that time he was calledupon by various groups to bringpeace and harmony in the variousGerman cities that were fighting

among themselves.In 1274, once again he went on a

journey to Lyons to participate inthe Council there. This was a tripthat brought him much happinessbecause he would once more havethe opportunity of meeting his greatdisciple and Italian friend ThomasAquinas. But he waited in vain,because Thomas died in that sameyear at the Abbey of Fossanova.Albert however, activelyparticipated in the work of theCouncil with his knowledge andwisdom and the experience of hissanctity. But the knowledge thatThomas had preceded him to theFather’s house often brought himto tears.

Nevertheless in 1277, burdenedwith years, of fame and afflictionshe journeyed yet again to Paris todefend the memory of his discipleand friend who was accused by theBishop of the city, Stephen Tempierof being too favorable to theunbelieving philosophers(heterodoxy). Albert vigorously andadmirably defended Thomas, hisdear friend.

It is said that a gentleman cameto the door of the DominicanMonastery asking if the greatteacher Albert lived there and heresponded: “No, not any more. Heonce lived here, but I don’tremember when.” Was it justhumility or was it the disease thattoday we call Alzheimers?Perhaps a little of both. Albertreturned to God on December 15,1280, leaving his belongings to thepoor and all his books to theDominican Monastery ofCologne. He was beatified by PopeGregory XV in 1622 and made aSaint and Doctor of the Church in1931 and declared patron ofstudents of the natural sciences.


IN A CHEERFUL MOODWaist DeepWhile driving through Buffalo aftera heavy snow storm, a motoristnoted a cop, apparently waist deepin snow, directing traffic. Feelingsorry for him, the motorist called out“I’m sorry you have to work halfburied in the snow.”

The cop called back “Don’t feelsorry for me, feel sorry for myhorse!”

Gift ExcitementThe small girl had recentlyreceived a new watch and someperfume, which she was veryexcited about. Their family askedthe pastor over for dinner. The girlwanted so badly to tell the pastorabout her new gifts, but her motherinsisted she wait until after dinnerand not interrupt at meal time.

Not able to contain herexcitement, and not wanting todisobey, the little girl leaned overto the pastor during dinner andwhispered, “If you hear a littlenoise and smell something, it’sme!”

Natural AntibioticWhile serving as associate pastorin a church in the California goldcountry, I had an elderlygentlemen attend some of ourBible studies.

When he missed one week, Icalled to see if he was alright. Hetold me he had started to feel sick,but a friend had told him of anatural supplement that hadhelped him to get better right away.When I asked what it was, he saidit was available at health foodstores and was like a naturalantibiotic.

I again asked what this wondersupplement was called and hesaid, (meaning Echinacea)“Euthanasia, I think.”

Picture FavourDining out one evening, I noticedsix teenagers boisterouslycelebrating some event at anearby table. Toward their end ofthe meal, one of them got up andproduced a camera.

“Hey, wait a minute,” one of hercompanions said. “You have tobe in the picture too.”

When I approached and askedif I could help, the girl who ownedthe camera was delighted. Isnapped a picture of the groupand then, being unfamiliar withthe camera, I asked her, “Do youwant me to take another in casethat one doesn’t come out?”

“Oh, no, that’s okay,” shechirped innocently. “I always getdouble prints.”

The Cold TruthOn a cold night a man withreputedly poor eyesight wasdriving a friend home. The frostwas thick on the windows, andafter a couple of near accidentsthe friend tactfully suggested thatit might help if they cleaned thewindscreen.

"What's the use?" the driverreplied. "I left my glasses at home."

Putting it BluntlyAn English master, confronted

with what to put on a boy's reportwhen he knew the child wascheating but couldn't prove it,finally wrote down: "Forging hisway steadily ahead!"


Hail Mary,” is the greeting ofthe Angel Gabriel who was

sent by God to a town in Galileecalled Nazareth. This greetingwas addressed to a simple andchaste girl named Mary.

Who knows what disturbingthoughts went through the mindof that very young girl at thatmoment? She certainly didn’tunderstand the gravity of such amysterious greeting.

Yet, the plan of God was beinggradually fulfilled. Marypondered in her heart the wordsthat the Lord addressed only toher.

I would like to think that Marywas on her knees in her poor littlehouse absorbed in contemplativeprayer trying to attentively listento the Lord whispering to herheart.

I believe that we Catholics canconsider ourselves fortunatebecause since it is true that we

believe in God, the Father, the Sonand the Holy Spirit, it is also truethat we have in heaven a “specialmother” ready to support, help,protect and intercede for us sinceshe is so close to God the Father.

'HAIL MARY'by Roberta Fora

Meditating on this most common prayer is like meditating onthe Word of God...may it touch our hearts. (ed)


Mary is an exceptional woman,but she is also extraordinarilyclose to us, perhaps because sheis really a ‘person’ in the truestsense of the term with her doubts,her confusions, her anxieties andher sufferings.

Just think of Mary tired andexhausted with Joseph as theyreached Bethlehem because shewas about to give birth to the Sonof God, or when she was soworried before she found Jesus inthe temple of Jerusalem, and yetagain, Mary was weighed downwith grief, her heart full of sorrowas she stood at the foot of the cross.

