(ANS – Rome) – Sometimes, when listening to the missionaries’ most adventurous accounts, one is struck by the dangers they faced, from a hostile natural environment and precarious travel conditions to hostility from certain sections of the local population. Don Bosco, through his dreams, imagined what those risks might be.

As a newly ordained priest, he himself had considered going to China with the Fathers of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, but he was advised to “think it over carefully.” Yet the drive that led him, at the age of sixty, to urge his companions to go beyond Buenos Aires — to support Italian migrants — and reach Patagonia, was based on a truly extraordinary project. The presentation of the crucifix in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians el November 11, 1875, constituted a pact between the Mother of the Church and the first ten departing missionaries; and the mutual responsibility of the mission would be reaffirmed with every new dispatch.

Mary’s protection would be invoked in the face of every danger, while the Salesians would devote themselves to bringing the Gospel to the farthest reaches of the Earth: this was the case for Fr. Giacomo (“James”) Costamagna, chosen by Don Bosco himself as leader of the third expedition to South America, two years later.

The Storm on the Santa Rosa

Together with the auxiliary bishop of the Argentine capital, Mariano Antonio Espinosa, and two other Salesians, Fr. Evasio Rabagliati y Salesian Brother Savino Lazzarista, Fr. Costamagna boarded the ship Santa Rosa to set sail for Patagonia. The account of that journey was later recounted by the Rector Major at the time, Fr. Paul Albera, Don Bosco’s second successor at the head of the Congregation:

“They were caught in such a terrifying storm that everyone believed they were doomed; and it was only through a special grace of Mary Most Holy, Help of Christians, that they emerged unscathed.”

Fr. Costamagna himself, in one of his many talks, recalled:

“We poor missionaries, after having confessed to one another, commended our souls to one another, prepared to die at any moment. The captain had shut himself in his cabin, the crew were weeping; it was all over for the poor travelers on the Santa Rosa. When all of a sudden Fr. Rabagliati reminded Bishop Espinosa and me that we were in the novena to Mary Help of Christians, and that this dear Mother would certainly not let us perish in the waves. We entrusted ourselves to her with all our hearts, and our prayers were answered. The sea calmed as if by magic, and we were able to disembark safely.”

The Colorado Desert

Having failed in his attempt by sea, Fr. Costamagna undertook the overland journey the following year at the same time of year.

“In the middle of the desert, I lost my way on May 23, while on the banks of the Colorado River I was saying the first Vespers of Mary Help of Christians; I believed myself about to become prey for ferocious beasts whose growls could be heard not far away. With all my heart I entrusted myself to Mary Help of Christians, and the next day, as the sun set behind the Andes, this son of Don Bosco reached the Rio Negro, and there, at the gates of Patagonia, the Congregación Salesiana raised the banner of Mary Help of Christians on the very day of her feast. Oh! May the dear Mother of Don Bosco live forever!”

Beyond Patagonia

Her protection enabled him to carry out his task with increasing success and esteem from his confreres and the Vatican authorities.

“He was therefore consecrated a bishop in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians by Archbishop Davide Riccardi, Archbishop of Turin,” recounts Fr. Albera. “His destination was the territory of the Jivaros of Gualaquiza, and the new pastor knew full well that he would encounter difficulties and dangers of every kind there. Nevertheless, full of trust in Mary Most Holy, Help of Christians, he set off for his destination on October 31 of that same year, at the head of a magnificent expedition of 107 Salesians y Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.”

Source: Missioni Don Bosco