This is part two of our story about Michael Magone, who Don Bosco considered a Saint.
Part one: • How Don Bosco Formed S...
Don Bosco wrote Michael Magone in a note: “Saint Philip Neri gave young people five reminders to preserve the virtue of purity: Flee from bad company. Do not pamper the body with dainty food. Escape idleness. Offer frequent prayer. Go often to the sacraments, especially confession.”
What Don Bosco said briefly in the note, he extensively expounded to Michael at other times. He gave him these pieces of advice:
1. Put yourself under the protection of Our Lady with childlike confidence. Trust and hope in her. Never have we heard of anyone who confidently appealed to Mary without being heard. She will be your defense in the assaults that the devil will make on you.
2. When you are tempted, busy yourself with something. Idleness and modesty cannot live together. By avoiding idleness, you will also overcome temptations against purity.
3. Kiss the Miraculous Medal and the Crucifix often. Make the sign of the Holy Cross with lively faith, saying, “Jesus, Joseph, Mary, help me to save my soul.” These are the three most terrible and most formidable names to the devil.
4. If temptation continues, turn to Mary with the prayer proposed to us by the Holy Church: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, a sinner.”
5. Do not pamper the body. Guard your senses, especially the eyes. Above all, avoid bad books. If a book, however innocent-seeming, upsets you, stop reading it. On the contrary, read good books, and among these, give preference to those books that speak of the glories of Mary and the Blessed Sacrament.
6. Flee bad companions. Choose good companions, friends your superiors praise for their excellent conduct. With them, speak willingly and engage in recreation. Imitate them in speech, in the performance of duties, and especially in the practices of piety.
7. Go to confession and communion as often as your confessor allows. If your duties permit, visit Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament frequently.
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