If Mary is humanly so close toeach of us, could we not find thetime amidst the thousand and onepreoccupations in our day to turnto her and simply greet her with a

“Hail Mary?”It is a simple reflection but

incredibly profitable for us on ourspiritual journey in the interior life.

After all, don’t forget that eveneach of the saints at different timesleft us an example of theirdevotion to the Madonna. DonBosco, for example, among theother things, recommended thatwe recite three “Hail Marys” atnight before we get into bed.

This could possibly be a mostworthy and Christian way toconclude our day.

O Lord, help us always to keep theSweet Virgin Mary as the guide ofour lives and following her exampleof humility may we live simple livesand so reach the endless joy whereshe awaits us.


DEDICATED TO THE HOLYSOULS IN PURGATORY

LOVING LIFE BY REMEby Maddalen

In this month of November our Christian tradition ferventlydraws our focus to our deceased sisters and brothers. Visiting

cemeteries, maintaining graves, placing flowers on tombs andoffering prayers and Masses for the repose of the departed, form partof the devotions that the faithful undertake during this month in aspecial way. Some fervent Christians in their charity even spare athought for those whom no one remembers.

November is a time to renew our awareness that death comes to usall as members of the human race. We therefore realize more thanever that we are responsible for one another.

At the heart of our Christian faith is the belief that the dead live inthe Lord and therefore, we the living, are united with them throughprayer, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and works of Charity. As wepray for those in need of purification we hasten their ability to helpus through our earthly sojourn. This mutual charity assures us thatwe are not alone and our faith in this truth gives courage and newmeaning to our lives.

In the final analysis the cult of praying for the dead is actually thecult of life. We honour the deceased and keep their memory alive byaffectionately placing bouquets of flowers and caring for the gravesthat hold their mortal remains but more especially by the good workswe perform for the suffrage of their souls.

In the fourteenth work of mercy the Church believes that the livingand the dead are united and thus we pray to God for the living andthe dead. The deceased are remembered in the Eucharistic prayers atevery Mass as being close to the living. The Church seems to tell usthat besides loving those who are deceased it is our love for theliving, especially for those close to death (the elderly and theterminally sick), or those who live in a fragile state (the handicappedand the sickly) that we express our faith in this doctrine.

As believers, we should rediscover this act of charity as anexpression of our love for the deceased that strengthens certain


EMBERING THE DEADa di Spello

family bonds (God’s family), that areweakened by our dissipatedmaterialistic and hedonistic culture.

To begin with, the Christiancommunity ought to renew its faith in aChristian death by preparing theindividual Christian to end his/herdays with serenity and holy resignationthus preparing the person to meet theLord.

It is not charity to deceive the sick butit is charity above all to accompanythem on their final journey throughtheir illness, making them feel alive andsurrounded by love and thus banishingthe feeling of loneliness, helping themto cherish their suffering as a means totheir final salvation.

In the East, among the orientalreligions it is customary after thecremation, the ashes of the deceased arecollected, put into an urn and set in aplace of honour in a home. Thus thedeceased still has a place in every homeand the family still cherishes thepresence of the deceased. In thismanner the deceased becomes visible soas to underline the bond between theliving and the dead.

We might not imitate these traditionsbut we need to recover the sources ofour faith and the bond between theliving and the dead so that our love andveneration for every human person maybe more significantly expressed.


Dust you are, and unto dustyou shall return, but the Lord

will raise you up on the lastday...May they rest in peace.’ Awave of ‘Amens’ echoed throughthe small group of mournersgathered round the grave in ableak English churchyard, onecold, damp January morning.

The young dark-haired priestclosed his prayer book andstepped back from the graveside.He removed the stole from aroundhis neck, folded it neatly, andplaced it on top of the leather-bound book. He then made hisway through the mourners towhere Sarah Williams stoodashen-faced, staring into the opengrave.

‘I have to leave now, Sarah.There’s another funeral waitingback at the church. I am so verysorry.’

He shook her gloved handfirmly. ‘Are you not coming back

to the house, Father?’ she askedabstractly.

‘No. I don’t have time, but I willremember you in my prayers.’Head bowed, his tall frame movedsilently between the mourners ashe left the churchyard.

Still in shock, Sarah stoodstaring into the open grave indisbelief, until she felt a strongarm around her shouldersguiding her away.

‘Time to leave now,’ Jonathanwhispered gently. To slave off theicy wind that whipped round thetombstones, she held both ends ofher upturned coat collar with herright hand, while her left reachedup to secure her black fur hat fromwhich strands of her fair hair fell.

Tears of sadness welled up inher hazel eyes. After more than aweek, she was still unable to weepopenly. As her petite figure movedtowards the waiting car, she

New Serial


looked back over her shoulder,and saw that the gravediggershad already begun to fill in thegrave. She heard the dull thud ofwet clay hitting wood. A shiverran down her spine.

For an instant her thoughtswent back to that day, just over aweek ago, when her whole worldhad been shattered to pieces. Itwas a Saturday evening. She hadprepared a meal for her fiancé,Jonathan, in the family home inKingsborough, where she livedwith her parents, Tom and Bridie,who were on their way to London,where they hoped to spend theweekend.

Her parents were quiet peoplewho kept to themselves. Theannual post-Christmas dinner ofher father’s work colleagues wasthe only function they everattended. Her mother was veryproud of her husband, who hadraised himself up from workingas a clerk at Rexel Insurance tobecoming manager of its localbranch.

