THE APOSTLE OF YOUTH
they should accept readily, respectfully and with simplicity of mind and heart not only the decisions of the Pope concerning dogma and discipline, but that in controverted and open questions they should accept his opinion as a private Doctor of the Church, rather than that of any theologian in the world.
"I hold, too, that this should not only be a rule for the Salesians and their Co-operators, but for all the faithful and especially for the clergy; for besides the duty of a son toward a Father, besides the duty which all Christians have of veneration for the Vicar of Christ, the Holy Father has a special claim upon our fidelity and deference, as being chosen from among the most enlightened and prudent, and the most conspicuous for virtue, and because in directing the Church he is guided by the light of the Holy Ghost."
Don Bosco's whole life and work, as the reader must be convinced from the foregoing pages, bore the impress of his loyalty and constant devotion to the Successor of St. Peter. A beautiful and touching emphasis was placed upon this loyalty as he neared death, for which the Salesian Bulletin is my authority:
"In the evening of December 23rd, 1887, just before he received the Holy Viaticum, he was visited by His Eminence Cardinal Alimonda; and on receiving the Cardinal's salutation Don Bosco raised his biretta and said: 'Your Eminence, I beg you to pray for me that I may save my soul;' and
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