A Mother's Wish: Preferring Death Over a Priestly Vocation
One day, a noble Countess visited St. John Bosco, bringing along her four sons. She had heard of Don Bosco's wisdom and holiness and, with great curiosity, asked him to reveal the future of her children. At first, Don Bosco hesitated. "That is an unusual request," he said. "Only God knows the future of these boys." But the Countess persisted, pleading, "At least, you can ask God to give you an inkling."
Moved by her insistence, Don Bosco turned to the boys and, one by one, pointed at them. "This one will become a great general," he said of the first. Turning to the second, he added, "And you, my son, will be a statesman." Looking at the third boy, he declared, "Henry, you will be a great doctor, healing many." Hearing these words, the Countess beamed with delight, proud that her sons would achieve such high worldly honors. But then, her joy turned to apprehension as Don Bosco rested his hand on the head of the fourth boy. "I wonder if this destiny will please you," Don Bosco said thoughtfully.
"This one… will be an excellent priest." The Countess, though a practicing Catholic, was suddenly overcome by her own worldly ambitions. Clutching her youngest son tightly, she cried out, "My son? A priest? I would rather God take his life!" Don Bosco's eyes darkened as he replied, "You despise the greatest gift that God could ever bestow upon your family. May God take and accept your words as they are spoken." His words struck her deeply, and that night, the Countess lay awake, disturbed and worried by the gravity of her statement. In the days that followed, the full impact of her blunder weighed on her heart.
Realizing her error and filled with remorse, she returned the following day to beg for forgiveness. Tears streaming down her face, she said, "Father, I have come to ask for your forgiveness. You know that if one of my sons will be a priest, our family will suffer, but if God wills one of my sons to become a priest, I must accept His plan." Don Bosco replied, "Your words are true when you despise this noble vocation, and God accepts it." The mother went home more distressed. Yet, as the weeks passed, troubling news began to spread. About a month later, a relative came to visit Don Bosco to see the fourth boy, who was now noticeably ailing. But Don Bosco excused himself, leaving the relative with more questions than answers. After several days, the family, especially the distressed mother, returned, pleading with Don Bosco to visit and pray for the boy.
The child's health was rapidly deteriorating; even the doctors were unable to diagnose his mysterious ailment. Seeing the desperate state of the family, St. Don Bosco finally yielded and agreed to come. The child held Don Bosco's hand firmly, then gathered all his strength and said to his mother, "Mother, remember when we visited Don Bosco, it was your wish, Mama. Now the Lord is taking me away." The mother replied, "I only did that because I love you." Don Bosco blessed the boy and left the home, knowing that God's decree is irrevocable and had granted what the Countess had wished for.