Letter 246: I am filled with distress at seeing evil on the high road to success, while you, my reverend friends, are faint and failing under continuous calamity. But when again I bethink me of the mighty hand of God, and reflect that He knows how to raise up them that are broken down, to love the just, to crush the proud and to put down the mighty from the...
I am filled with distress at seeing evil on the road to triumph, while you, my dear friends, grow faint under continuous calamity. But when I remember the mighty hand of God -- that He knows how to raise the broken, to love the just, to crush the proud, and to bring down the powerful from their thrones -- my heart lightens with hope. I know that through your prayers the calm the Lord intends for us will come soon.
Do not grow weary in prayer. In this present crisis, strive to give everyone a clear example through your actions of whatever you teach with your words.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
When I had read the letter of your holinesses, how did I not groan and lament that I had heard of these further troubles, of blows and insults inflicted on yourselves, of destruction of homes, devastation of the city, ruin of your whole country, persecution of the Church, banishment; of priests, invasion of wolves, and scattering of flocks. But ...
1. My occupations are very numerous, and my mind is full of many anxious cares, but I have never forgotten you, my dear friends, ever praying my God for your constancy in the faith, wherein ye stand and have your boasting in the hope of the glory of God. Truly nowadays it is hard to find, and extraordinary to see, a Church pure, unharmed by the ...
I have received your lordships' letter, and offered thanks to God most holy, that you, occupied as you are with affairs of state, should not put those of the Church in the second place. I am grateful to think that every one of you has shown anxiety as though he were acting in his own private interest, nay, in defense of his own life, and that yo...