They had left around midday forthe three-hour journey to London.

‘We’ll stop for lunch on the way,her father had told her. ‘Are yousure you’ll be all right on yourown, Sarah?’ her mother askedher for the third time.

‘Of course, Mum. I’ll be fine. I’mtwenty-six years old and engagedto be married,’ she said, laughing.‘And, besides, Jonathan will behere.’

‘There’s a cooked chicken in thefridge for you and Jonathan, anda cheesecake in the pantry.’

‘Mum, will you stop fussing!’she said, exasperated. ‘Off you goand enjoy yourself. Dad will goberserk if you don’t get a move onsoon.’

‘Time we were on our way,Bridie,’ her Dad said patiently, ashe held open the passenger doorof the car. ‘See you tomorrownight, love.’

She hugged them both.

‘Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye,Mum. Have a wonderful time.’

She waved until the dark blueVolvo disappeared out of sight.

‘How many on your side of thefamily, Sarah?’ Asked Jonathan,as they sat together after lunch,compiling a list of guests for theirforthcoming wedding.

‘Only three: Mum, Dad andmyself.’

‘Any aunts or uncles?’‘No,’ she replied. ‘Mum and

Dad were only children, and theirparents died before they met.’

‘That’s unusual in Irishfamilies,’ said Jonathan.

‘Yes, I know. I would have loveda brother or a sister, but Mumcouldn’t have any more childrenafter I was born.’

‘Will your mother be able tomake the journey, Jon?’ she asked,changing the subject.

‘Yes. Try keeping her away fromher only son’s wedding! But mysister can’t come. It would be tooexpensive for her to travel fromAustralia with her family. AuntieDoris and Uncle George arecoming, and Uncle Henry and hisfamily. Shall we say twenty then?’he asked.

‘Twenty sounds fine,’ she


replied.‘Are you happy, love?’ asked

Jonathan, as they sat together laterwatching television.

‘Yes, very,’ she replied. She feltshe was the luckiest girl in theworld to be marrying Jonathan.Tall, dark and good-looking, hewas a computer programmer atthe electronics firm where sheworked as a PA to the ManagingDirector.

‘It’s hard to believe that this timenext year we will be husband andwife,’ she said snuggling up tohim.

‘Yes,’ he replied, sighingcontentedly. ‘It’s really hard tobelieve.’

Just after six o’clock the doorbellrang loudly. ‘Are you expectinganyone, love?’ enquired Jonathan,surprised.

‘No,’ replied Sarah, wonderingwho it could be.

‘I’ll go,’ he said, getting up fromthe couch. She heard the hall dooropen and the sound of a deep malevoice in the hallway. A fewminutes later, Jonathan returnedto the living room, his face deathly

pale.

‘It’s the police, Sarah. They wantto talk to you,’ he said, his voiceshaking. She felt a cold chill rundown her spine as a large, red-faced policemen entered the roomaccompanied by a young Asianwoman police constable.

They broke the news to her asgently as they could. There hadbeen a dreadful accident. A lorryhad gone out of control on themotorway, crossed the centralreservation. It had crashed intoher parents’ car, killing them bothinstantly.

Just as she was about to get intothe mourning car, Sarah noticeda large, thick-set man in hisseventies break away from thesmall group at the graveside andwalk towards her. She had no ideawho he was or why he was at herparents’ funeral.

To be continue

PRAYERGod, our loving Father,We thank you for the love you have lavished upon usby letting us be called your children,for that is what we are.What we are to be in the future,you have not yet revealed to us,but the love we have known in this worldgives us a glimpse of the wonderfully greater love we will knowwhen we see you face to face.May we treasure this hope until you fulfil it in heaven.Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen


Don Bosco: The Times, The Man,The Facts

DON BOSCO'S DAILY CROSSESDON BOSCO'S DAILY CROSSESDON BOSCO'S DAILY CROSSESDON BOSCO'S DAILY CROSSESDON BOSCO'S DAILY CROSSESby Natale Cerrato (T/A:ID)

Don Bosco's sufferings arementioned under various

other titles. There we mentionedsome of the great sufferings thatfilled his life and that he bore withheroic humility and patience.Here, instead, we wish to dwellon his daily crosses, passingthough they were, but no lessheavy. They pierced him likesharp thorns that he encounteredeveryday and that pierced him atevery step. In reality, the pricklythorns pierced his uprightconscience and his sensitive heart.These thorns would havediscouraged anyone less patientthan himself. What we presenthere are some examples of hisworries, predominantly of afinancial nature that he borebecause of the faults of others.

Writing to Fr. Michael Rua fromRome on April 25, 1876 he saidamong other things: “How manythings, how many mistakes!(carrozzini) and all of them comingtogether. They seem likefables!(Letters 1444) Here the term(carrozzini) is a Piedmontese termthat Don Bosco used to indicatethe grave and unexpectedinjustice of others that he had tobear, not because he was guilty butbecause he became the victim.

Three Significant CasesLouis Succi, an attorney and

proprietor of a steam-powered

macaroni plant in Turin, wasnoted for Christian virtue andcharity. He asked Don Bosco toguarantee a bank loan of 40,000lire. Knowing him to be a wealthyman from whom he had receivedseveral donations, Don Boscoagreed. Three days later Succidied. The term of the promissorynote expired, and Don Boscoinformed the heirs..

