The Three White things: The Eucharist, Mary and the Pope

Saint John Bosco, or Don Bosco (1815 - 1888), was an Italian priest who founded the Salesian order, whose mission is “the Christian perfection of its associates obtained by the exercise of spiritual and corporal works of charity towards the young, especially the poor, and the education of boys to the priesthood.”

For over 60 years Don Bosco had a series of extraordinary “dreams” that contained clear visions of the future in a certain prophetic style. One such “dream” is called “The Two Pillars in the Sea.” We know from Saint John Bosco’s memoirs that on May 30, 1862, he narrated this dream concerning the big battle, involving the Church and Her many adversaries, the sufferings of the Pope and the final triumph through devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist and to Our Blessed Mother, under the title "Help of Christians."

In a dream he saw the sea, and there, arrayed in battle, countless ships filled with weapons of all kinds, attacking a great and majestic ship representing the Church.

Suddenly, two pillars appeared: one, the largest, help up a bright host, with the inscription: "Salvation of the Faithful." The other, marked with the words "Our Lady Help of Christians," was surmounted by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin holding a rosary.

The assault turned to the advantage of the aggressors but the Pope, also in white, at the bow of the great ship, twice summoned the captains of the auxiliary ships to deliberate on decisions to be taken. He was eventually hit and died, but his successor won the battle by firmly securing the ship to both Pillars.

A painting, displayed in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, recalls this famous dream of the "Three White Things," which Saint John Bosco had shortly before the beginning of the First Vatican Council.

The Marie de Nazareth Team