46. The lettercards of the Virgin, 1863
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Dream narrated by Don Bosco to his pupils in July 1863.
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"I dreamed that the Blessed Virgin was passing through the midst of my disciples, carrying in Her hand a beautifully decorated handbag, and that She offered each one of them to take out by chance one of the many little pieces of paper that were inside the handbag. I stood next to them and as soon as each one took out his paper, I wrote down the phrase written on it. Everyone went to take out their paper, except for one who stayed away. I then looked at what was written on the paper, and there was written: "Death". If anyone wishes to know what was written on the slip of paper that corresponded to him, he can come and ask me during these days."
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Explanation: These last words filled the listeners with admiration, for Don Bosco's pupils numbered more than seven hundred. And each one went to his room to ask him what he had read on the little piece of paper that corresponded to him, and he told them with admirable precision some sentences that fitted each one of them like a ring on his finger. And the most admirable thing is that after several years, he still remembered what was written on each one's piece of paper. For example, Sebastian Musetti's piece of paper said: "Constancy" and after several years, when this student, now a priest, came to visit the Saint, he heard Don Bosco tell him: "Don't forget what the Virgin's piece of paper said: Constancy".
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Three months after this dream, the pupil Brunerotto died. But we don't know if it was for him the paper that said: "Death", or if it was for someone who had "Death" in his soul. The students looked carefully to see if anyone was left without going to consult Don Bosco about his little piece of paper, and there was one who did not go.
The young people rushed from that same night and for several days, to parade through Don Bosco's room, to receive the card that was written with their names. Some jumped for joy. Others came out very serious. Others cried. Some remained silent for days and days. Some dared to make it known to their closest friends. Others kept the message they had received very secretly hidden. But all were left with the conviction that it was indeed the Mother of God who, through Don Bosco, had come to speak to each one of them. He distributed 573 messages.
Here are some of the messages the young people received:
1. You have a friendship that does you a lot of harm. Which would you rather give up: that friendship or the friendship of God?
2. The anxieties you are feeling will disappear with a good confession. Why don't you give it a try?
3. When will you really begin to correct this defect? You promise and never begin to do what you should.
4. You cannot be the first in your studies, but you can be the first in loving God. Why don't you do the test?
5. Why do you remember God so little? If you would think more about the fact that God sees you, hears you, loves you and will reward you according to your conduct, you would totally change your way of being.
6. Alert: the devil is preparing an ambush for you. Remember: "Rather die than sin".
7. You have to dedicate yourself to better fulfill your duty, and do everything for God.
8. Paradise is not made for the lazy. Why don't you work a little more? Why don't you study a little more? It's for your salvation!
9. Your heart is too attached to the things of earth. How can he be happy who thinks only of what is here below and does not think of the rewards that await us in Heaven?
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47. A prophesied death, 1863.
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On November 1, 1863, he narrated the following dream to the student body: "Last night I dreamed that a young man had died and that I accompanied him to the grave. I don't want to alarm you, but I have had dreams like this before and they have always come true.
Explanation: Two days later he told the young people again: "We must pray for the one of us who has to die first. This may be soon. If we are well prepared and go on living, we will be happy. If we are well prepared and have to die, we will feel great consolation for finding ourselves well prepared to pass into eternity.
On November 5, young Luis Petre died.