Cardinal John Cagliero testified:“We were at supper when FatherRua entered and told Don Boscothat Succi’s heirs knew nothingof the promissory note, nor didthey care to. I was sitting besideDon Bosco who was eating hissoup (Note that it was January andthe dining room was not heatedin any way.) Although he did notseem to be disturbed and did notinterrupt his frugal repast,between spoonfuls I saw drops of


perspiration fall into his dish.”There was no way of making the

heirs listen to reason, and DonBosco had to pay the moneyhimself. Only some ten years laterdid he recover most of the sum hehad guaranteed by his signature.

Another charitable act cost hima great deal, if not in actual cashcertainly in anxiety. A certain Mr.Joseph Rua of Turin invented adevice for a safer and easierexposition of the BlessedSacrament. It automatically raisedand lowered the monstrance andthe crucifix from the altar to thelittle niche above it, eliminatingthe risk involved in using thecustomary small stepladder. DonBosco, wanting to help, sent thedesign along with a letter ofrecommendation to the SacredCongregation of Rites. But the(Sacred) Congregation did notendorse the mechanism, andaccording to its usual policy didnot return the design. Later,however, to spare Don Bosco anyserious trouble, an exception wasmade and the plans werereturned. But Sig. Rua blamedDon Bosco, and sued him forsubstantial damages. Luckily thejudge did not agree.

The third distressing incidenthad its origin also in charity.During the winter of 1872-1873Don Bosco devised his ownsystem of soliciting alms. Thatwinter was memorable because ofa prevalent financial depression.In an attempt to raise money andto keep himself solvent, Don Boscosent circulars and raffle ticketspriced at ten lire each to a verylarge number of benefactorsasking them for a donation.

Circulars and tickets were mailedin sealed envelopes and the prizewas a handsome reproduction ofRaphael’s Madonna of Foligno.The civil authorities chose tointerpret this as a violation of thelaw against public lotteries andtook the matter to court. DonBosco’s explanation did not help.During the court proceedings hedeclared that “there had been nointention of speculating for gain;it was merely an appeal toChristian charity with thepromise of a modest prize as atoken of gratitude.” The courtproceedings dragged on and onuntil 1875. The verdict of the Courtof Appeals sentenced the “Rev.John Bosco, priest and chevalier,”to a heavy fine for violating thelaw on public lotteries. Yet, thetext of this harsh sentencecontains such remarks as “therecould be no doubt that theintention of the Rev. John Bosco,priest and chevalier, had beenabsolutely commendable…and

King Victor Emmanuel II


that the purpose for which thelottery had been organized wasmost praiseworthy… however,good faith did not exempt himfrom the penalty since the overtact in itself constituted a violationof the law.” The next sentence inthe verdict however remains quiteinexplicable. “But since he mighthave possibly gone beyond thepurpose intended…” Wassentence passed, then, on a merepossibility?

This implication encouragedDon Bosco to take a further step.He appealed to King VictorEmmanuel II. He implored him torevoke the penalty by royalprerogative, not for his own sakebut for the sake of the boys forwhom he had to provide, sincethey alone would have to bear thepainful consequences of the verdict.

The king graciously consented. Thedecree setting aside the sentencearrived at a most propitiousmoment, namely, on the very daythat Don Bosco’s missionaries weresetting out for (South) America. Butall that time, how muchtrepidation! (cf EBM 11, 195-196)

Don Bosco, for love of peacealways sought to avoid courtlitigation though he alone had attimes to attend to arrive at acomplete resolution. “Summum iussumma iniuria,” said Cicero that is,excessive rigor in judging is oftenthe greater injustice.

The Saint’s AdviceDon Bosco was so alien to

matters of litigations that this iswhat he wrote in his so-calledSpiritual Testament:

“One has to be very tolerant withoutsiders and endure even harmrather than end up with quarrels.Endure all that can honestly beendured in connection with civilor ecclesiastical authorities, butnever permit any issue to bebrought before a lay court.

Since despite sacrifices andevery good intention one must attimes face up to disputes andlitigations, I advise and recommendthat the issue be referred to one ortwo fully empowered arbitrators,subjecting the matter to their verdict.

Such action will safeguardone’s conscience and put an endto matters that, as a rule, woulddrag on at great length andinvolve many expenses, whilemaking it also very difficult thatpeace of mind and Christiancharity be maintained.” (EBMXVII p. 245)

The Madonna of Folignoby Raffaele


NEWSBITSWEST VIRGINIA, USA

“I’m living proof that prayerworks,” 23-year-old Sgt. Louis D.Romano said to the crowdgathered at Sacred Heart Churchin Bluefield after receiving thePurple Heart for injuries hesustained in Afghanistan lastyear.

Romano could have had themedal presented to him anywhere,yet he chose his parish church -the place where he and his familyreceived an outpouring of prayersand support. The lifelong memberof Sacred Heart, who was shot inthe face in the right cheek area onOct 27, 2007, in Afghanistan, was

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICASouth African human rightsactivist Nelson Mandela wasinspired by the Catholic Church’sinvolvement in social justiceconcerns during his many yearsof incarceration, he wrote in aletter from prison to the country’sfirst black Catholic archbishop.

