THE VENERABLE DON BOSCO
from the Church of Our Lady, Help of Christians, which all around the death-bed recited. Then Don Bonetti made a short aspiration—Vive Marie!—which the venerable invalid had repeated several times during the preceding days. Suddenly the weak rattle ceased, the breathing was regular and quiet, but for a very short time. Msgr. Cagliero said the last prayer: 'Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart, my soul and my life! Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony! Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I die in peace with you!' Then were heard three scarcely audible sighs. Don Bosco was dead! His age was seventy-two years, five months and fifteen days. The hour was 4.45 a. m. Don Rua, in a few broken sentences of filial veneration, found strength to allude to the simplicity of this death crowning a noble life. Msgr. Cagliero entoned the Subvenite, sancti Dei, in a voice trembling with emotion, then blessed the venerated remains, praying for the repose of his soul. He took off his stole and put it on the dead body, placing the crucifix, which had so often been pressed with unspeakable fervor to the lips of the dying, in the clasped hands. The De Profundis, recited kneeling, was only a long sob."
Leo XIII, on receiving the telegram announcing the death of Don Bosco, exclaimed, raising his eyes to heaven: "Don Bosco è un Santo, un Santo, un Santo! Don Bosco is a Saint, a Saint, a Saint!"
A letter from Don Rua conveyed the sad tidings to the Salesian Co-operators, fifty-three
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