THE VENERABLE DON BOSCO
village in her own home, and instructed them in religious doctrine; but, not long after, her generous heart prompted her to hire a work-room where she taught them all kinds of sewing, in which she was an expert.
Marvelous reports of Don Bosco and his Society of St. Francis of Sales, having come to the ears of Don Pestorino, he conceived an ardent desire to become a member, and to affiliate, if possible, his little Mornese Congregation to the great Salesian Society, then twenty-five years in existence. Later, he visited Don Bosco who welcomed him into the Society with joy; and he became one of the most active and zealous Fathers. The holy apostle received with equal happiness Mary Mazzarello and her companions, modifying the rules of the Congregation, changing its name to Mary, Help of Christians, and placing it on a par with the Salesian Institute. What the latter was for boys the Salesian Sisters became for girls. Mary was chosen Superior, and on August 5, 1872, the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows, she and her sisters with ineffable joy received the religious habit from the Bishop of Acqui, and pronounced their sacred vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Their life was a duplicate of the early struggling years of Valdocco, but there was not a murmur; and the work grew and was manifestly blessed by God, as were all the works intrusted to Don Bosco by His divine Providence.
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