November Remberance--Living Well & Preparing Well

     Given the upcoming November remembrance for the deceased, my thoughts turn to John Bosco’s loss of his close seminarian companion Louis Comollo.  Louis had a knack for living out the virtuous life which rubbed off on John as they spent time together hiking, studying, or critiquing one another’s homilies.  A mutuality of friendship formed between them as John helped Louis in his studies while Louis helped John with the practice of virtue, a desire for the interior life.

      During a vacation they went for a hike and took in a panoramic view of the meadows and vineyards.  Looking over the valley it was evident that the harvest would be lean making it a tough year for farmers.  Comollo looked at the leanness as a metaphor for their sinfulness while Bosco expressed hope for a more plentiful harvest of grapes.  Louis then said, “You will drink from it,” but I am looking to a better vintage".  At this, Bosco asked Louis if he was talking about paradise.  Comollo said that while he had no guarantee that he would go to heaven, he had a burning desire to taste it.  When he said this he was filled with joy and being fully healthy, he returned to the seminary.

      Unfortunately Comollo's heath diminished, he becomes ill and died.  Given the human depth of this friendship, John is severely shaken by the loss and nearly dies himself.   This near encounter serves as a lesson that John must prepare well for death by living his life with meaning and purpose as if any moment might be his last.  Further, John made a pact with Comollo that whoever died first would inform the other about heaven.  One night loud noises wake the seminarians from their sleep and John hears the familiar voice of his friend saying, “Bosco, I am saved!”  As a result, John would go through a period of depression. 

     John learned from these events to deepen his respect for the mystery of death while teaching others to live well as a means to prepare for the moment of their own death.