THE APOSTLE OF YOUTH
morning, his agony began, and Don Buzetti called the Fathers, who had left only a short time before.
Soon the humble room was filled with priests, students and laity, kneeling in fervent prayer. The affecting scene is best described by the Salesian Bulletin:
"On Msgr. Cagliero's entrance, Don Rua gave him the stole, and went to Don Bosco's right side. Bending to the ear of the well-beloved Father, he said in a voice full of emotion: 'Don Bosco, we, your sons, are here. We ask your forgiveness for all the grief we may have caused you; in token of pardon and paternal love, bless us once more. I will guide your hand and pronounce the form.'
"What a scene of emotion! All heads were bowed to the ground, and Don Rua, with all the power he could muster in this agonizing moment, pronounced the blessing, raising at the same time Don Bosco's already paralyzed hand to invoke on all present and absent Salesians the protection of Our Lady, Help of Christians.
"At about 3 o'clock the following telegram arrived from Rome:
"'The Holy Father, from the depths of his heart, gives the apostolic benediction to Don Bosco.
"Monsignor had already read the Proficiscere. At half past four o'clock the Angelus bell rang
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