Mandela, who eventually wasfreed and elected president inSouth Africa’s first inclusive pollin 1994, also wrote to ArchbishopStephen Naidoo of Cape Townthat he was uplifted by thepastoral care provided by clergy

surrounded by family, friends andfellow parishioners for theceremony on a recent afternoon atthe church.

In his remarks Romano said heappreciated the many prayers andcards and the support he receivedfrom the people of the parish, theBluefield area and beyond.

He also asked for prayers forthose still serving in Afghanistanand Iraq. “I’ve lost friends andthere are a lot of friends that aren’there today,” he said. “I ask thatyou continue to pray for ourfriends that are at war.”

Romano was deployed toAfghanistan in January 2007.Healso served in Iraq from December2004 to December 2005.

Romano’s mother, CindyRomano, said, “My son is ahero.”He did what he needed todo. We need to pray for ourmilitary. Support them and prayfor their safety and their familiesand loved ones left behind.” CNS

Sgt. Louis D. Romano wearshis Purple Heart presented tohim in Bluefield Sunday. Eric

DiNovo/Bluefield DailyTelegraph


on Robben Island, where he wasimprisoned for 18 years.

The content of Mandela’s letter,dated November 1984 waspublished for the first time in theJuly 9 issue of The Southern Cross,South Africa’s Catholic weekly, tomark Mandela’s 90th birthday onJuly 18.

Archbishop Naidoo, who underapartheid laws was classified as“Indian,” and Mandela hadbecome friends before hisappointment to Cape Town. Then– Auxiliary Bishop Naidooregularly made pastoral visits toarid and tightly guarded Robben

Island, where the formerpresident had been incarceratedfrom 1964 to 1982.

The neatly handwritten andmeticulously phrased letter washeaded with Mandela’s prisonnumber: D220/82. It bears anofficial stamp and signatureindicating that it had been passedby the prison censor. In the letterMandela noted that “in mypresent situation it will not bepossible far me to express myselfas I would have liked,” and inclosing pointed out that healready had exceeded thepermitted length. In a postscript,he added that incoming andoutgoing correspondence had away of disappearing.

Mandela expressed that hisfriend’s 1984 appointment asarchbishop of Cape Town “haspleased me beyond words.”

“The elevation of blackpersonalities to positions ofauthority in the church is adevelopment which has far widersignificance than many peoplemay realize,” he said. “For onething, it will remove a sensitive

Nelson Mandelaon his 90th birthday

The letter he wrote from prison to his friend Archbishop StephenNaidoo praising the role of the Catholic Church in the fight for

justice in South Africa.


problem which has repeatedlyrocked South African churches,kept each congregation dividedagainst itself, and generatedstrong and even violent passionsnot compatible with the teachingsof the Scriptures.”

In a response, dated Dec 5, 1984,Archbishop Naidoo said he wasencouraged by the positivereaction to his appointment.

“It has helped so many to seethe (Catholic) Church not as aforeign import, but as ours, rootedin our lives, in our needs,aspirations, sorrows and hopes,”the archbishop wrote. “On theone hand, I am awed by thisterrible responsibility, but on theother, I am old enough to knowthat there is only so much I cando. Need I assure you that I shalldo the very best I can, neverforgetting my roots in this belovedcountry of ours.”

Mandela also urged ArchbishopNaidoo to encourage interreligiousdialogue.

Noting that churches have made“many mistakes, some of them veryserious,” Mandela said, “it isinsufficient to say that those errorshave been completely dwarfed bythe enormous achievements whichhave been made, and this is theaspect on which builders andpositive thinkers will concentrate.”

In a later address at a Mass inthe Cape Town suburb of Athloneon Sep 12, 1993, Mandela singledout other priests who had visitedpolitical prisoners on RobbenIsland, at the Pollsmoor Prison ina Cape Town suburb, and inPretoria, emphasizing the morale-boosting properties of contact

with clergy.In his 1984 letter Mandela also

inquired about Archbishop DenisHurley of Durban, South Africa ‘sprominent Catholic anti-apartheid figure.

“Archbishop Hurley is often inmy thoughts, especially now. Iwould like him to know that,”Mandela said.

Arranging prison visits wasdifficult and there are no publicrecords of subsequent meetingsbetween the two men.

Archbishop Naidoo did not liveto meet his friend in freedom; hedied suddenly at age 51 on July 1,1989, less than eight monthsbefore Mandela’s release inFebruary 1990.

After his release, Mandela, aMethodist who reportedlypractises his faith discreetly,spoke frequently about the pivotalrole of religion in society. At a 1993Mass in Cape Town during whichMandela controversially receivedCommunion from ArchbishopNaidoo’s successor, ArchbishopLawrence Henry of Cape Town,he outlined the Catholic Church’smandate.

“The Catholic Church inparticular has played a veryimportant role in the fight forjustice,” Mandela said. “Thepresent Pope (John Paul II) is wellknown for being upfront in thisregard. I made the point to meethim when I was in Rome in 1990and what he said gave us ...a greatdeal of strength and hope.”

Mandela retired from politics in1999 after one term in office and wassucceeded by PresidentThaboMbeki. (CNS)


Remember, that the first way toeducate well is to help

youngsters make good Confessions,and good Communions.” DonBosco recommended this toeducators and put it into practice,for instance, in the life of FrancisBesucco.

Before coming to the OratoryFrancis was already trained toapproach both these Sacramentswith a certain frequency. AtValdocco it only intensified.

