THE APOSTLE OF YOUTH
prisoners, though weakened by confinement, found it short; the air was sweet, the walk through the green fields delightful; a pleasure long unknown.
"Observing that Don Bosco seemed fatigued, they surrounded him and mounted him on the donkey, from which they unloaded the baskets of provisions, to hoist them to their own shoulders. By turns they led the animal, chatting at their ease with the good Father, to whom they owed this happy day. In the evening the Turin people, amazed, saw them return in equal discipline, not one missing. Don Bosco, in duty bound, went to thank Ratazzi and give a report of the day. 'Indeed,' said the minister, 'you apostles of God have more power in your moral influence than we have in the material influence which we command. You persuade and vanquish the heart: that we cannot do; it is a reserved department.'"
Can anyone conceive of a purely human leader in a procession like this?
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