Letter 11035: Having received your Glory's letters, which spoke with tears for words, we, most beloved daughters, are affected by no less sorrow than yourselves for your father's sickness. For we cannot account that sadness as extraneous which is made our own by the law of charity. But, since in no state of despair ought there to be distrust in the mercy of o...

Gregory to Barbara and Antonina. Most beloved daughters, I received your Glory's letter -- written more in tears than in words -- and I am touched by no less sorrow than you feel for your father's illness. The law of charity makes your sadness my own. But even in the direst circumstances, we must not lose trust in the mercy of our Redeemer. Lift your spirits for the sake of comforting your father. Place your hope in the hand of Almighty God. By his protection, I trust he will guard you from all adversity, ease your suffering, and bring about a favorable outcome according to your father's wishes. But should God call him to pay the debt we all owe as mortals -- even then, do not let despair crush you, and do not be alarmed by what anyone says. After God, who is the governor and protector of orphans, I will be personally attentive to your welfare. I will act with all speed, with the Lord's help, to look after your interests, so that no harsh treatment from unjust men may trouble you. I owe this debt to the goodness of your parents, and I intend to repay it in full. May heavenly grace nurture you with its favor and defend you from every harm, so that your safety becomes my joy.

Book XI, Letter 35 To Barbara and Antonina . Gregory to Barbara, etc. Having received your Glory's letters, which spoke with tears for words, we, most beloved daughters, are affected by no less sorrow than yourselves for your father's sickness. For we cannot account that sadness as extraneous which is made our own by the law of charity. But, since in no state of despair ought there to be distrust in the mercy of our Redeemer, raise your spirits for the comforting of your father, place your hope in the hand of Almighty God, and by His protection we trust that He will guard you from all adversity, and cheer your tribulation, and grant you to be favourably disposed of according to your father's desires. But should He pay the debt of our human lot, even then let not any despair crush you, nor the words of any persons cause you alarm. For after God, Who is the governor and protector of orphans, we will be so solicitous in behalf of your most sweet Glory, and will so make haste, with the Lord's help, to provide as we can for your advantage, that no rough handling of unjust men may perturb you , and that we may repay in all ways the debt we have contracted from the goodness of your parents. And so may heavenly grace nurture you with its favour and defend you by its protection from all evils, that your safety may become our joy. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360211035.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.