At the beginning of the Novenain preparation for the feast of theNativity of Mary, Francis went andsaid to Don Bosco: “I want to makethis novena well and among thethings I wish to do: I wish to makea general confession.” Don Boscoexplained to him that there was noneed for it. “You can be at peace.There is so much that you havetold your parish priest on otheroccasions.” “That is true,” replied

FRANCIS BESUCCOConfession andCommunion

by Claudio Russo

Francis, “I did that on theoccasion of my First HolyCommunion and when therewere spiritual retreats in myvillage, but I want to place mysoul in your hands and so I wantyou to know all that is in myconscience so that knowing mebetter you can give me betteradvice on how to save my soul.”

Don Bosco accepted. Headvised him to choose a stableconfessor very carefully, to prayfor him and to speak to him ifthere was anything that wasdisturbing his conscience. Afterthat, he helped him to make ageneral Confession.

Francis chose a confessor anddid not change him. Heapproached him confidently andasked him for explanations evenoutside Confession. He prayedfor him and was happy when hewas given good advice.


One day Francis received a letterfrom his village, Argentera. It wasfrom a friend of his who wanted tocome to the Oratory. In his reply,Francis advised him to pray to theLord for the grace, to make the Wayof the Cross often and above all tomake his Confession every weekand receive Holy Communionfrequently.

Don Bosco, in the biography hewrote on Besucco, gave his readersthis piece of advice: “While I praiseFrancis a lot for frequently makinghis Confession, I advise you withall my heart and above all, you mydear boys, to choose a stableconfessor. Change him only if it isreally necessary. Don’t change yourconfessor each time you go forConfession, or going to one whenyou commit a grave sin and thenreturning to your usual confessor.One who does this does not commita sin but he does not have a trustedguide who knows the depths ofyour conscience. What happens to

these people is what happens tothose who are sick and changetheir doctors. The doctor wouldfind it difficult to diagnose theillness and therefore cannotprescribe the proper remedy.However, rather than keep silentabout certain sins, change yourconfessor a thousand times if youhave to. In the end, remember thegreat secret of Confession and thestrict ecclesiastical secret, Divineand Civil. For no reason can hereveal to others the things he hasheard in Confession or what hehas said. He cannot even think ofwhat he has heard inConfession. The confessor is notastonished at what he hears andhis esteem for the penitent doesnot decrease. He is like a doctor:when he discovers a seriousillness in a patient he offers theappropriate medicine. Theconfessor is the physician of thesoul and as the physician of thesoul he heals its torments with


the absolution he imparts in thename of God.”

Lucky boys“How lucky are those boys who

frequently approach HolyCommunion with the rightdispositions,” concludes Don Bosco.

Francis was one of those luckyboys: his family and his parishpriest trained him to approach thissacrament. At Argentera, Franciswent to Holy Communion everyweek. Then he made it his habit togo on all feast days and sometimeson weekdays too. When he came tothe Oratory, Francis receivedCommunion several times a week,during the novenas and later, everyday.

Francis’ behavior became a modelfor his companions but at times hedid not feel he was worthy toreceive Communion. One day hespoke to Don Bosco about this.

“But don’t you eat every day inorder to give your body strength?”Don Bosco asked him.

“Yes.”“So, then, if you eat every day to

give strength to your body that willlive in this world for a short time,in the same way you ought tonourish your soul with thespiritual food: Holy Communion.”

“But it does not seem right for meto go to Communion every day,”said Francis.

“Exactly for this reason, in orderto become better, it is necessary foryou to approach this sacramentmore often. Jesus did not invite justsaints to nourish themselves on hisbody but above all those who wereweak, tired and those who detestedsin but who, because of theirweakness ran the risk of falling intosin again. Jesus told us: “Come tome all you who labour and are

overburdened, and I will refreshyou.”

“I seem to think that if Iapproach the sacrament rarely Iwill approach it with greaterdevotion.”

“Dear Francis, the more you dosomething the better you becomeat it. The same thing happenswith Holy Communion.”

“But those who eat sparinglyeat with more appetite,” FrancisBesucco countered.

“The one who eats rarely andfasts most of the time collapsesout of weakness and dies ofstarvation and the one whoovereats runs the risk ofindigestion.”

“If that is so, in future I will tryto receive Communion morefrequently because I nowunderstand that Communion isa powerful means to becomegood.”

“Go to Communion asfrequently as your confessorallows you,” adds Don Bosco.

“My confessor tells me to go toCommunion whenever myconscience is in order.”

“Good, Francis, follow thatsuggestion. Remember that Jesusinvites you to eat his body everytime you are in spiritual need. Inthe world in which we live, we arealways in need. Jesus said: “If youdo not eat my body and drink myblood, you will not have eternallife.”

One day Don Bosco wastalking to the bishop of Liege andthe conversation turned to theimportance and the efficacy offrequent Communion in thetransformation of the Christianlife of youngsters and Don Boscoexclaimed: “Therein lies the greatsecret!”


