The Church of St Francis de Sales
Freed from the moral vexations of the Pinardi house and the Gardener’s Inn, we had to think about a more decorous church for our worship, better suited to our growing needs. The old one, it is true, had been considerably enlarged; it was situated where the superiors’ refectory is now (1875). But it was uncomfortable on account of its capacity and its lack of height. To enter one had to go down two steps; as a result in winter and when it rained we were flooded out. In summer the heat and the bad odours suffocated us. Few feast days passed without some pupil fainting and being carried out limp. So it was necessary to start a building more proportionate to the number of youngsters, better ventilated, and more healthy.
Chevalier Blachier drew up plans for what we now know as the Church of St Francis and the building that stands round the courtyard beside the church. The contractor was Mr Frederick Bocca.
When the foundations had been dug, the cornerstone was blessed on 20th July 1851. Chevalier Joseph Cotta placed the stone in position; Canon Moreno, royal almoner, blessed it. The renowned Fr Barrera, moved by the sight of such a large crowd, stood upon a mound of dirt and improvised a marvelously opportune speech. He began with these exact words:
Ladies and gentlemen, the cornerstone which has just been laid in the foundations of this church has a twofold significance. It is like the grain of a mustard seed destined to grow into a mystical tree in which many boys will find refuge; it symbolises also that this work is founded on a cornerstone which is Jesus Christ, against which the enemies of the faith will hurl themselves in vain.
Then he proved both points, to the great pleasure of his audience, who thought that the eloquent preacher was inspired.
Such well-publicised occasions attracted youngsters from all over. Many turned up at all hours of the day; others begged for shelter. That year their number passed fifty, and we began some workshops in the house; for we were finding it ever more ruinous for the boys to go out to work in the city.
The sacred building for which we longed was beginning to rise above ground, when I realised that my funds were completely exhausted. I had collected 35 thousand francs by selling some property, but these disappeared like ice in the sun. The treasury granted us nine thousand francs, but they were to be turned over only when the work was nearing completion.
Bishop Peter Losana of Biella realised that the new building and that whole institution especially benefited the bricklayer apprentices from Biella. He sent out a circular letter to his parish priests encouraging them to help with contributions. The circular read thus:
Biella, 13th September 1851
Reverend and Dear Father:
That devout and outstanding priest Don Bosco, inspired by a truly angelic charity, has undertaken to bring together on feast days as many boys as he meets, abandoned and scattered through the squares and streets of Turin, especially in the densely populated neighbourhoods between Borgo Dora and Martinetto. He has undertaken to provide accommodation for them in a suitable place, so that they might enjoy honest recreation as well as Christian instruction and upbringing. Such has been his holy zeal that the existing chapel has become too small for their needs; in fact, it does not accommodate more than a third of the six hundred and more boys who now flock there. Driven by love to accomplish so much good, he has set to the arduous task of building a church suited to the needs of his compassionate plan. He is appealing to the charity of the Catholic faithful for help with the much too heavy expenses that are entailed for its completion.
With particular confidence, then, he turns to this province and diocese through me, since of the six hundred and more boys who are already gathered round him and frequenting his Oratory, more than a third, over 200, are youngsters from Biella. Many of them he shelters in his own house and freely provides whatever they need for food and clothing, so that they can learn a trade.
Don Bosco can claim help from us, not only in charity but in justice. I ask you, therefore, Rev. Father, to bring this matter of such concern to the attention of your good parishioners, to have recourse to those who are better off, and to set aside one Sunday to take up a collection of alms for this purpose. The proceeds should be sent securely and without delay to the diocesan curia, marking clearly on the packet the amount enclosed and its place of origin.
While the children of darkness endeavour to open a temple in order to teach in it their errors, for the perdition of their brothers, will the fortunate children of light not open a church in which to teach the truth for their salvation, and that of their brothers, and most of all, of their fellow citizens?
I hope, therefore, to be able to reinforce and help the undertaking of this praiseworthy man of God with the offerings that you will provide. Thus the people of my diocese will give public evidence of their enlightened devotion and gratitude for a work so holy, so useful, and indeed so necessary for our times.
I take this opportunity of assuring you again of my great esteem and affection.
Your most devoted servant,
+ John Peter, Bishop
The appeal brought in one thousand francs, but that was only a drop in the ocean. And so a lottery of various small prizes was conceived. This was the first time that we appealed, in such a way, to the charity of the general public, and the project was favourably received. 3,300 prizes were collected. The Supreme Pontiff, the king, the queen mother, the queen consort, and in general the whole royal court distinguished themselves with their gifts. The tickets sold out (50 centesimi each). When the public drawing took place at city hall, one individual was trying to buy a ticket; even though he offered five francs for one, there was not a ticket to be had.
The plan and the rules of the lottery were:
1. Such items as objects of art or of handicraft, namely embroidery, knitwear, pictures, books, lengths of cloth, and so on, will be gratefully received.
2. Unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous, when each article is donated, a receipt will be issued describing the gift and giving the donor’s name.
3. The number of lottery tickets issued will be in proportion to the value of the prizes, as provided by law, namely one-quarter of the value.
4. Tickets will detach from a counterfoil book and will be signed by two members of the committee. They cost 50 centesimi.
5. All prizes will be put on public view in March, and will be left on view for at least a month. Notice of the time and place of the viewing will be published in the Gazzetta Officiale of the Kingdom. The day fixed for drawing the winning numbers will also be indicated.
6. The numbers will be drawn one at a time. Should two be pulled out by mistake, they will be put back into the drum without being read out.
7. As many numbers will be drawn as there are prizes to be won. The first ticket drawn will win the item marked number one. The same for the second, and so on until as many numbers have been drawn as there are prizes.
8. The winning numbers will be published in the Giornale Officiale of the Kingdom. Presentation of the prizes will begin three days later.
9. Prizes not claimed within three months will be considered ceded to the Oratory for its own benefit.
Many of the prizewinners gladly left their prizes to help the church. This proved to be an extra bonus. Though there was considerable outlay, still the net gain came to 26 thousand francs.