The majority of the individuals who relive within this book have lived a very spiritual life, in the spirit of Christ. They were true embodiments of God's boundless love and of humanity. Living according to the Gospel, most of them lived within social groups. Others, in response to a mysterious call, chose to live for a period of time as hermits, without isolating themselves from their earthly brothers. Overcoming the weaknesses and passions of human nature, as well as the temptations of the devil, each one knew how to unite prayer with obedience - these two wings of spiritual ascent - and was able to give advice, write, and establish rules that remain to this day as brilliant testimonies.