THE APOSTLE OF YOUTH
Son, and Holy Ghost, and the Blessed Virgin, whom you will have caused to be known, loved and glorified on earth."
One of the most beautiful and affecting human documents I have ever read is "The Last Will and Testament of Don Bosco," addressed to Salesian Co-operators, which I quote in entirety in a later chapter. I would that every reader of mine in perusing these few pages would lay deeply to heart the beautiful lessons contained in this dying memorial of gratitude and love.
Leo XIII said one day to Don Bosco: "Every time you speak to the Co-operators tell them that I bless them from my heart; that their scope must be to place a barrier against the evils that beset youth, and they should form but one heart and soul to aid in gaining the ends which the Society of St. Francis of Sales proposes to itself." And who knew better the needs of our times and had a more intimate knowledge of parochial work than our late beloved Pontiff, Pius X? In one of his letters cor ad cor to Don Rua, the second Superior General, he wrote: "I most fervently hope that this association of Salesian Co-operators will spread its organization every day, so that it may exert its influence in every village and town, and that through the zeal of the Bishops the spirit of the founder of the Salesians may live and flourish, and the number of his followers continually increase."
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