THE VENERABLE DON BOSCO
Don Bosco was conducted to her, and greeting her with his usual pleasantry, he said, teasingly: "Ah, Madame la Comtesse, you were to sacrifice two fat calves for my jubilee, and you are breaking your word! But I cannot find fault with you for I shall not be there either."
During the year 1887 some of his dearest friends, among them the Abbé Margotti, a staunch defender and benefactor of Don Bosco and his Society for forty years, had passed through the gates of eternal life, leaving many a void in his great and loving heart. But death was to him only an angel who comes to draw aside the veil that hides the unseen. As the New Year—1888—was beginning its progress he said to his brethren: "Make haste and ask a grant for my grave." It was a command which they obeyed with sorrow and apprehension.
On December 6th the Salesian missionaries started for their far-away destination in Ecuador, South America, and Don Bosco, aided by his secretary, Don Viglietti, descended to preside at the farewell ceremonies. Don Bonetti preached. But when the dear wayfarers passed before their venerable founder to kiss his hand, his strength failed utterly and he had to be borne to his room.
The next day his beloved Msgr. Cagliero arrived from Patagonia; the emotion on both sides may be conceived; after so lengthened and trying a separation they met for a moment only to face another parting until the eternal years. This
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