THE APOSTLE OF YOUTH
meeting suggested to Don Bosco a similar consolation for those Fathers who had been longest in the Society, who had borne with him the burden and heat of the day from the beginning; and Don Cerutti, Don Branda, Don Albera, and others were recalled to the bedside of their dying founder, to the dear Valdocco of their childhood.
On December 17th thirty penitents awaited their holy guide in his ante-room seeking mainly his decision in regard to vocations. All his life Don Bosco had been the apostle of the confessional, and it was currently said of him that no one in that age, except the sainted Curè of Ars, had heard so many confessions. It is a well-known fact that often the whole night wore away in this divine ministration to souls; and those penitents who had left consoled at the midnight hour, on returning early to the church for Mass and Communion, found Don Bosco still in the confessional, the last penitents of the long line still patiently waiting their turn. His infirmities of late had, indeed, forced him to limit the performance of this sacred duty to Wednesday and Saturday evenings; but he would not suffer anyone to be sent away. And now when his attendants, compassionating his weakness, begged leave to dismiss the eager group, he said gently, "No, let them come in; it is the last time." He heard their confessions, advised and consoled them in his leisurely, paternal manner, and they were, indeed, his last penitents.
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