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THE VENERABLE DON BOSCO

"The third principle that guided all Don Bosco's steps was blind obedience to the See of Rome, to the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ. He often said that we must accept all his utterances as commands coming from the lips of Jesus Himself. Don Bosco knew the value of discipline, of authority, hence his submission in all things to the Holy Father. And he was never done inculcating to his children love and gratitude to the Vicar of Christ. These are the three salient notes in Don Bosco's interior and exterior life.

"He was besides very jovial, witty, magnetic. He had an iron will, once he made up his mind to do something which was for the greater glory of God. I am simply giving a few hints, and I trust and pray that your lecture will be a success. Pray for me and believe me,
"Yours sincerely in Xt.,
Frederick Barni, S. S. F. S."

Mary, Help of Christians, is then the polar star of the children, of the great triple army of conquest, the Salesian Fathers, the Salesian Sisters and the Salesian Co-operators throughout the world. It was she who ushered Don Bosco into the world during the Octave of her glorious Assumption; to her he prayed as a child in the fields at Becchi; and there she deigned to appear to her little elite and open to him the veil of the future. From that moment his faith in her protection and intercession was ever strong,

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