To cleric Giovanni Garino

E I, 681

“Remember these three pieces of advice: flee from idleness; flee from dissipated companions and go around with companions devoted to piety; this is all there is for you.”

St Ignatius, Lanzo Torinese, 20 July 1863

My dear Garino,

Your last letter hit the mark. Do as you wrote and you will see that we will both be happy; but as I told you before, I need your unlimited trust, which I am sure you will grant me, if you think of the care I have shown and will continue to show in everything that can contribute to the good of your soul and also to your temporal well-being.

In the meantime, remember these three pieces of advice: flee from idleness; flee from dissipated companions and go around with companions devoted to piety; for you, this is all.

Pray for me, and I will always be yours,

most affectionately in J. C.

Fr John Bosco