Transfer to the Present Oratory
of St Francis de Sales at Valdocco
While all this was going on, we came to the last Sunday on which I was allowed to keep the Oratory in the field (5th April 1846). I said nothing at all, but everybody knew how troubled and worried I was. On that evening as I ran my eyes over the crowd of children playing, I thought of the rich harvest awaiting my priestly ministry. With no one to help me, my energy gone, my health undermined, with no idea where I could gather my boys in the future, I was very disturbed.
I withdrew to one side, and as I walked alone I began to cry, perhaps for the first time. As I walked I looked up to heaven and cried out,
My God, why don’t you show me where you want me to gather these children? Oh, let me know! Oh, show me what I must do!
When I had finished saying this, a man called Pancrazio Soave came up. He stammered as he asked me, Is it true that you’re looking for a site for a laboratory?
Not a laboratory, but an oratory.
I don’t know the difference between an oratory and a laboratory, but there’s a site available. Come and have a look at it. Mr Joseph Pinardi, the owner, is an honest man. Come and you’ll get a real bargain.
At that very moment my faithful colleague from the seminary, Fr Peter Merla, showed up. He was the founder of a pious work named the Family of St Peter. Filled with zeal for his sacred ministry, he had begun his institute because so many single girls and disgraced women, after suffering imprisonment, found themselves sadly abandoned. For the most part, honest society abhorred them, and they could find neither bread nor employment. When he had a little free time, that worthy priest hastened eagerly to help his friend. Usually he found me alone amongst a mob of boys.
What’s wrong? he asked as soon as he saw me. I’ve never seen you so down. Has something bad happened?
Misfortune, no. But I’m in a real predicament. Today is the last day on which I’m allowed to use this field. It’s evening already, two (hours) to nightfall. I have to tell my sons where to assemble next Sunday, and I don’t know where. This friend here says he knows of a place that might do. Can you keep an eye on the recreation for a while? I’ll go take a look, and I’ll be back before long.
When I reached the place indicated, I saw a shabby little two-storey house with a worm-eaten wooden stairway and balcony. All round were gardens, pastures, and fields. I was about to climb the stairs, but Pinardi and Pancrazio stopped me.
No, they told me.
The place we have in mind for you is round the back.
There was a long shed; one side of its roof leaned against the wall of the house, and the other ended about three feet above the ground. If it were necessary, it could be used as a woodshed, but not much else. To get into it I had to bend my head so as not to bump against the ceiling.
I can’t use it, I said. It’s too low.
I’ll fix it to suit your needs, Pinardi graciously suggested.
I’ll dig it out, I’ll make steps, I’ll put in a new floor.
I really would like you to establish your laboratory here.
Not a laboratory, but an oratory, a little church where I can bring together some youngsters.
Better still. I’ll gladly help with the work myself. Let’s draw up a contract. I can sing too, so I’ll come along and give a hand. I’ll bring two chairs, one for me and one for my wife. And I have a lamp at home, too; I’ll bring that as well.
The good man seemed to be beside himself with joy at having a church in his house.
Thank you, my good friend, I said, for your kindness and goodwill. I accept these generous offers. If you can lower the floor at least a foot, I’ll take it. But what’s your price?
Three hundred francs. I have better offers but I prefer yours because you’re going to use the place for the public good and religious purposes.
I’ll give you three hundred and twenty if you’ll throw in the strip of ground round the house as a playground for the boys, and if I can bring my youngsters here as soon as next Sunday.
I understand. It’s a deal. Come, by all means.
Everything will be ready.
I made no more demands. I ran right back to my boys. I gathered them round me and began to shout in a loud voice,
Great news, my sons! We’ve got a place for our Oratory, a more reliable one than we’ve had till now. We’ll have a church, a sacristy, classrooms, and a place to play. Sunday, next Sunday, we’ll go to our new Oratory, which is over there in Pinardi’s house.
And I pointed the place out to them.
Wild enthusiasm greeted this announcement. Some ran around shouting and jumping for joy; some stood stock still; some raised their voices, I would say, to yelling and screaming. They were moved like people who feel so intensely happy that they cannot express their feelings. Overcome with deep gratitude, we thanked the holy Virgin for hearing and answering the prayers which we had made to her that very morning at Our Lady of the Fields. Now we knelt for the last time in that field and said the holy rosary. After that, everyone went home. Thus we said good-bye to that place which each of us had loved out of necessity, but which each of us, hoping for something better, left behind without regret.
On the following Sunday, the 12th April, which was Easter Sunday, all the church furniture and the equipment for recreation were brought there, and we went to take possession of our new place.