Young Boy Raised from the Dead by St. John Bosco

A fifteen-year-old boy in Turin was about to die. He called for Don Bosco, but the saint was not able to make it in time. Another priest heard the boy's confession and the boy died. 

When Don Bosco returned to Turin, he set out at once to see the boy. When told that the boy was dead, he insisted that it was "just a misunderstanding." After a moment of prayer in the room of the dead child, Don Bosco suddenly cried out: 

"Charles! Rise!" 

To the utter amazement of all present, the boy stirred, opened his eyes, and sat up. Seeing Don Bosco, his eyes lit up. 

"Father, I was just now on the very shores of Hell about to be thrown into the Lake of Fire!" 

"Two weeks ago I was with a bad companion who led me into sin and at my last confession, I was afraid to tell everything . . . Oh, I've just come out of a nightmare! 

I became sick and my body weak, when without warning I slipped from my body and began descending down into darkness.  I arrived in a dark cavern which was lit by a fitful reddish glow.  Afraid and alone I walked towards the flickering light.   There, I found myself standing on the edge of a huge furnace surrounded by many hordes of hideous  foul looking devils.  The very sight of them caused my feet to try and flee, but they were more numerous and I so scared that i stumbled and fell in my escape attempt.  In an instant they were upon me, biting and scratching me.   They lifted me up above their heads and were about to throw me into the flames when a beautiful Lady radiating rays of light appeared and stopped them.

'There's still hope for you, Charles,' she told me. 'You have been given the grace of Divine Mercy!' 

At that exact moment I heard you, Don Bosco, calling my name! What a joy to see you again!  Oh, Don Bosco will you please hear my confession?" 

After hearing the boy's confession, Don Bosco said to the boy, 

"Charles, now that the gates of Heaven lie wide open for you, would you rather go there or stay here with us?" 

The boy looked away for a moment and his eyes grew moist with tears. An expectant hush fell over the room. 

"Don Bosco", he said at last, "I'd rather go to Heaven." Then, with hushed mouths, the mourners watched in amazement as Charles leaned back on the pillows, closed his eyes, and settled once more into the stillness of death. This time, however, the boys face was lit with the most beautiful peaceful smile.