LOVING CHILDREN TOTHEIR LOVING MOTHER

My sincere gratitude to Our dearest Mother Mary for a safe andsuccessful operation. Mother protect and keep me under your lovingcare. Audrey Braganza, SecunderabadDearest Mother, thank you for a clear report after many complicationsthat caused so much tension and distress. All my tests turned outnegative. Marie Lobo, MumbaiOur sincere thanks to Our Blessed Mother and St. Dominic Savio forhelping my son Savio clear his SSC examinations with excellentresults. I am eternally grateful. Ann, MumbaiThank you dear Mother Mary for your continued intercession as wemoved safely from India to Dubai. Juliet Ezeani, DubaiMany, many thanks dear Lord Jesus and Mother Mary for helpingme to pass my examinations and for many favours received. Rohan Aranha, MumbaiThank you dear Mother Mary for strengthening my knee, I know itwill get better. Claudino Antao, BangaloreI thank you dear Mother Mary very much for hearing my prayers andmaking me a complete man capable of serving mankind. John, MumbaiThank you, Mother, for every passing moment in our lives.

Alex A. D. D'Costa, Panaji, GoaThank you loving Mother for your protection at every moment of ourlives and for reminding to be true to the Saviour's Word. Alex A.D. D'Costa, GoaDear Heavenly Father and Mother Mary, do accept my belated butsincere gratitude for the sale of our flat and for many many otherfavours and blessings received over the years. Stephen FernandesMy sincere thanks to Mary Help of Christians for curing the bloodclot in my son's cheek. Christine D'Souza, MumbaiMy grateful thanks dear Mother Mary for helping my son successfullypass his SSC examination. Mr. R. R. D'Costa, MumbaiMany thanks dearest Mother Mary for the gift of a lovely, healthybaby boy and especially for your constant help and intercession allthrough my pregnancy and delivery. Sharon & Melvyn Fernandes, Naigaum,VasaiMy sincere thanks to Jesus and Our Blessed Mother for helping mygranddaughter to secure a first class in the third year B.Com boardexaminations and for many other favours received. A. Miranda, AhmedabadI thank Our Blessed Mother and Don Bosco for giving me the abilityto study and to clear my MCI examination to become a doctor. Dr. Pamela Fernandes, KuwaitThank you dear Mother Mary for healing me from a stomach painand for protecting me from sickness. Filu Noronha, MumbaiThank you dear Mother Mary for all the favours received. Alwyn Gonsalves, Mumbai


THE DEVOTION OF THE THREE HAIL MARYS

The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS isa very simple yet most efficacious devotion.Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding theinvocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me frommortal sin." Many people recite the Three HailMarys as part of their morning and nightprayers. To practise this devotion in time ofdanger, stress, special need or temptation, is asure means to obtain Our Lady's help.

Thank you dear Mother Mary for bringing our son backto our family. After I started reciting the 3 Hail Marys for nearly a yearthings have changed in my life. My son is happily married to a lovinggirl from a good family. I continue reciting the three Hail Marys and Iask Our Blessed Mother to bless my daughter with a good husbandsoon. A Sequeira, MumbaiThank you for favours granted through the faithful recitation of the 3 HailMarys. Devotee, MumbaiI have received numerous favours through the faithful recitation of the 3Hail Marys. I am sincerely grateful to our dear Mother for all her blessings.Thank you so much dearest Mother for the many favours received.

Antonieta Simoes, Macau (South China)My sincere thanks for the safe delivery of a baby girl to me and for manyother favours received. Devu Abraham, TellicherryThank you dear Mother Mary for helping me get a permanent job and fora suitable home. We daily pray the 3 Hail Marys. Rajesh Shinde, ThaneThank you, dear Mother Mary for all the graces received through thefaithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Mrs Jose, Vashi, New BombayThank you dear Mother Mary, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for the giftof a baby boy after 6 years. We pray the 3 Hail Marys regularly. Sarita Mascarenhas, MumbaiThank you dear Mother Mary for helping me find a loving wife and for anexcellent season. I recite the 3 Hail Marys faithfully. S. de SouzaMy husband developed a serious urinary infection that no one coulddiagnose and after moving from hospital to hospital they found that hehad to be immediately operated. In the process he had a heart attack.Ipray the 3 Hail Marys fervently and regularly. There was an emergencysurgery performed and they removed an entire kidney. My husband ishome and well, thanks to Our Blessed Mother's protection. Keep us,dear mother under your loving protection. Jennifer Conns, AustraliaThank you, dear Mother Mary, for all the graces received through thefaithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys especially for settling my daughterin marriage. M. D'Silva, MumbaiThank you dear Mother Mary for helping my son get a good percentagein his Std X examination and admission into a good college. Veeda D'Souza, Bangalore


THEY ARE GRATEFUL TOOUR LADY AND DON BOSCO

My grateful aned sincere thanks to Mother Mary and Dominic Savio.My daughter has delivered a baby girl in spite of a difficult pregnancy.

