October 11 1827: The entertainment of a priest 1860: Diplomat’s death predicted 1887: Cured of mental illness 1936: Brother Angel Ramos, Martyr (Spanish) 1955: Diocesan process concluded
1827: The entertainment of a priest
Twelve-year-old Johny Bosco met cleric Cafasso for the first time at Marialda
It was the second Sunday of October, 1827, the feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin, the main annual festival of Morial do. Many were engaged in various chores connected with the festival, others were watching or enjoying the games or other past-times. I noticed one person only not taking pan in the various amusements. He was a young seminarian…I went up to him and asked: “Would you like to watch some of the games going on? I’d be happy to show you around…” …”My young friend,” the young cleric answered, “a priest finds his entertain-ment in church services.The better they are performed, the more he enjoys them. Our amusements and our devotions that never grow stale, should always be diligently attended. I am just waiting for the church to open so that I may go in.” (BM 1,139-140)
1860: Diplomat’s death predicted
On October 11 (1860) Premier Count Camillo Cavour had declared in Pad lament: “Our goal is to make the Eternal City -glorified by twenty centuries of history – the splendid capital of the kingdom of Italy.” Sorrowfully Don Bosco realized that the revolution would not be sated until it had stripped the Pope of his last piece of territory. One evening, shortly after Cavour’s declaration, with no allusion to the man, Don Bosco declared that in the coming year, 1861, a great, famous diplomat would die an inexplicable and totally unexpected death, and that all Europe would speak of it as a most grave event. (BM vl, 457)
In fact Cavour died on 6th June 1861.
1887: Cured of mental illness
A mental patient was brought to Don Bosco. The sick person used to
have lucid intervals during which he was fully conscious. The saint advised those concerned to bring back the patient for his Mass and that he would pray for him. He was able to attend Mass and even receive holy communion. In fact after Mass he said that he felt fully cured. Don Bosco too assured the lady who accompained the patient that he was cured . (cfr. MB XVIII, 458)
1936: Brother Angel Ramos, Martyr (Spanish)
– aged 60, salesian for 39 years
– martyred at Sarria, cause introduced on December 15, 1953. (cfr. CDB, 389)
1955: Diocesan process concluded
The conclusion of the diocesan process for the beatification and canoni-zation of 33 salesian martyrs of the Marxist Revolution (1936-39), was held in the Chapel of the archbishop of Valenza.The ceremony was presided over by salesian archbishop Olaechea and attended by the relatives of the martyrs. (cfr. “Boll. Sal.” 1955, p.450)