THE APOSTLE OF YOUTH
May we not say in all truth of the venerable servant of God what the poet, Francis Thompson, has said of the beloved titular patron of his Society:—
"He, the sweet Sales, of whom we scarcely ken
How God he could love more he so loved men."
Yet, the White Angel so near and the borderland of Heaven in view, his superhuman activities did not cease. At the College of Val Salice his dream of half a lifetime was fulfilled that year (1887) by the inauguration of the Seminary for Foreign Missions. He himself, on November 24th, in the absence of Cardinal Alimonda, gave the religious habit to three students of the seminary, respectively of France, England and Poland, and to Prince Czartorisky, heir of one of the greatest European families. The spectators could not control their emotion as Don Bosco in a feeble voice pronounced the solemn words of the ceremonial. But in his heart there was a deep sea of joy; and his pale face reflected the happiness of the new apostles, and the ardor of the Oratory students, who looked forward to a similar glory in the future.
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