A Festal Letter on the Storm in the Churches

We have enjoyed the usual blessings of the feast. We have kept the feast in memory of the saving Passion; through the resurrection of the Lord we have received the good news of the resurrection of all; and we have sung hymns to the inexpressible loving-kindness of our God and Savior. But the storm tossing the churches has not let us have our share of unmixed gladness. If, when one member is in pain, the whole body shares the pang, how can we keep from lamenting when the whole body is in distress? And it deepens our discouragement to think that these things are the prelude to the general falling away. [a]

May your piety pray that, since we are in this plight, we may receive the divine help, so that, as the divine Apostle puts it, we may “be able to withstand the evil day.” But if any time remains for the business of this life, pray that the storm may pass, that the churches may recover their former calm, and that the enemies of the truth may no longer gloat over our misfortunes.