Mrs. C. D'Sa, MumbaiThanks to Our Blessed Mother and Don Bosco for a peacefulDemocratic Convention. Cynthia, Tulsa, USAThanks dear Don Bosco for the many favours received. Domingos D'Souza, GoaThank you Mother Mary, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for the manyfavours received. Anthony and Avril Murzello, Melbourne AustraliaMy sincere thanks to Our Blessed Mother, Don Bosco and DominicSavio for supporting my daughter Marsha when she had to undergoa major operation. It was a success and even the baby is safe. Mrs. Sylvia Bosen, BangaloreMy special thanks to Jesus, Mother Mary, Don Bosco and DominicSvio for helping my son succeed in his SSC examinations and formany other favours. I place at your feet my husband who has hepatitisB for the last 3 years. Antonetta Dias, GoaThank you dear Lord Jesus, Mary Help of Christians, Don Boscoand Dominic Savio for helping us through our financial crisis andhealth problems. Philo, MumbaiOur sincere thanks to Our Blessed Mother, Don Bosco and DominicSavio for a very big gift received by my son and daughter-in-law inthe gift of a child. James, Corea,BangaloreThank you dear Mother Mary and St. Dominic Savio for the gift of achild after nine years of married life. E.P. Lazar, Thrissur, KeralaMy sincere thanks to Mary Help of Christians and Dominic Savio forhelping me in my difficulty and for many other favours. Mother pleasebless our home. Caroline Pinto, MumbaiMy sincere thanks and gratitude to Mary Help of Christians, DonBosco and Dominic Savio for helping our son clear all his medicalsand for his visa to join his flying school. Avril and Wilfred, MumbaiWe are grateful to Our Mother, Mary, Help of Christians, St. DonBosco and St. Dominic Savio for all the favours and blessings andfavours showered on our family throughout the new year. Mrs. Rosalind Moreira, CanadaThank you dear Mother Mary and St. Dominic Savio for a safe deliveryand the gift of a baby boy. Samson and Stacy Vaz, GoaMy sincere thanks to Mother Mary, Don Bosco and Dominic Saviofor granting my son a first class in his Std X exam and for helpinghim get admission in a Diploma College and for many other favoursreceived. Please continue to protect us always. Mrs. Nancy A. Vaz, MumbaiThank you dear Mother Mary and St. Dominic Savio for protectingmy two sons SAVIO and Cedric from a serious motor cycle accidentin Daman, Allen Coutinho, LondonThank you, dear Mother Mary, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio forcuring my eyesight and restoring my vision. A Devotee

APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYERNOVEMBER 2008

Holy Father's General Intention: That the testimony of love offered by theSaints may fortify Christians in their devotion to God and neighbour, imitatingChrist who came to serve and not to be served.

Missionary Intention: That the Christian communities of Asia, contemplatingthe Face of Christ, may know how to find the most suitable ways to announcehim, in full faithfulness to the Gospel, to the peoples of that vast Continent sorich in culture and ancient forms of spirituality.

THANKS TO DEARST. DOMINIC SAVIO

Our Sincere thanks to dear St. DominicSavio for all the favours received. Januarius Gomendes, GoaSincere and grateful thanks to Our Lady,Don Bosco and St. Dominic Savio for mydaughter's happy settlement and forblessing her with a baby boy. Mrs. Neves Fernandes, GoaMy belated, but sincere thanks to Our LadyHelp of Christians and St. Dominic Saviofor the safe deliveries of my daughters-in-law though they were complicated cases.

Mrs. Philomena Dias, MumbaiMy sincere and heartfelt thanks to dearest

Mary help of Christians, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for the safedelivery and the gift of a beautiful baby girl and also for giving my sister-in-law a good job abroad. Mrs. Marina Godinho, MumbaiSincere thanks to Mary Help of Christians and Dominic Savio for all thefavours received. Ancy Joji, Thane (W)Thank you Jesus and Mary, Don Bosco and Dominic Savio for healingmy daughter of her breast cancer through the recitation of the 3 HailMarys. Virginia, Sydney, AustraliaMy grateful thanks to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady andDominic Savio for the miraculous cure of my tongue from an incurabledisease and for many other favours received. Mrs Natalia D'Souza, MumbaiMy sincere thanks to My Heavenly Father, Jesus, Mother Mary, DonBosco and St. Dominic Savio for helping my son who has always failedto pass his Std. X CBSE board examinations. At one stage the principaldid not want to send him for the examinations. Shirley AntaoOur grateful thanks to the Holy Spirit, Mary Help of Christians and St.Dominic Savio for the many favours received especially for the 1st Classobtained in the SSC examination and for securing admission in a goodcollege. Donna Coelho, Mumbai


Regd RNI no.9360/57;Registered MH/MR/North East/089/2006-2008

License no. 146 to Post WPPat Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office,

Mumbai 400 001, on 1st & 2nd of every month:Don Bosco's Madonna (Monthly)

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Don Bosco's Madonna, has developed to its present form from a folder published in 1937,by late Fr Aurelius Maschio, on behalf of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Bombay.The magazine is sent to all who ask for it, even though there is a fixed subscription

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MARY WAS THEREI am suffering from pancreatic cancer and sincethe chemotherapy wasn’t helping I was askedto discontinue the medication. In a newspaperarticle I read about a faith healer in Manipur.En route to Manipur we met a Manipuri girlnamed “Sweetie” who, overhearing ourconversation volunteered to help out andimmediately started making calls. That’s whenI knew Mother Mary was with me. On reachingImphal she took us to her home and arrangedfor transport to Churachandpur District wherethe healer resided. By the time we reached ourdestination the centre had already closed forthe day. The volunteers refused to let us in.After praying to Our Lady my familyrequested them again. They let us in and thehealer himself, being a Roman Catholic, washappy to greet us. He prayed over me andgave me the medicine. In a land infested withmilitants speaking an unknown language andamong an unknown people I realized Marywas there. It was the 27th June, the feast of OurLady of Perpetual Succour. Reginald Vaz Goa

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