Imagine that you are with me on the seashore, or better, on an isolated rock with no other land in sight except that which is under your feet. On that immense surface of water, can be seen a countless fleet of warships in battle array. Their prows are formed into sharp, spear-like points, which will damage and pierce anything they collide with. They are armed with cannons, loaded with rifles and all sorts of other firearms, incendiary material, and also books. They advance toward a much larger and higher ship, attempting to run it through with their prows, burn it, or at the very least to do it every possible harm.
Two mighty Columns above the waves
Escorting that majestic and fully equipped ship is a convoy of many small ships which, receiving signalled commands from it, manoeuvre to defend it from the enemy fleet. The wind is against them and the turbulent sea favours the enemies.
In the midst of the immense expanse of sea, two mighty columns of great height arise above the waves, a short distance apart. One is surmounted by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin, at whose feet a large banner is unfurled with the inscription: Auxilium Christianorum (Help of Christians). Upon the other column, which is much stronger and loftier, is a Host of proportionate size, and at its base another banner with the inscription: Salus credentium (Salvation of the Faithful).
The supreme commander convokes the navigators of the fleet
In the great Ship, the supreme commander, who is the Roman Pontiff, seeing the fury of the enemies and the difficult situation in which the faithful find themselves, resolves to summon the captains of the secondary ships to hold a council and decide what is to be done. All of them gather around the Pope in the Flagship. They hold a meeting; but as the wind and the storm grow in fury, they are ordered to return to govern their respective ships.
There is a slight lull in the storm and the Pope gathers the captains around him for a second time, while the Flagship follows its course. However, the gale returns with dreadful fury.
The Pope stands at the helm and all his efforts are aimed at positioning the Ship between those two columns from whose summits hang many anchors and large hooks attached to chains.
A cry of victory resounds among the enemies
All the enemy ships move in to attack it and do everything in their power to surround it: some with writings, books, incendiary material of which they are full; others with cannons, rifles and the rams. The battle rages ever more relentlessly. The enemy prows strike violently, but their efforts and blows are futile. In vain they renew the attack and exhaust their forces and munitions: the great Ship goes safely and smoothly on its way.
At times, having been struck by formidable blows, gaping holes are opened in its hull, but immediately a gentle breeze from the two columns seals the gash.
Meanwhile, the assailants discharge their cannons, rifles and other weapons, and attack with the rams. Many of their ships are destroyed and sunk. The infuriated enemy then engages in hand-to-hand combat using fists and blows, with blasphemies and cursing.
Suddenly, the Pope falls, seriously wounded. Immediately, those who are with him rush to his aid and lift him up. A second time the Pope is struck, he falls again and dies. Among the enemies, a cry of victory and joy rings out; wild rejoicing can be seen on their ships.
But no sooner is the Pontiff dead than another takes his place. The captains of the other ships have gathered so quickly to elect him that the news of the Pope’s death coincides with that of the election of his successor. The enemies begin to lose heart.
A great calm reigns over the sea
Overcoming and annihilating all resistance, the new Pope guides the Ship between the two columns and there secures it with a short chain hanging from the prow to an anchor of the column with the Host atop it; with the other chain hanging from the stern he secures it, on the opposite side, to the other anchor hanging from the column surmounted with the Immaculate Virgin.
Then a great convulsion takes place. All the ships that until then had fought against the Pope’s Ship flee; they are scattered, collide with one another and are destroyed. Some sink and try to sink others.
Several small ships that had fought gallantly for the Pope are the first to bind themselves to those two columns. Many other ships, having retreated through fear of the battle, cautiously watch from afar; the wreckage of the broken ships having been scattered in the depths of the sea, they in their turn sail in good earnest to those two columns, and, having reached them, they bind to the hooks hanging down from them and there they remain safe, together with the principal Ship, on which is the Pope.
A great calm reigns over the sea. ◊
(Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, Volume 7: Chapter 18 –
Translation: Heralds of the Gospel)
