In 1875 the Church lived a jubilee and Don Bosco, the Holy Patron of Youth and founder of the Salesians, wrote a book in which he offers some advice to live intensely times such as the Jubilee de la Esperanza 2025, convened by the Pope Francisco.
The book is titled The Jubilee of 1875, its institution and devout practices for the visit of the churches And in him San Juan Bosco shares various reflections so that the faithful approach God, especially through the indulgences, which can now be obtained with confession, communion, prayer for the Pope’s intentions and crossing a holy door.
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1. Approach the confession and confess well
Don Bosco remembers, first of all, that everyone must confess to ask for forgiveness of God for his sins and regrets: “How many Christians misuse this sacrament! Those who approach without the examination of conscience, others confess with indifference, without pain or without amendment; Others then keep silent about important things in confession or do not meet the obligations imposed by the confessor. These people take the most holy and useful to use it in their own ruin. ”
The Italian saint stands out after it is important to consider that “the priest, who awaits us in the penitential court, awaits us in the name of God and in the name of God forgives the sins of men.”
“Nor should the fear that the confessor be about to reveal to others heard in the confession,” says the saint, and states that “an absolute, natural, ecclesiastical and divine precept forces the confessor to keep keeping silence about what is heard in confession ”and cannot reveal anyone under penalty of excommunication.
2. Approach communion and commune frequently
“Having instituted this sacrament for the good of our souls, Jesus wants us to approach Him frequently,” explains Don Bosco.
“Some will say: ‘I am too sinful.’ If you are a sinner, try to achieve grace with the sacrament of confession and then receive sacred communion and you will have great help. Another will say: I rarely communicate to have greater fervor. And this is a hoax. The things that are rarely do, mostly become bad, ”he continues.
The saint also recalls that “those who are healthy do not need a doctor: therefore, those who are most exposed to discomfort need to be visited by a doctor frequently.”
“If you want to perform an action that is the most glorious for God, the most pleasant for all the saints in heaven, the most effective to overcome temptations, the safest to persevere in good, is certainly the sacred communion,” he recommends .
3. Give alms and if you can’t do works of mercy
“A very effective means, but very neglected by men, to reach paradise is alms,” which is not only material help, but “any work of mercy exercised towards neighbor for the love of God.”
Then citing chapter 3 of the Gospel of St. Luke, the saint emphasizes: “Everything that exceeds your needs, give it to the poor. He who has two dresses, to give one to the needy and the one who already has more than necessary, who shares it with the hungry. ”
“God assures us that everything we later do to the poor, He considers him himself,” says the saint, who also encourages superfluous expenses such as luxuries to have more to give those in need.
“Some say then: I have no wealth. If you don’t have wealth, give what you can, ”he continues. “There is no lack of means and roads; To give alms. Are there no patients to visit, to attend, to those who monitor? There are no abandoned young people who wave for them, eduques them, house them at home (…)? No sinners to whom to admonish, unbelievers to those who advise, afflicted to those who comfort, quiet quarrels, wounds to forgive? Look how many media you can use to give alms and deserve eternal life! ”
Finally, Don Bosco points out that when giving the poor, he is received, as writing says, “one hundred and one in this present life and reward in eternal life.”
4. Take care of spiritual health and do not postpone your conversion
Turin also highlights that “only one thing, oh man, is necessary: save your soul.” “If you acquire honors, glory, wealth, science and then you don’t save your soul, everything is lost,” he warns.
“San Felipe Neri was right by calling all those who in this life try to obtain honors and lucrative jobs, wealth and care little about saving their soul.
Keep in mind that whoever does not think about saving is running the serious risk of being tomorrow with those convicted in hell and getting lost for all eternity, ”says Don Bosco.
“I don’t think any of them had this intention. The deception consisted of postponing his conversion; They died in sin and are now convicted, ”he concludes.
A Prayer of Don Bosco
Don Bosco also wrote a prayer to get closer to God during the jubilee:
Oh mine redeemer, you have spent your blood to buy my soul, and I have lost it many times for sin!
I thank you for giving me time to put myself in your grace. Oh my God!, I’m sorry to have offended you, if I had died before and would never have disliked a God as good as you.
Yes, my God, I offer you everything of me, I hide my iniquities in your most sacred sores, and I know with certainty, oh my God, who do not know how to despise a heart that humiliates himself and repents.
Oh Maria, refuge for sinners, helps the sinner who is recommended and trusts you.