St. John Bosco had many dreams with profound spiritual meaning. Probably the most famous is the dream of the SHIP at sea. He envisioned a Ship at sea being tossed by the waves, surrounded my enemy boats, and in danger of being sunk. The Captain on the helm of the ship is peering into the distance and he views two pillars that ascend from the waters, one a bit higher than the other.
The Captain knew that the safety of the ship and all of the crew members depended on one thing: to steer the ship in between the two pillars. With great energy of will and firm determination, the Captain succeeded in directing the ship in between the two pillars, and then chaining and anchoring the ship to the two pillars. This done, the waters subsided, the enemy ships disappeared, and the ship gently but securely arrived at the shore, safe and sound with all of the members!
On the top of the lower pillar was a majestic and beautiful image of Mary, “Help of Christians”. On the top of the higher pillar was enthroned an impressive image of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament! Mary’s eyes are contemplating the image of the Blessed Sacrament with folded hands and reverential posture.
This dream/vision of St. John Bosco expresses the hallmarks of Catholicism, and can be utilized as a clear, but powerful and convincing educational tool to teach others the very essence of the Catholic faith. Following is the symbolic interpretation of the DREAM OF THE SHIP.( Saint John Bosco).
1. THE STORMY SEA. Points to our life on earth which is truly a battle, it is combat and all are soldiers in the army of Christ the King!
2. ENEMY SHIPS. The 3 enemies that every soldier of Christ must encounter and conquer with the help of Christ the King. They are the devil, the flesh and the world!
3. THE DEVIL tempts us with sinful thoughts and tries to seduce us as he did Eve in the garden!
4. THE FLESH. As a result of Original Sin, the flesh demands instant satisfaction and flees from penance and discipline.
5. THE WORLD. Tries to convince us that true happiness can be found in the things of this world. “Eat, drink and be merry! Live it up! You have one life to live– go for it!
6. THE CREW MEMBERS on the ship are us, hoping to arrive safely at the shore.
7. THE SHIP. Is the Catholic church. As God used Noe to save his family and a few animals in the Ark, so God provides us with a secure refuge from our enemies in the Bark of Peter— the Catholic Church.
8. THE CAPTAIN. The Captain of the Ship is the Holy Father, The Pope! If the crew can look to the Pope for spiritual and moral guidance, obey him, and trust him, then we are on sure footing.
9. PILLAR: THE EUCHARIST! The Pope points to the two pillars leading to salvation. The greatest is the most Holy Eucharist. The Pope insists on our faith, love and devotion towards Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
10. MARY: HELP OF CHRISTIANS. Mary, under the title, “Help of Christians”, always points to Jesus. She said, “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…” and “Do whatever he tells you.” To love Mary is to love Jesus; the two are inseparable!
If we as crew members, are faithful members of Holy Mother Church, if we love Mary, love and receive the Eucharist reverently and frequently and fervently, if we have a humble, reverential and obedient attitude towards the Pope, the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ, His Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff, then we will arrive safely to the shore. This shore is our heavenly homeland!
Long live Mary! Long live Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament! Long live the Pope!
“Viva Maria!” ” Viva Jesus Sacramentado!” “Viva el Papa!”
