“When I was about 9 years old, I had a dream that left a profound impression on me for the rest of my life. I dreamed that I was near my home, in a very large playing field where a crowd of children were having fun. Some were laughing, others were playing and not a few were cursing. I was so shocked at their language that I jumped into their midst, swinging wildly and shouting at them to stop. At that moment a Man appeared, nobly attired, with a manly and imposing bearing. He was clad with a white flowing mantle, and His face radiated such light that I could not look directly at Him. He called me by name and told me to place myself as leader of those boys, adding these words: ‘You will have to win these friends of yours not with blows but with GENTLENESS and KINDNESS. So begin right now to show them that SIN IS UGLY and VIRTUE BEAUTIFUL.’ Confused and afraid, I ... ”

-Don Bosco