June 12, 1978

FAITH AND LOVE FOR THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Write, brother Octavio; I am Michael Rua.

I was the first successor of St. John Bosco; I knew him well upon earth; his character was jovial, and he knew how to hide the great suffering that accompanied him in his earthly life. In this his iron faith helped him greatly; he never vacillated; also his great devotion to Mary Help of Christians helped him. Faith and love for the most Blessed Virgin were the two rails that guided him in his tormented life, and that made him overcome all kinds of difficulties.

John Bosco was a great precursor of the new Church; he was a brave ensign who hoisted the banner of the new Church, from the very beginning of his priestly life, and he consummated his priestly life to regenerate the Church, and to regenerate it means to make it new.

John Bosco, in the adamantine purity of his life, in the ardor of his faith, always operative in him, and in the fire of his love, above all, for the young men abandoned to themselves, deprived of spiritual food, without which the life of grace is not possible, had a clear and exact vision of the evils that afflicted the Church at that time, and therefore he put his entire life at the disposition of the great cause, that is to say, at the disposition of the spiritual renewal of the Mystical Body.

It was this, his complete and generous dedication, that made him so pleasing to God, who poured torrents of graces upon him, and it was also this that unleashed the anger and the fierce reaction of the enemy forces of Hell, who made use of their church, Masonry, with which Italy was already filled at that time; but Don Bosco knew very well where the difficulties came from; he knew his enemies very well, whom he always opposed with prudence and courage, and tenacious resistance, and he was very aware that those forces could not prevail over light, Truth and justice.

Brother Octavio, you are curious, and want to know the reason for my preamble; the reason is not lacking, and it is this: you find yourself at the center of a great storm; you, my brother, have been living in a stormy climate for many years, and you move about in the midst of troubled waters; in your heart you were hoping that good times were soon about to begin, when suddenly you were thrown back by these very waves, and hence you discover that you are fighting with these hidden forces of evil, and you are amazed. For this reason I think that Don Bosco’s figure can be of great use to you.

Do not become discouraged: the battle will be won

Don Bosco was prudence personified; he kept watch attentively, in order not to make mistakes; he was open and reserved, for he was deeply acquainted with men, and therefore knew how to deal with them, and helped in this by a great gift, the discernment of souls, he could always work in great safety. These gifts were complemented by others, just as beautiful and precious, such as a deep piety, great wisdom, an uncommon strength of spirit, humility, meekness; in sum, he was complete.

Brother Octavio, you know that the enemy can only be defeated with humility, and with patience. Of the divine Master it was said: "Coepit facere et docere;" (he began to do and to teach); and this should be said of all those whom he has chosen, for his designs of love. Therefore, do not become discouraged; the battle is taking place, and it will be won; he has overcome the world, death and hell, and thus it will be for you, if you all remain united in a perfect communion with him, by humility, patience and all the other gifts that he never denies.

It was told to you: “With charity and justice...” and it is important for every interior movement of resentment, every shadow of resentment, to be quenched within you and in this you have failed resentment comes from God, and you cannot overcome this instinctive repulsion by yourselves alone. Pray, therefore, and sincerely offer your sufferings for their conversion. Justice and humility can very well live together.

Courage and forward. We are with all of you.

May God bless you, now and always.

Michael Rua