Don Bosco's Dream

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John Levi

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Try to picture yourself with me on the seashore
or, better still, on an outlying cliff with no other land in sight
The vast expanse of water is covered with a formidable array of ships in battle formation
Prows fitted with sharp spear-like beaks capable of breaking through any defense
All are heavily armed with cannons, incendiary bombs, and firearms of all sorts
Even books - and are heading toward one stately ship, mightier than them all
As they try to close in, they try to ram it, set it afire, and cripple it as much as possible
This stately vessel is shielded by a flotilla escort. Winds and waves are with the enemy
In the midst of this endless sea, two solid columns or pillars, 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: Help of Christians
The other, far loftier and sturdier, supports a Communion Host of proportionate size
And bears beneath it the inscription, Salvation of believers
The flagship commander, the Roman Pontiff, the Pope, seeing the enemy's fury
And His auxiliary ships very grave predicament, summons his captains to a conference
However, as they discuss their strategy, a furious storm breaks out and they must return to their ships
When the storm abates, the Pope again summons his captains as the flagship keeps on its course
But the storm rages again
Standing at the helm, the Pope strains every muscle to steer his ship
Between the two pillars 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 its course
At times a formidable ram splinters a gaping hole into its hull
But, immediately, a breeze from the two pillars 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 down a second time, dies
A shout of victory rises from the enemy, and wild rejoicing sweeps 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 pillars
And moors it to the two pillars; first to the one surmounted by the Host
And then to 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 pillars.
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 pillars, tie up at the swinging hooks
And ride safe and tranquil beside their flagship
A great calm now covers the sea
Listen, very grave trials await the Church
What we have suffered so far is almost nothing compared to what is going to happen
The enemies of the Church are symbolized by the ships which strive their utmost to sink the flagship
Only two things can save us in such a grave hour
One, devotion to Mary, the Help of Christians who points to her son
And Two, most importantly, frequent reception of Communion
The Eucharist, The Blessed Sacrament. It's our most vital tool in this fight
Receive Him with good disposition Free of mortal sin
Let us do our very best to use these two means
And have others use them everywhere

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