Live Life to the Fullest: A True Joy to the World

Christmas is often thought of as a magical time of the year where the joy and anticipation at the coming of Christ is combined in great awe with the wonders of the lights and holly. Hope fills the hearts of us all as trees are adorned, love comes rushing in as plans to be with family are made, and belief in miracles surges as we are reminded of the true reason for the season. It is indeed a beautiful and magical time of the year that aims to remind of how we are called to live life to the fullest. In our own Salesian history, there are many instances that we can take great example from of the power of this wonderful season.

Fr. Eugenio Ceria, SDB captures a profound event that took place shortly before Christmas in the sixteenth volume of the Biographical Memoirs.  A woman came to the oratory with her nine year old daughter that had been paralyzed from infancy and could only speak with great difficulty.  Further, the doctors had given up hope that the little girl would ever get better.  Don Bosco had the girl placed on a sofa next to her mother, blessed the child, and then asked the girl what her name was.   She readily responded that her name was Mary, a response that surprised the mother.  Next, Don Bosco asked the girl to make the sign of the cross.  The mother went on to explain that her daughter had lost the use of her left arm, but when Don Bosco asked the girl to move it, she had mobility in the arm.  Don Bosco continued on to ask the girl if she was ready to walk.  The mother, again wary of her daughter’s abilities, explained to Don Bosco that the little girl’s legs were much too frail to move around on her own.  Don Bosco retorted “Her legs are alive,” and instructed the girl to walk. The girl got right on her feet and began walking, and with that Don Bosco said his goodbyes to the pair and sent them home. His faith and strong belief in God’s goodness was just the Christmas gift that this family needed, and it was certainly one that would impact their every days from that point on.

The sentiments of this story have a striking resemblance to the encounter between Bosco and Bart Garelli that gave birth to the Salesian apostolate.  The first thing that Don Bosco asked was the young man’s name.  When additional questions were asked, it became evident that Bart did not have the necessary skills to seek employment and Don Bosco offered to train him.  Then Bart learned how to make the sign of the cross and was asked to continue the lessons needed to make his first communion.  The turning point in the conversation occurred when Don Bosco asked Bart was he was good at.  Bart finally found his voice and said, “My friends say I’m a pretty good whistler.”  Once again, Don Bosco lovingly challenged Bart much like the young girl and her mother to have faith and see the great miracles that surround faith that is even as small as mustard seed.

The encounters with Mary and Bart express a Christmas message of God’s desire for us to live fully so that we can participate well in the kingdom at hand.  The young girl that came to the oratory was gifted with the physical mobility and speech that would enable her to live well with her family and friends.  Bart Garelli was gifted with a lived faith through religious instruction, he was trained in vocational skills, and he was given the confidence to see the possibilities of his life.  As we move into this Christmas season, let us remember all of the ways that we have been gifted in life. Whether they’ve been great big miracles or every day reminders of God’s love for us, let us never forget that the true meaning of Christmas is God’s desire to draw nearer to us, and that is indeed the best present of all! Merry Christmas and Happy, Blessed New Year!