CHAPTER XXI
DON BOSCO'S RELATIONS WITH HIS CO-OPERATORS
Don Bosco lived in a fraternal atmosphere with his Co-operators; his relations with them partook somewhat of the intimate intercourse that love, always the propelling force in his life, gave to his communications with his priests and brethren. Perhaps we may not attribute entirely to charity the munificence with which they met his needs; their generosity and their spirit of emulation in making sacrifices on his behalf, were rewarded by manifest favors from Heaven, spiritual and temporal. He whose prayers were so potent with God and Our Lady, and who gave them so freely for healing to all classes of sufferers, could not fail to obtain extraordinary benedictions for helpers so near and dear to his heart. Hundreds are recorded, many of them being attested miracles. The paralytic, the diseased of all kinds, the deaf and dumb, the blind, all were restored to their normal state, and in gratitude many of the recipients of these divine favors brought him precious offerings in jewels or money.
One day a note fell due of twelve thousand francs, which he had vainly tried to procure. As he was returning to the Oratory, a little heavy
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