Letters from Don Bosco

These are letters Don Bosco wrote to his boys in the oratory. I think they are helpful for us, and very encouraging.


Dear friend,
I love you with all my heart. It is enough for me to know that you are young for me to love you so much. You bear the treasures of the Lord’s friendship in your heart. Keeping it, you are exceedingly wealthy. Losing it, you are among the poor and unhappy of the world. May the Lord be always with you, and help you to live as his friend. If you behave like that, I assure you that God will always be happy with you, and you will save your soul, the most important thing in life. May God grant you a long and happy life. May the Lord’s friendship always be your wealth in this life and in eternity.
Your friend,
John Bosco, priest


Dear sons,
All of us have been created for heaven. We ought to direct whatever we do towards that great end. Both the prize God has promised and the punishment he has threatened should urge us towards it, but we should love and serve him much more out of the great love he has for us. It is true that he loves all humans as his handiwork, but he has a special affection towards the young ones. You are your Creator’s delight and love. He loves you because you have still much time to do a lot of good; he loves you because your age is one of simplicity, humility, and innocence. You have not, as a rule, become the unhappy prey of the infernal enemy.
The Savior showed special signs of affection to children. He says that all the good done to them he considers it done to himself.
He utters terrible threats to those who scandalize you in word or in deed: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned into the depths of the sea.” He loved to have children surrounding him; he called them to himself, kissed them, and gave them his blessing.
If he loves you so much, you ought to resolve firmly to correspond, striving to do all that pleases him, and avoiding all that could displease him.
Live happy, and may your wealth consist in the holy fear of God for life.
Most affectionately in Jesus Christ,
John Bosco, Priest