Dear St. Francis Families,
St. Francis Sharks, You are Called… As you will read below, Don Bosco called all of his students to step up and serve during the epidemic. As Salesians and as Sharks, we too are called to live in a state of grace, to pray the rosary, and we are encouraged to wear the Miraculous Medal.
If you remember back to the beginning of last school year during our Triduum kick-off we had three speakers; Ms. Hill and Mrs. Albright spoke on Faith and Lawson O. spoke on Family. After Mrs. Albright’s talk, she gave all of us a medal; the Miraculous Medal. We have all been blessed with the medal Bosco encouraged his students to wear for protection. I hope you choose to wear them.
There are many people in our community who need the heart of Salesian youth. You are called to serve others. Send handmade cards to senior homes. When speaking, speak words of hope, love, and kindness. Make sidewalk art or posters that promote joy. Encourage your family to pray the rosary together or watch mass on Sunday. Call a classmate to say just say “hi”.
We are in challenging times but we are strong with our Salesian Spirit!
How St. John Bosco handled an epidemic
The COVID-19 coronavirus is a new threat to our society, but mankind has faced even more serious ones in the past. One example was the Black Death in the 14th century when between 30-60% of Europe’s population fell victim to the Bubonic plague. Later, in the 19th century, a cholera epidemic ravaged Europe at the same time that St. John Bosco – popularly known as “Don Bosco” – was building up his Salesian Order, which would do so much for Catholic education around the world.
The cholera epidemic struck Italy hard in 1854, with a death rate of up to 60 percent. Turin, where Don Bosco’s Oratory was located, was badly affected. The saint had told his pupils in advance about the disease, but comforted them by saying that they would be safe if they followed his advice; this was to avoid sin, have recourse to prayer, and in particular, to wear a blessed Marian medal.
When the cholera epidemic that Don Bosco had prophesied struck Turin in the summer and autumn of 1854, the city authorities set up “lazarettos” – temporary hospitals – to deal with the victims of the disease. But they found it almost impossible to staff them.
On the evening of Saturday, Aug. 5, the feast of Our Lady of the Snows, Don Bosco spoke to his pupils of Our Lady’s powerful intercession in combating the disease and her advocacy as the Mother of Mercy, who alone could help them. He advised them that the best means of protection against it was a good confession and Holy Communion. He promised that if they did that and remained in a state of grace, then not one of them would be stricken by the disease.
Later, when Don Bosco and his priests became involved in caring for the victims of the disease locally, he went even further. He spoke of the misery of the many cholera victims, and how there had been deaths because there was no one to care for them. He then asked for volunteers from among his pupils to help him in this work. As a result, over 40 of his boys volunteered to assist him.
They were given basic training in nursing and put to work in very demanding conditions. They were divided up into groups and given various tasks, including helping in the lazarettos, helping victims in their homes, and searching out those who had been abandoned by their relatives.
Don Bosco was their model in all this, with his great devotion to the sick and dying. But even so, to their everlasting credit, the youngsters had to overcome a great repugnance in dealing with the victims of the outbreak, who would often be contorted with pain and dreadful convulsions and foaming at the mouth. This work went on for over two months and left the boys completely drained. Finally, the worst of the cholera outbreak was over, and just as Don Bosco had promised, not one of the boys had caught the disease.
This lesson for us is surely the best antidote to the coronavirus or similar threats to health and life and a reminder to remain in a state of grace, pray with fervor, and in particular, to have a real devotion to the Blessed Virgin. This devotion can be expressed practically in the wearing of the Brown Scapular or a blessed medal dedicated to her, such as the Miraculous Medal, and by praying the Rosary, the prayer she emphasized so much at Fatima.
Donal Anthony Foley is the author of a number of books on Marian Apparitions and maintains a related web site at www.theotokos.org.uk. He has also written two time-travel/adventure books for young people, and the third in the series is due to be published later this year – details can be seen at: http://glaston-chronicles.co.uk. The article can be found at bluearmy.com
Associated Student Body Applications for 2020-2021
Applications for all student leadership positions will be available on the first day of school, Friday, August 14, with the announcement of the leaders by September 4, 2020.
We invite all students interested in applying for an Associated Student Body position on Campus Ministry Council, Christian Service Council, Student Council, or Varsity Council to make sure to pick up an application on Friday, August 14.
Community Service Hours
Remember to turn in all your community service hours to [email protected]. Students are required to complete 10 hours for the 2019-20 school year and 20 hours for any past years. Use this summer to get caught up. Remember: service hours are a graduation requirement!
Go Sharks,
Ms. Shannon McLeod
Coordinator of Youth Ministry