CELEBRATING THE VOCATION OF THE

BRO. JOSEPH BUZZETTI

DON BOSCO'S RIGHT HAND MAN
SALESIAN BROTHER: 1
Joseph Buzzetti was born in 1832 at Caronno Ghiringhello, a
district of Lombardy. When he was nine, like many other friends
of his, came to Turin to work as brick-layers, and having found
work immediately, began carrying mortar and bricks from dawn
to dusk.

It was his good fortune, that he was able to meet Don Bosco and
feeling irresistibly drawn to him, frequented the Oratories. At Don
Bosco’s invitation he started studying for the priesthood. But God
had other plans in store, for having donned the clerical habit in
1851, a pistol shot wounded his left index finger which had to be
amputated. This misfortune dissuaded him from proceeding
further in his studies for the priesthood. His family urged him to
leave the Oratory and provide for his own future.

When Buzzetti was to leave the Oratory, Don Bosco said to him:
“Remember the Oratory is always your own house and Don Bosco
will always be your good friend. If ever you wish to return to Don
Bosco, you are most welcome.” Buzzetti was moved and burst into
tears. “No, no” he said, “I will never leave Don Bosco. I want to be
with Don Bosco forever.” And thus, he never left Don Bosco for the
rest of his life.

Buzzetti soon became the factotum of the house. He found time

for everything. Difficulties did not frighten him and sacrifices did
not diminish his initiative to do good. No work was difficult for
him, on the condition that Don Bosco was pleased with him.. Don
Bosco entrusted him with several important duties - teaching
Catechism, assisting the boys, and finding employment for them.
When Don Bosco began his publication ‘The Catholic Readings’ in
1852, he turned to the capable and prudent Buzzetti for this
difficult and delicate work. Buzzetti was in charge of music and of
the choir. During the autumn outings of Don Bosco through the
hills of Monferrato, Buzzetti was in-charge of the singers and band
players. Don Bosco left Buzzetti to solve the most difficult
problem of the Oratory: debts and other money matters. With all
the work that he was doing in the house, he still could not be
called a Salesian Coadjutor because Don Bosco then did not have
coadjutors but only lay collaborators.

Buzzetti was indeed rendering Don Bosco valuable service in

many things, even in those where his own life was in danger.
There were several attempts on Don Bosco’s life, and strong and
energetic as he was, on many occasions Buzzetti bravely defended
Don Bosco.

JAN 2020
Buzzetti gave his whole-hearted support in arranging the lotteries Don Bosco
conducted and had the lion’s share of the work. Don Lemoyne says, that from
1852, Buzzetti was “the right hand of Don Bosco” and that he acquired a
wonderful ease in realizing even the most difficult and complicated enterprises
of Don Bosco. Let us quote just one instance: The lottery conducted in Rome in
1884 to gather sufficient money for the construction of the Basilica did not
secure the funds necessary for the construction of the church. Don Bosco
studied the situation on the spot itself and while leaving the place, promised
the Rector that he would send him a helper who would solve all difficulties. As
soon as Don Bosco reached the Oratory, he called Buzzetti and said “I want you
to go to Rome quickly and help the confreres in their troubles. Only you can do
it.” Buzzetti left for Rome immediately and seeing that the work of the church
was confronted with serious difficulties, he did all in his power to find a
solution. He, in fact solved the problems they faced and the work went on
smoothly once again. When he returned to the Oratory Don Bosco expressed
his satisfaction at the great work done by Buzzetti who was immensely pleased
to know that Don Bosco was happy, and again took up his usual work in the
Oratory.

Buzzetti who loved Don Bosco’s works so much and would have given his life
for Don Bosco, deemed himself unworthy to be  a Salesian. Till 1877 he actually
did not feel like making the religious profession in the Society. Finally one day
in 1877 Don Bosco told him that they would not be near to each other in
heaven. Wonder-struck, Buzzetti asked the reason whereupon Don Bosco
explained: “I will be in the midst of my Salesians and only from afar will I be
able to see those who are not Salesians.” This had such an impact on Buzzetti
that he immediately asked to be admitted into the Society. Don Bosco himself
presented his application to the Superior Chapter and they unanimously
admitted him into the Salesian Congregation.

There was no change in the life that Buzzetti led after being admitted into the
Society. For forty years the Oratory was all the world he knew, the life of the
Oratory was his own and the Salesian Congregation the object of his
predilection.

Suddenly worn out more by work than by age, he felt that his end was drawing
near. Don Barberis writes: “He lived for three years and six months after the
death of Don Bosco but it could be said that his mission on earth was over. All
his life he had helped Don Bosco, he had exposed himself even to serious
dangers to save Don Bosco, he had ploughed his way through the most difficult
circumstances for the sake of Don Bosco and now Don Bosco was no more here
on earth and also Buzzetti’s mission seemed to have ended. Those three and a
half years were more of a proximate preparation for his death.”
When his health was greatly impaired, he spent his time in prayer. Even on his
bed of sufferings he was perfectly calm and tranquil. He gave his beautiful soul
to God on July 13th, 1892.