Don Bosco's Dream and Pope Benedict [Catholic Caucus]

Da Mihi Animas ^ | July 18, 2008

[NYer]

You may be familiar with the dream of St. John Bosco and the two pillars but many of you may not. I was looking at the Abbey-Roads 2 blog and it reminded me of the story. On May 30, 1862, Don Bosco recounted that in a dream he had seen an immense sea on which a great many ships were arranged for battle against a larger and taller ship. He also saw others that were defending the tall ship. These are Don Bosco's words as taken from volume VII of the Biographical Memioirs:

"In the midst of this endless sea, two solid columns, a short distance apart, soar high into the sky. One is surmounted by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin, at whose feet a large inscriptions reads:" 'Auxilium Christianorum' ('Help of Christians') . The other, far loftier and sturdier, supports a Host of proportionate size, and bears beneath it the inscription: 'Salus credentium' ('Salvation of believers').

"The flagship commander - the Roman Pontiff- standing at the helm, strains every muscle to steer his ship between the two columns, from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains. The entire enemy fleet closes in to intercept and sink the flagship at all costs. They bombard it with everything they have: books and pamphlets, incendiary bombs, firearms, cannons. The battle rages ever more furious. Beaked prows ram the flagship again and again, but to no avail, as, unscathed and undaunted, it keeps on it course. At times, a formidable ram splinters a gaping hole in its hull, but immediately, a breeze from the two columns instantly seals the gash.

"Meanwhile, enemy cannons blow up; firearms and beaks fall to pieces; ships crack up and sink to the bottom. In blind fury, the enemy takes to hand-to-hand combat, cursing and blaspheming. Suddenly the Pope falls, seriously wounded. He is instantly helped up, but struck a second time, dies. A shout of victory rises from the enemy, and wild rejoicing seeps their ships. But no sooner is the Pope dead than another takes his place. The captains of the auxiliary ships elected him so quickly that the news of the Pope's death coincides with that of his successor's election. The enemy's self-assurance wanes.

"Breaking through all resistance, the new Pope steers his ship safely between the two columns; first, to the one surmounted by the Host, and then the other, topped by the statue of the Virgin. At this point, something unexpected happens. The enemy ships panic and disperse, colliding with and scuttling each other.

"Some auxiliary ships, which had gallantly fought alongside their flagship, are the first to tie up at the two columns. Many others, which had fearfully kept far away from the fight, stand still, cautiously waiting until the wrecked enemy ships vanish under the waves. Then they too head for the two columns, tie up at the swinging hooks and ride safe and tranquil beside their flagship. A great calm now covers the sea."

The following pictures are of Pope Benedict's arrival, by boat, to Sydney Harbor. I included a picture of the Holy Father arriving by boat in Cologne, Germany as well. I don't think we can know for sure if Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI were the Pope's of Don Bosco's dream but it is worth praying over. Certainly both of these men are leading us back to the Eucharist and to strong devotion to Our Lady. Let's pray that all of us remain anchored to these great pillars following the leadership of a wonderful Holy Father!

[NYer]

This same topic surfaced last night on EWTN’s ‘Life on the Rock’.

[AnAmericanMother]

I have this book -

It is remarkable how many of Don Bosco's dreams came true. Not surprising if this was one of them.

[thefrankbaum]

I realize this is a Caucus, but I thought I'd draw any Lurker's attention to this:

"In the midst of this endless sea, two solid columns, a short distance apart, soar high into the sky. One is surmounted by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin, at whose feet a large inscriptions reads:" 'Auxilium Christianorum' ('Help of Christians') . The other, far loftier and sturdier, supports a Host of proportionate size, and bears beneath it the inscription: 'Salus credentium' ('Salvation of believers')."

[Jaded]

Haven’t we been saying that?

[thefrankbaum]

Every single time it comes up.

[NYer]

Thank you for posting the book. It's now on my Christmas list.

Thought of you tonight. Did you watch the Papal Mass from St. Mary's Cathedral? OMG!!! The beauty, reverence and the music! Would that more Catholic masses even came close to that one. You must have been been enthralled with it.

[AnAmericanMother]

Unfortunately I've been hard at work almost all day!

Is EWTN going to rebroadcast?

I'm ready to slay the cable company because they put EWTN on the premium channel list. I'll have to watch it on the internet. I see they're going to encore it at midnight, but I'll be in bed and asleep by then - going to have to get up early tomorrow to get to the hunting retriever club's annual meeting and picnic . . .

[Salvation]

The Two Columns: A dream of Saint Don Bosco [Read Only]

Feast day of St. John Bosco [Read only]

The Secret of Saint John Bosco

The Secret of Saint John Bosco

The Sniper and the Novissima [St. John Bosco]

Prophecy of St. John Bosco Fulfilled?

John Bosco's Mother Is Decreed "Venerable"

[Salvation]

This looks like a great book. Thanks.

[It's me]

.

[Salvation]

I just recovered the read only articles and will repost them. Sorry about that goof up.

[iowamark]

I'm ready to slay the cable company because they put EWTN on the premium channel list.

That is a real shame, considering that cable and satellite operators get EWTN free, unlike most channels. Perhaps a letter writing campaign would help. See:
www.ewtnmissionaries.com

[AnAmericanMother]

I've dropped them a line asking for suggestions on how to proceed.

I already contacted the cable company, and they could not care less.