Fresh Difficulties
A Consolation
Fr Rosmini
But I remained alone. On feast days I was obliged to begin hearing Confessions early in the morning, to celebrate Mass at nine and preach afterwards; then there were singing classes and literature lessons until midday. At one in the afternoon there was recreation, and then catechism, vespers, an instruction, benediction, more recreation, singing, and school until night.
On weekdays, I was obliged to work during the day for my artisans, and to give ginnasio courses to a group of about ten youngsters. In the evening, lessons in French, arithmetic, plainchant, vocal music, piano, and organ all had to be attended to. I do not know how I was able to keep going. God helped me!
A great support and a great consolation to me in those days, however, was Doctor Borrelli. That marvellous priest, though burdened with his other important duties of the sacred ministry, tried to help me every moment he could. He frequently stole from his hours of sleep to come and hear the boys’ Confessions. He denied rest to his weary body to come and preach to them. This critical situation lasted until I was able to get some relief from the seminarians Savio, Bellia, Vacchetta. But soon I was left without their help. For, following advice given them, they left without a word to me and entered the Oblates of Mary.
On one of those feast days, I had a visit from two priests whom I think it appropriate to name. At the beginning of the catechism period, I was totally occupied with arranging my classes when two clergymen arrived. They were coming with a humble, respectful bearing to commend me and seek information about the origin and system of the Oratory. As my only answer,I said,
Would you be good enough to help me? I asked another, Would you come to the apse and take the big boys? To the taller one I said, I entrust to you this class, which is the wildest.
Convinced that they were excellent catechists, I asked one of them to give a short sermon to our boys, and the other to give benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Both accepted graciously.
The shorter priest was Fr Antonio Rosmini, founder of the Institute of Charity. The other was Canon Archpriest De Gaudenzi, now Bishop of Vigevano. From that time, both of them were always kindly disposed towards our house; in fact they were benefactors.