Don Bosco and the miracle of the chestnuts

Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order is known for his dedication to young people and for his many miracles. Among these, one of the most famous is certainly the "Miracle of Chestnuts". This event occurred in the fall of 1849, on a Sunday after All Saints' Day.

That day Don Bosco led all the youth of the oratory to visit the cemetery and pray for the dead. On the other hand, once they returned to Valdocco, he would give them some chestnuts.

Mamma Margherita, even though she bought some that day 3 bags, he cooked less, believing that they could be enough for all the young people.

Joseph Buzzetti, who arrived before the rest of the group, seeing the chestnuts, told the woman that they would never be enough for everyone. Unfortunately, however, it was too late to remedy.

When Don Bosco arrived the young people began to huddle around him to receive the prize. The many agony chestnuts. Don Bosco, convinced that her mother had cooked them all, didn't worry and with one basket in full hand, began to fill one by one i caps boys. Buzzetti, when he realized that Don Bosco, given the amount he was distributing, it was clear that he knew nothing, told him that of the 3 bags only a few had been cooked.

The chestnuts miraculously multiply in the basket

But Don Bosco, seeing the quantity of chestnuts in the basket, reassured him and continued to distribute the same ration to everyone. Buzzetti was skeptical, seeing barely in the basket 2 or 3 servings in front of 650 boys yet to be served.

The basket was almost empty and at that point Don Bosco went to his mother to check whether he had cooked them or not. But the chestnuts were raw.

He didn't want to disappoint the boys and despite everything, took a big ladle continued to distribute them. At that point, under the astonished gaze of Buzzetti, the chestnuts they grew backso much so that when all the boys had been served, there was still a portion left in the basket, probably intended for Don Bosco.

In memory of this fact Don Bosco wanted that on All Saints night boiled chestnuts were distributed to all those in the oratory.