At the time of St. John Bosco (1815-1888), there was a custom in Italy to give out gifts around the New Year. These were called ‘Strennas". At the start of his life work of caring for and instructing the needy boys of his day, Don Bosco was faithful in giving them all a spiritual strenna. This was often some kind of special advice, word of wisdom or motto to guide them throughout the upcoming New Year. Those with St. John Bosco at the Oratory (his home for boys) eagerly awaited this special tradition.

One January 1st , at the start of 1863, Don Bosco had not yet given the boys the annual strenna. He had prayed very hard that year that God would give him some extra special wisdom for his boys and the priestly helpers at the Oratory. By January 6 (the Feast of the Epiphany), God had answered that prayer and given Don Bosco a vision-like dream with a timeless message for every New Year.

In this dream, Don Bosco saw himself in his room while all the boys at the Oratory were playing outside. Then to his surprise, an enormous elephant came onto the playground. Although it seemed meek and tame at first, it showed its evil intentions by suddenly attacking the children viciously. The poor boys fled in fright, but could not easily escape. To Don Bosco’s horror, he saw that some of the boys at the Oratory - instead of helping their wounded companions - were actually were trying to help the beast find new victims.

Just as all of this was happening, a nearby statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary suddenly became alive and grew life-like in size. Don Bosco watched amazed as She spread open Her mantle and called out pleading for the boys to come to Her protection. Don Bosco describes in his own words what he saw then:

"Her call was heeded, and as the crowd of boys under the mantle increased, so did the mantle spread wider. However a few youngsters kept running about and were wounded before they could reach safety. Flushed and breathless, the Blessed Virgin continued to plead, but fewer and fewer were the boys who ran to Her. The elephant, meanwhile, continued its slaughter, aided by several lads who dashed about, wielding one sword or two and preventing their companions from running to Mary."

Don Bosco was given to understand that in this vision the unnatural animal represented the devil and that the boys who helped it were those who maliciously serve the interests of hell by trying to corrupt souls.

"Meanwhile, prompted by the Blessed Virgin, some boys left the safety of Her mantle in quick sorties to rescue some victims. No sooner did the wounded get beneath Our Lady’s mantle than they were instantly cured. Again and again several of those brave boys, armed with cudgels, went out and, risking their lives, shielded the victims from the elephant and its accomplices until nearly all were rescued."

When all was over and the evil beast had departed, our Blessed Mother, seemingly exhausted by so much pleading, soothingly comforted and enheartened the boys.

"You heeded My call," She said. "And were spared the slaughter wrought by the devil on your companions. Do you want to know what caused their ruin? Foul talk and foul deeds. You also saw your companions wielding swords. They are those who seek your eternal damnation by enticing you from Me."

Before disappearing and the end of Don Bosco’s dream, the Holy Virgin encouraged the boys with one final instruction:

"Flee from bad companions, avoid foul conversation, have boundless trust in Me. My mantle will always be your safe refuge."

May we always have recourse to our Blessed Mother Mary’s love and protection throughout this and every year of our lives!