Better than a Masterpiece

Come to our office any day. The first thing you will see as you enter is a white frame hanging on the front wall. It’s not a replica of a masterpiece. Nor is it a photo of a smiling child in our program. (Though we have those too!) It’s a copy of the vision our founder, Msgr. John Patrick Carroll-Abbing, left to us. It’s his dream for the children he wanted to help in Italy and around the world.

That frame is strategically placed so that every morning when we enter our office, we are reminded of where we come from and what we need to achieve. We begin every day with Monsignor’s dream for a better world.

Every October we celebrate our visionary founder in a special way. Today, I would like to share with you his vision, which inspires us to bring his successful approach to at-risk children all over the world. 

Welcome to our office …
 
“It was during my illness that I dreamed of a future Boys’ Town, of a community where an ancient adage, Maxima debetur pueri reverential, would be meditated and applied, a community where the innate rights and duties and the God-given mission of each child in society would be respected and fostered.

A fraternal community where suspicious youngsters would learn the difficult art of living together in liberty, in mutual tolerance, in peace and brotherly love. 
 
A joyous place where the antisocial boy would find understanding for his difficulties, encouragement in his efforts to advance, confidence and trust as a bulwark against the temptation to despair.

A  place where the bitter child would learn through the patient dedication of his elders that there is warmth in the world and goodness and self-sacrifice.

A place where each day could be a period of growth, encouraging the children to develop the gifts with nature had endowed them. 
 
A place which would have as its ultimate goal to help each boy and girl find their true place in society as responsible citizen.”  
 
Thank you for helping us continue the mission of Msgr. John Patrick Carroll-Abbing.
​
Cordiali Saluti,
Gabriele

P.S. If you live in New York City or nearby, click here to join us in celebrating our founder next Thursday on October 18, 6PM at the Isle of Capri at 1028 3rd Ave.