After love for Our Lord, I recommend to you that of the Church, his Bride; this dear sweet dove which alone can lay the eggs, and give birth to the little doves of the Spouse. Thank God a hundred times a day for being a child of the Church, after the example of many saints, those brothers and sisters of ours who preceded us in this happy journey. Have great compassion on all pastors, preachers and directors of souls, and see how they are spread out over the face of the earth, because there is no part of the earth where they are not numerous. Pray to God for them so that, by saving themselves, they might gain salvation for souls. (Padre Pio; Letters III, p. 711)