St John Bosco Eucharistic quotes
THE EUCHARIST AND THE IMMACULATE VIRGIN MARY
ST. JOHN (“DON”) BOSCO’S VISION OF THE TWO COLUMNS
On May 30, 1862, Don Bosco recounted a dream he had:
“In the midst of this endless sea, two solid columns, a short distance apart, soar high into the sky. One is surmounted by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin, at whose feet a large inscription reads: ‘Auxilium Christianorum’ (‘Help of Christians’). The other, far loftier and sturdier, supports a Host of proportionate size, and bears beneath it the inscription: ‘Salus credentium’ (‘Salvation of believers’).
“The flagship commander – the Roman Pontiff – standing at the helm, strains every muscle to steer his ship between the two columns, from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains. The entire enemy fleet closes in to intercept and sink the flagship at all costs. They bombard it with everything they have: books and pamphlets, incendiary bombs, firearms, cannons. The battle rages ever more furious. Beaked prows ram the flagship again and again, but to no avail, as, unscathed and undaunted, it keeps on it course. At times, a formidable ram splinters a gaping hole in its hull, but immediately, a breeze from the two columns instantly seals the gash.
“Meanwhile, enemy cannons blow up; firearms and beaks fall to pieces; ships crack up and sink to the bottom. In blind fury, the enemy takes to hand-to-hand combat, cursing and blaspheming. Suddenly the Pope falls, seriously wounded. He is instantly helped up, but struck a second time, dies. A shout of victory rises from the enemy, and wild rejoicing seeps their ships. But no sooner is the Pope dead than another takes his place. The captains of the auxiliary ships elected him so quickly that the news of the Pope’s death coincides with that of his successor’s election. The enemy’s self-assurance wanes.
“Breaking through all resistance, the new Pope steers his ship safely between the two columns; first, to the one surmounted by the Host, and then the other, topped by the statue of the Virgin. At this point, something unexpected happens. The enemy ships panic and disperse, colliding with and scuttling each other.
“Some auxiliary ships, which had gallantly fought alongside their flagship, are the first to tie up at the two columns. Many others, which had fearfully kept far away from the fight, stand still, cautiously waiting until the wrecked enemy ships vanish under the waves. Then they too head for the two columns, tie up at the swinging hooks and ride safe and tranquil beside their flagship. A great calm now covers the sea. ” (Memoirs, Vol. VII. Pages 107-108).
Note: Some think that John Paul II is the pope who, in mystical terms, was speedily elected after Pope John Paul I’s death, only 33 days after his election. In any case, the two pillars to avoid shipwreck are the Eucharist and Mary. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church, the Bride of Christ.
“Do you want the Lord to give you many graces?
Visit Him often.
Do you want Him to give you few graces?
Visit Him rarely.
Do you want the devil to attack you?
Visit Jesus rarely in the Blessed Sacrament.
Do you want him to flee from you?
Visit Jesus often.
Do you want to conquer the devil?
Take refuge often at the feet of Jesus.
Do you want to be conquered by the devil?
Forget about visiting Jesus.
My dear ones, the Visit to the Blessed Sacrament is an extremely necessary way to conquer the devil.
Therefore, go often to visit Jesus and the devil will not come out victorious against you.”
– St. John Bosco
Miracoli Eucaristici chiaravalle-bosco – Francais/French
Miracoli Eucaristici chiaravalle-bosco – Espagnol/Spanish
St. John Bosco (1815 to 1888)
Founder of the Society of St. Francis De Sales (Salesians)
The Holy Eucharist is the centre of Catholic worship and was the centre of Saint John Bosco’s devotion. Early in childhood Our Lord and His Blessed Mother inspired him to rescue young boys from evil ways. As a young man and later as a seminarian, he was happy to assist at Holy Mass and when possible, to serve at it too. He frequently received Our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion and visited him in the Blessed Sacrament. When he was ordained a priest, St. John Bosco had many more opportunities of practicing this devotion, as he was able to celebrate Holy Mass. Don Bosco was a staunch believer in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. His spiritual life was dominated by the Real Presence. His Priesthood gave him many opportunities to spread this devotion specially among the youth, including St. Dominic Savio. The boys under his care learned about the Catholic faith “under a remarkable educational system based upon frequent confession and daily Mass.” He often preached about Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in books he wrote to help people to receive Holy Communion worthily, to make reparation for injuries inflicted upon Our Lord, and to console Him for the neglect He suffers. A soul in purgatory visited this saint.
Quotes of St. John Bosco on the importance of Eucharistic adoration in our lives
- “There are two things the devil is deadly afraid of: fervent Communions and frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament.”
- “Do you want the Lord to give you many graces? Visit Him often. Do you want Him to give you few graces? Visit Him rarely. Do you want the devil to attack you? Visit Jesus rarely in the Blessed Sacrament. Do you want him to flee from you? Visit Jesus often!”
- “Take refuge often at the feet of Jesus…My dear ones, the Visit to the Blessed Sacrament is an extremely necessary way to conquer the devil. Therefore, go often to visit Jesus and the devil will not come out victorious against you.”
- “Trust all things to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary Help of Christians and you will see what miracles are.”
- “I beg you to recommend to everyone, first, adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and then reverence for most holy Mary.”
- “Never omit the daily visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament, be it ever so brief. It is enough if it be constant.”
- “Night and day Jesus awaits us…Like a most tender mother, He opens His arms to us…He is there to draw us to Himself and lead us to paradise. Let us go visit Jesus often.”
- “Jesus could have limited His presence only to the celebration of Mass, but no! He wanted to make a permanent dwelling among us. Night and day He awaits us and offers himself to us at all times. Like a most tender mother, He opens his arms to us. He is there generously to give us His gifts. He is there to draw us to Him and lead us to paradise with Him. Oh! Let us go visit Him often.”
- “We envy the shepherds who went to visit the grotto of Bethlehem to see Him, kissed His little hand, and offered Him their gifts… and yet there is no reason to envy them, for their fortune is ours, too. The same Jesus they visited in the grotto is in our tabernacle. The only difference is that the shepherds saw Him with the eyes of the body, whereas we see Him with the eyes of faith. Nothing will please Him more than our frequent visits to Him.”
- “Go to confession and communion as often as your confessor allows, and when you can, visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”
- “Frequent Confession, frequent Communion and daily Mass are the pillars that must support an educational building that we desire to protect from threats and scourges.” (John Bosco, Il sistema preventivo nella educazione della gioventù [1877], n. 4).
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