Summer 1854. Outbreak of cholera at Turin. Don Bosco's boys standout in the care of the sick. He has guaranteed them that no one would be struck by the disease on conditions of being in the state of grace and wearing a medal of Our Lady.
During the cholera epidemic Don Bosco explained that the cause of the divine scourge was sin and recommended that young people stay in a state of Grace and flee from Deadly Sin.
Since May 1854, Don Bosco had announced to his boys that the cholera plague would reach Turin and that it would cause tremendous damage among the population. Then he said to them:
Since May 1854, Don Bosco had announced to his boys that the cholera plague would reach Turin and that it would cause tremendous damage among the population. Then he said to them:
"Do not be alarmed and remain at peace; if you do what I tell you to do, you will be free from such scourge. First of all is to live in the Grace of God; in addition, wear around your neck a medal of María Santísima (Miracle Medal), which I will bless and give to each one of you. In addition you should pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Gloria with the Oremus of St. Louis (Gonzaga) plus the invocation: Ab omni malo líbera nos, Domine."
He repeated then: "Remain in the Grace of God, pray to the Virgin and I assure you that no student from this Oratory will be touched by the plague."
He repeated then: "Remain in the Grace of God, pray to the Virgin and I assure you that no student from this Oratory will be touched by the plague."
Don Bosco and his priests became involved in caring for the victims of the disease.
Among the heroic young volunteers to assist the sick were Miguel Rua, Juan Cagliero and Luis Anfossi, all adolescents between 14 and 17 years old. Years later, the three will form part of the group that –with Don Bosco– will found the Salesian Congregation. It is also said that among the 14 front-line volunteers was 14-year-old Domingo Sabio. And 30 young children, who naturally will not come into contact with the sick, entrusting them with auxiliary tasks.
Don Bosco and his Oratory boys during the awful cholera plague of 1854, demonstrated truly extraordinary heroism and sacrifice in administering to its abandoned victims. It had a higher mortality rate of up to sixty percent.
“In all the miracles of healing
performed by Our Divine Savior, we must
admire the remarkable goodness which caused Him
to heal first the sickness of the soul, then that of the body.
He teaches us the great lesson
that we must first purify our consciences
before turning to God for help in our earthly needs”.
performed by Our Divine Savior, we must
admire the remarkable goodness which caused Him
to heal first the sickness of the soul, then that of the body.
He teaches us the great lesson
that we must first purify our consciences
before turning to God for help in our earthly needs”.
St. John Bosco
Maria Auxilium Christianorum ora pro nobis.
Sancte Joannes Bosco, Ora Pro Nobis.
Sancte Aloysi Gonzaga, Ora pro nobis.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.