Dearest Mother, yesterday afternoon we arrived in Regensburg, and on the way we faced many hardships and inconveniences due to the constant rain and flooding, along with other things that typically happen under such circumstances. It is nothing worth noting – if God chooses to accept my suffering, then these things seem to me like absolutely nothing compared to my loneliness, in which I strive to surrender myself as best as I can. For when our Lord came to this world to fulfill the will of His Father out of love for me, I have all the more reason to surrender to His will. Your Lordship, dear mother, do not cease to earnestly commend me to God's Majesty, that He may grant me the grace to truly decide to endure suffering with humility, for, dear mother, great help is needed to wholeheartedly decide on such a thing.
(Bro. Simon of St. Paul OCD, letter to the venerable Mother Elekta /1605–1663/, July 5, 1647)
