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Forever memorable was one of the last visits that Don Bosco paid in Turin. Nine hundred pilgrims, Catholic working men of France, on their way to Rome, stopped in Turin and solicited the happiness of seeing him. Weak and suffering as he was, he walked to Sogno's hotel leaning on Don Rua and Mr. Harmel. As the large hall could not accommodate all the pilgrims, Don Bosco seated himself in front of the hotel entrance, and having given them and their families a fervent benediction, he deputed Don Rua to address them in his behalf. Each of the pilgrims then knelt to kiss Don Bosco's hand and receive from him a medal of Our Lady, Help of Christians—a function that lasted nearly an hour, during which the venerable patriarch softly spoke his good wishes: "May the Blessed Virgin protect you and guide you to Heaven!" or to priests, "God grant that you may lead many souls to Him!"

The Salesian Bulletin, in a description of this inspiring scene, adds: "On this evening Don Bosco received many proofs of a generosity which is proverbial. The French pilgrimages leave long and bright trains of faith in their wake."