CARMEL'S OWN: February 2009

A Fulfilled Vision

When I was 9 years old, I had a dream that has remained deeply engraved in my heart all my life. I dreamed that I was near my home in a very large courtyard where lots of children were playing. Some of them were laughing, but many were swearing and cursing. As I heard these blasphemies I immediately threw myself in the middle of them, punching with my fists and shouting at them to quiet them down. Suddenly, an imposing man dressed in fine clothing appeared. His face was so luminous that one could not look at him straight on. He called me by my name and said to me, "You won't stop them from fighting by more fighting. You can only make them your friends by being gentle and kind. Why not start speaking to them right away about the ugliness of sin and the goodness of virtue?" I felt so intimidated and apprehensive that I told him I was just a poor ignorant child. Then, the boys stopped fighting and shouting, and stood in a group around the man. I don't know why, but I asked him, "Who are you to order me to do such an impossible thing?" "It's precisely because this idea seems impossible to you that you should make it possible by obeying and acquiring knowledge." "How can I acquire knowledge?" "I will give you a teacher. You will be able to become very intelligent, under her direction." "Who are you anyway?" "Remember the woman to whom your mother taught you to pray, three times a day? I am her Son. So ask my mother if you want to know my name."

All at once, I saw a majestic-looking Lady standing at his side, wearing a mantle that sparkled like the sun. As she approached me I felt extremely bashful. She beckoned to me to come forward and took me by the hand with kindness. Then she said, "Look!" When I looked up, I noticed that the children had all disappeared. In their place I could see a multitude of goats, dogs, cats, bears and many other different kinds of animals. "This is your domain! This is where you must work. First of all, you must become humble, courageous, and strong: and what you see happening at this moment to those animals, you will do for my children one day." I turned my gaze back to the animals and in their place I saw a flock of peaceful lambs jumping, running and bleating around the Lady and her Son as if they were paying them homage. Then, still dreaming, I began to cry and I begged this Lady to explain to me clearly what was happening, because I didn't understand anything. She put her hand on my head and said, "You will understand everything at the desired time." She had hardly finished saying those words when a noise awoke me. Everything had disappeared. I felt stunned. I had the impression that my hands hurt because of the fist fighting I had done and my face burned from the slaps I had received from all of those naughty children.

Saint John Bosco Autobiographical Memoirs