Letter 11: Æmona was a Roman colony not far from Stridon, Jerome's birthplace. The virgins to whom the note is addressed had omitted to answer his letters, and he now writes to upbraid them for their remissness. The date of the letter is 374 A.D.

Letter 11: To the Consecrated Virgins of Aemona (374 AD) [Aemona (modern Ljubljana, Slovenia) was a Roman colony near Jerome's birthplace of Stridon. The virgins had failed to answer his letters, and he writes to scold them — though the scolding is mixed with a surprisingly vulnerable plea not to be shunned as a sinner.] This tiny piece of paper shows what a wilderness I'm living in, and because of it I have to say a lot in few words. Much as I'd like to write at length, this miserable scrap forces me to leave things unsaid. But ingenuity makes up for lack of materials, and by writing small I can say a great deal. Notice, I beg you, how much I love you — even in the midst of my difficulties, even a shortage of supplies can't stop me from writing. Forgive me, please — I'm a man with a grievance. If I speak in tears and anger, it's because I've been hurt. In exchange for my steady stream of letters, you haven't sent me a single syllable. I know that light has no fellowship with darkness [2 Corinthians 6:14], and God's handmaids have no business with a sinner. But a prostitute was allowed to wash the Lord's feet with her tears [Luke 7:37-38], and dogs are permitted to eat the crumbs from their masters' table [Matthew 15:27]. The Savior's mission was to call sinners, not the righteous; as he said himself: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor" [Matthew 9:12-13]. He wants the sinner's repentance rather than his death [Ezekiel 33:11], and he carries the lost sheep home on his own shoulders [Luke 15:5]. When the prodigal son comes home, his father welcomes him with joy [Luke 15:20]. What's more, the apostle says: "Judge nothing before the appointed time" [1 Corinthians 4:5]. "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls" [Romans 14:4]. "Let him who thinks he stands take care that he doesn't fall" [1 Corinthians 10:12]. "Bear one another's burdens" [Galatians 6:2]. Dear sisters, human jealousy judges one way; Christ judges another. And the gossip whispered in a corner is not the same as the verdict of his tribunal. Many paths seem right to people that later turn out to be wrong [Proverbs 14:12]. And treasure is often stored in clay pots [2 Corinthians 4:7]. Peter denied his Lord three times, yet his bitter tears restored him to his place. The one who is forgiven much loves much [Luke 7:47]. There's no special mention of the flock as a whole, yet the angels in heaven rejoice over the safety of one sick sheep [Luke 15:7, 10]. And if anyone objects to this reasoning, the Lord himself has said: "Friend, are you envious because I am generous?" [Matthew 20:15]

To the Virgins of Æmona Æmona was a Roman colony not far from Stridon, Jerome's birthplace. The virgins to whom the note is addressed had omitted to answer his letters, and he now writes to upbraid them for their remissness. The date of the letter is 374 A.D. This scanty sheet of paper shows in what a wilderness I live, and because of it I have to say much in few words. For, desirous though I am to speak to you more fully, this miserable scrap compels me to leave much unsaid. Still ingenuity makes up for lack of means, and by writing small I can say a great deal. Observe, I beseech you, how I love you, even in the midst of my difficulties, since even the want of materials does not stop me from writing to you. Pardon, I beseech you, an aggrieved man: if I speak in tears and in anger it is because I have been injured. For in return for my regular letters you have not sent me a single syllable. Light, I know, has no communion with darkness, 2 Corinthians 6:14 and God's handmaidens no fellowship with a sinner, yet a harlot was allowed to wash the Lord's feet with her tears, and dogs are permitted to eat of their masters' crumbs. Matthew 15:27 It was the Saviour's mission to call sinners and not the righteous; for, as He said Himself, they that be whole need not a physician. Matthew 9:12-13 He wills the repentance of a sinner rather than his death, Ezekiel 33:11 and carries home the poor stray sheep on His own shoulders. Luke 15:5 So, too, when the prodigal son returns, his father receives him with joy. Luke 15:20 Nay more, the apostle says: Judge nothing before the time. 1 Corinthians 4:5 For who are you that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Romans 14:4 And let him that stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Bear ye one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2 Dear sisters, man's envy judges in one way, Christ in another; and the whisper of a corner is not the same as the sentence of His tribunal. Many ways seem right to men which are afterwards found to be wrong. Proverbs 14:12 And a treasure is often stowed in earthen vessels. 2 Corinthians 4:7 Peter thrice denied his Lord, yet his bitter tears restored him to his place. To whom much is forgiven, the same loves much. Luke 7:47 No word is said of the flock as a whole, yet the angels joy in heaven over the safety of one sick ewe. Luke 15:7, 10 And if any one demurs to this reasoning, the Lord Himself has said: Friend, is your eye evil because I am good? Matthew 20:15 About this page Source. Translated by W.H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W.G. Martley. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 6. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1893.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001011.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.