How One Must Go to the Land of the Infidels

Source: Google Books

My little children, God has entrusted me with sending you to the land of the Saracens to preach there and confess His faith, and to attack the law of Muhammad.

As for me, I will go on my side to some region of the infidels, and I will send other brothers throughout the world. Therefore, prepare yourselves, my children, to fulfill the will of the Lord.

But, oh my beloved sons, in order to better carry out this command of God for the salvation of your souls, take care to preserve among yourselves peace, harmony, and the indissoluble bond of charity. Flee from envy, which is the root of our perdition. Be patient in tribulation, humble in prosperity, and thus you will remain victorious in every struggle.

Be imitators of Jesus Christ in poverty, obedience, and chastity; for Our Lord Jesus Christ was born poor, lived poor, taught poverty, and died in the embrace of poverty.

To show how much He loved chastity, He willed to be born of a Virgin; He chose virgins as His first soldiers, the innocents; He counseled virginity, kept it Himself, and left this life surrounded by virgins.

He also maintained obedience from His entry into life until the death on the cross. Let your hope rest solely in God; He Himself will guide and help you. Carry with you the rule and your breviary, in order to recite the divine office as perfectly as possible. All of you obey Brother Vital, your elder.

My children, your good will fills me with joy, it is true; yet my heart feels a bitter tenderness seeing you depart and separate from me; but the order of God must be preferred to our own will. I beg you to keep ever before your eyes the passion of the Lord; it will strengthen you and inspire you to suffer with greater courage for Him.