To twenty-one-year-old soldier Ottavio Pavia

E I, 678

‘If you or any of them come to Turin, come with us to eat and sleep, and in the meantime we will also talk about matters of the soul’

Turin, 15 July 1863

My dear Pavia,

You did everything correctly. Rather any effort and any suffering that helps those who offend the Lord.

Continue to associate with good people; avoid those who are profligate and engage in bad talk. Tell your comrades that I love them very much in the Lord; every morning I will commend you and them to the Lord, that he may give you health and his holy grace.

If you or any of them come to Turin, come with us to eat and sleep, and in the meantime we will also talk about matters of the soul’.

Please deliver the enclosed letter in person, if possible. It concerns a young man of good will; talk to him and make him your friend, and you will be glad you did.

I won’t forget the matter you recommended.

God bless you and your companions, and believe that I am, with all my heart,

Your most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco