
When
we compare the two sons of Mama Margaret, Joseph and John Bosco, we find the
first was more good natured, well behaved than the second. As for Joseph, he
was patient, meek, affectionate, gentle, kind besides he was the first to make
a move when welcoming guests and spoke in a warm and cordial manner which made
him loved on the contrary John Bosco was rather serious, reserved and cautious.
He would not speak with stranger, and would speak sparingly. He would not allow
himself to be taken for a ride by anyone. Apart form these qualities he was
also hot tempered, impulsive, violent. This is evident form the dream at the
age of nine where he hurls punches at the unruly boys.
Further,
Don Bosco, found very difficult to obey and to submit to his superiors. We find
in the Biographical Memoirs Vol. 9. Don
Bosco struggled to be submissive to Archbishop Gastaldi when it came to his on
the issue of his seminarian and priests and more so about the administrative
purpose. By nature he was inclined to prove his point and would defend tooth
and nail and to impress upon other his points of view especially those who offered
him good counsels.
His
superior intelligence and prodigious memory, tremendous physical strength made
him proud. He himself states, “My peers, even the older and bigger ones were
afraid of me because of my courage and great physical strength.”
Testimonies of People who knew him
1.
Don Cagliero states that Don Bosco, “hot tempered, and proud, brooking no
opposition”
2.
Giacomelli testifies that “It was clear that without virtue, his anger would
have had the better of him. None of our Companions, and there were many, had
this defect so strongly as he”
3.
His parish priest endorse to the fact that he was hot tempered when he said
that he was “strange, and hard hearted.”
4.
His Doctor who treated him from 1872 onwards till his death describes him as
impetuous and hot tempered, deeply attached to his own ideas.
All
these testimonies of his contemporaries tell us that he hot tempered,
impetuous, hard hearted and so forth. These all tell us that he was very human
who went through the process of any normal human being could go through. All
these weakness did not deter him from striving toward the path of sanctity. He
really worked hard to come out of his weakness and we see a great saint today
in him.
The path he walked
1.
Family the cradle of life and love also becomes a cradle of sanctity as we see
in the life of Saint John Bosco. His mother Mama Margaret taught him
everything. He was the person who prepared John for his first holy communion as
true Christian mother. She also brought all other sons of hers in good catholic
ambient. A word in the ear, remember that God sees you, left an indelible
impression on John throughout his life. It is here he learnt to be good
catholic and good citizen.
2.
It is Don Calosso introduced him to methodical mediation, spiritual reading,
and frequent celebration of the sacraments. He was deeply influenced by this
and from then on ‘he began to taste the spiritual life.’
At
Seminary of Chieri, Comollo was perfect complement to Don Bosco and vise versa, “Each needed the other, I
was in need of spiritual help, he was in need of physical help, and strength.
3.
He in his Seminary days, he took upon himself ascetical practice – fasting,
penance, abstinence and violence against himself which led him to extreme
weakness earlier it had cost Comollos life.
4.
During his Ordination he took the motto – “the sweetness and kindness of St.
Francis de Sales will be my guide in everything” because he was aware of his
weakness.
5.
During his stay at Convitto Ecclesiasticus, where he learnt how to be a priest,
he completely submitted himself to his spiritual director (St. Joseph Cafasso)
and obeyed him without saying a word.
6.
He used to receive a lot of letters from all over and it was his policy not to
reply them when he was excited; how would rather pray, allow hours and days to
pass till he was absolutely calm.
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