25. Dream about the Apparition of Mother Margaret 1860
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"My mother Marguerite had died on November 25, 1856, but in August 1860, I dreamed that while coming near the Consolata Shrine, I met her on the road. My mother's appearance was very beautiful. And I admiringly asked her: - But how, Your mercy here, aren't you dead? - I am dead but I am still alive - she answered - And is Your Mercy happy? - Totally happy. Very happy.
- I asked her if she had gone to paradise immediately after her death, and she answered no. [My enemies erased an important part, what I remember is that she told him that she had gone through the flames of purgatory and that she gave him the names of some students she saw there]. Then I asked her if in paradise were some of my best students who had died. I told her the names and she said yes, they were there. Then I asked her: Can you explain to me what it is that one enjoys in paradise? - Even if I told you, you would not be able to understand," she answered. [What she actually answered was that he wanted to know too much.]
- But couldn't you give me at least a little taste of what is enjoyed there, or seen, or heard? And at that moment I saw my mother totally resplendent, adorned with a most luxurious vestment, with a face of marvelous majesty and beauty, and accompanied by a numerous choir that sang solemnly. And she began to sing a hymn of love to God, a song of a sweetness that no one can explain, a song so beautiful that it filled the heart with joy and bliss, and lifted the mind to heavenly heights. It seemed to be a choir of millions and millions of voices, each one more beautiful and harmonious, from the deepest and deepest to the highest and highest voices. And a countless variety of modulations, tonalities and vibrations, some strong, others soft, combined with the most exquisite art and with such delicacy that they formed a marvelous ensemble.
When I heard those very fine melodies I was so moved that I seemed to be out of this world and I was not able to say anything or ask my mother anything else.
When the singing was over, Mama Marguerite turned to me and said: "I will wait for you in Heaven, because we two must always be close to each other. With these words she disappeared.
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Note: Mamma Margherita had a very important influence on the life of St. John Bosco. He was left fatherless at the age of two and a half, and his education was given to him by his saintly mother, a formidable woman who, although illiterate, possessed marvelous gifts for educating.
When her son became a priest, she went with him to Turin and there, together with her son, she spent the last ten years of her life as a loving mother to those hundreds of abandoned orphans that Don Bosco collected to educate them and free them from material and spiritual dangers. Don Bosco's boys affectionately called her "Mamma Margherita", and this is how Salesians all over the world call her. Don Bosco speaks very beautifully of her in the "Autobiography" that he had to write by order of the Pope. When he was presented with the portrait of Mamma Margherita at the age of sixty-seven (1855), painted by Rollini, according to a sketch by Bartolomeo Bellisio, it was offered to Don Bosco on the day of his saint's day, June 24, 1855. When he saw it, he exclaimed: "That's her. She only needs to speak". It is kept in the Don Bosco Museum (Turin).
Since Mamma Margherita died on November 25, every November 25 a Mass for the deceased Salesian fathers is celebrated in the 1,300 Salesian houses around the world.
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HEALINGS
Don Bosco had gone to Rome to obtain the approval of the Holy See for the Salesian Society. There was strong opposition, so Don Bosco had to campaign by visiting the most influential prelates of the Sacred Congregation. One of the most powerful members was the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Antonelli. When Don Bosco went to see him, the Cardinal was motionless on a sofa.
"Come in, my very dear Don Bosco, come in!" -said the Cardinal
"Your Eminence, how is your health?"
"Look at the state I am in! I am stuck like this for several days. My gout has returned. What do you want from me?"
"I have come to ask you to help the Salesian Society."
"I think it is difficult. However, I promise you that I will recommend you to the Holy Father, as soon as I can go to see him."
"I need you to go soon" - replied Don Bosco.
"But you see how I am. I cannot move. The Pope usually comes to see me here when I cannot go to his room. As soon as he comes, I will speak to him on your behalf."
"Have faith in St. Mary and go soon."
"And when? -asks Cardinal Antonelli, looking at Don Bosco.
"Tomorrow!"
"You mean I will be able to go?"
"Have faith in the Virgin, because otherwise we can do nothing."
"Very well, I'll go tomorrow... But if something worse happens to me?
"I am responsible; tomorrow you will feel better. Leave everything to the Virgin. She will know how to do it."
"I will go tomorrow, and if what you say really happens, I will do everything in my power for your Society."
By morning all pain had ceased. The Cardinal went to the Pope's audience and related to him the dialogue with Don Bosco and how he had been cured.
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The same thing happened with a strong opponent of the Society, the powerful secretary of the Sacred Congregation, Monsignor Sbegliati. When Don Bosco expressed his wishes to him, Sbegliati told him: "Your request is serious and difficult. Besides, I don't know when I will be able to go, sick as I am."
"However, I need you to go to see the Holy Father."
"How do you think I can do it with this violent and persistent cough?"
"Have confidence in the Holy Virgin, offer Her that you will take care for the Pious Society of St. Francis de Sales, and I promise you that you will be cured."
"If you assure me, I will go"
"And when?"
"In three days"
"No, tomorrow"
"Ah, Don Bosco, if I could go to see the Pope tomorrow, I can assure you that I will speak to him in such a way that everything will go perfectly..."
And the Monsignor kept his word, since his cough had disappeared the next day. A few days later, on March 1, 1869, the Pious Salesian Society was definitively approved by the Holy See.