BOSCO JOHN: (1815-1888) Don Bosco. Italian Roman Catholic Priest, Educator and Writer. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method known as the Salesian Preventive System. Founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Canonized as a saint in 1934. Rare A.L.S., Sac.[erdote] Bosco Gio[vanni], one page, 8vo, Torino, 23rd July 1866, to Signore Cesare, in Italian. Bosco states in part `Elle è sempre un buon segretaro perchè scrive sempre cose buone utili vantaggiose. Grazie adunque della limosina che Maman si dispone di fare e fa in mille franchi per la costruzione del pulpito. Spero che Maria ausiliatrice non istarà in dietro a Maman in generosità´ (“He is always a good secretary because he always writes good, useful and advantageous things. Thanks, therefore, for the alms that Maman is about to make, and makes of an amount of a thousand francs for the construction of the pulpit. I hope that Mary help of Christians will not be behind Maman in generosity”) Further John Bosco states and amusingly comments referring to planets `Prima che termini questo mese porterò il mille franchi a sua casa come mi scrive e farò in modo di portare altrettanti napoleoni ma tutti col capo scoperto. Perché se portassi insiemi così quanta napoleoni col cappello in testa, forse metterebbero in combustione fin Giove, Saturno e Marte etc. Appena saranno ritornati dà bagni spero di poterli riverire personalmente a Casale o a Vignale - L'assicuro però che quì li raccomando tutti in particolar modo nella Santa messa. La grazia del Signore l'assista, e il santo timor di Dio sia ognor la Sua ricchezza favorita ed ambita - Amen´ (“Before the end of this month, I will bring the thousand francs to her as you write to me and I will make sure to bring as many Napoleons but all with their heads uncovered. Because if I was taking with me many Napoleons with hats on their heads, maybe they would set fire to Jupiter, Saturn and Mars etc. As soon as they will return, I hope to be able to personally revere them in Casale or Vignale. I assure you, however, that I recommend them all here, especially in the Holy Mass. May the grace of the Lord assist him.... - Amen”) Small overall minor age wear and creasing, otherwise G

 

Countess Carlotta Callori di Vignale (1827-1911) one of the most important financial benefactors of Bosco´s projects. Bosco considered Countess Callori as his second-mother and often addressed to her as `Mia Buona Mamma´. In 1871 John Bosco founded a group of religious sisters to do for girls what the Salesians were doing for boys. They were called the ''Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.''