Letter 50039: I have received your letter, dearest brother, and I thank you for the care you have taken to write.

Augustine to Antoninus, greetings. I have received your letter, dearest brother, and I thank you for the care you have taken to write. The matters you raise deserve more attention than I can give them in a short reply, but I will do what I can. You describe the difficulties of your situation — the troubles within your congregation, the pressures from without, the weariness that comes from carrying burdens that never seem to lighten. I understand this more than you might think. Every bishop knows this weight. And every bishop also knows the temptation to set it down and walk away. But we did not choose this burden — it was laid on us. And the one who laid it on us also promised: "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" [Matthew 11:30]. This does not mean the work is easy. It means that the one who helps us carry it is strong enough for both of us. Do not lose heart, brother. The labor is real, but so is the one who labors with us. And the fruit, when it comes — a soul turned from error, a heart opened to grace, a community strengthened in love — is worth more than all the weariness. I hold you in my prayers. Hold me in yours. Farewell.

From Jerome to Augustine (A.D. 397) Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To My Lord Augustine, a Father Truly Holy and Most Blessed, Jerome Sends Greeting in Christ. 1. Last year I sent by the hand of our brother, the subdeacon Asterius, a letter conveying to your Excellency a salutation due to you, and readily rendered by me; and I think that my letter was delivered to you. I now write again, by my holy brother the deacon Præsidius, begging you in the first place not to forget me, and in the second place to receive the bearer of this letter, whom I commend to you with the request that you recognise him as one very near and dear to me, and that you encourage and help him in whatever way his circumstances may demand; not that he is in need of anything (for Christ has amply endowed him), but that he is most eagerly desiring the friendship of good men, and thinks that in securing this he obtains the most valuable blessing. His design in travelling to the West you may learn from his own lips. 2. As for us, established here in our monastery, we feel the shock of waves on every side, and are burdened with the cares of our lot as pilgrims. But we believe in Him who has said, Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, John 16:33 and are confident that by His grace and guidance we shall prevail against our adversary the devil. I beseech you to give my respectful salutation to the holy and venerable brother, our father Alypius. The brethren who, with me, devote themselves to serve the Lord in this monastery, salute you warmly. May Christ our Almighty God guard you from harm, and keep you mindful of me, my lord and father truly holy and venerable.