Testimonies - Jim Zettel

Don Bosco went to Hell?

The first time I heard of Don Bosco (his full name is St. John Bosco, 1815-1888) was in August of 1995 at a youth conference in Stubenville. The presenters were dramatically retelling his vision he had of Hell. I was preparing to enter Grade 9 and so was deeply impressed by this event. Earlier that summer Bishop Tonnos had confirmed me in my parish of the Hamilton Diocese.

Shortly after Confirmation the idea, sketchy and unclear as it was, entered my mind of becoming a priest. All the priests I had met up to then, especially my parish priest, were completely top drawer. There was an initial blending of my natural attraction to the priestly life and the Holy Spirit's supernaturally stirring of His call.

My desire for the priesthood refined through high school. I felt more and more drawn to being a priest in a Religious Congregation (or Order). During my high school years I met with various Religious priests - particularly those who's Congregations worked with youth. But it was without the success for which I had hoped.

It would be some of Don Bosco's dreams that I would tell youth groups about. I saw how concerned he was for the salvation of young people, and his desire to help youths become saints - in a special way St. Dominic Savio. But ironically I didn't "clue in" that Don Bosco was the founder of a Religious Congregation that would be ideal for me.

By this time it was 2001, and I was finishing my first year at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo. I still had not found a Religious Order I wanted to join. Was I still called to the priesthood, could I have been mistaken the whole time?

But then, all of a sudden, all the Rosaries I prayed and Masses I attended to gain discernment came together. There was a "Come and See" weekend at the residence of the Salesians in Toronto. These priests and brothers were joyful, creative, faithful to the Church, dedicated themselves to youth, and were founded by Don Bosco! I fell in love.

The following two summers after University, I volunteered at a school they were involved in and worked at Camp Summerdaze at St. Benedict's Church which the Salesians run. All the while living in their community. I desired to take the next step.

So I entered their Pre-Novitiate program at their formation house in Orange, New Jersey. Here I spend a great year in a house full of young men my own age, running a youth centre, teaching catechism and taking classes in Salesian life, scripture, ministry, and the biography of Don Bosco. It was one of the best years of my life.

Currently I am 23 years old and a Salesian novice. A novice spends one full year out of regular ministry to pray, discern and grow in the Salesian charism. I am spending my year in a Salesian house in the south of England with two other novices. I will return to Canada after I take my vows.

The climax of my year will be when I make these first vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. This will be the moment when I publicly declare that I wish to donate my whole being to God for the salvation of young people. Please keep me in your prayers. It's a great life. Don Bosco has promised us Salesians bread, work and paradise. With God's grace I'm going to do it.

Please don't hesitate to e-mail me - johnxxiii@catholic.org. Here is the web page for the Salesians in England, follow the link "Novices Visit Italy" - for our novitate trip to the sites of Don Bosco. www.salesians.org.uk/