37. To Burgundius and his wife Richera

Anselm, by the grace of God Archbishop of Canter bury to his brother and beloved friend, Burgundius, and to his wife Richera, his sister, greeting, and God's blessing, and his own, if it avail aught.

You sent me word, Burgundius, dear lord and beloved friend, that you desired to go to Jerusalem for the service of God and the salvation of your soul, and that you wished to do so with the consent of me, Anselm, and of your sons, my nephews. I rejoice at your good intention, and I advise and exhort you if you take this journey to carry away with you none of the sins you may have committed, nor leave any behind you at home; and in the future to have a fixed intention of serving God as a true Christian in your own rank. Make confession of all your sins from your childhood, one by one, so far as you can remember them. See that you do no wrong to your wife, whose goodness you know better than I do; but let her be so left as that she may not be without help and advice, whatever God may do with you; nor be expelled from your home and rank against her will so long as she shall live, that she may be able to attend on God for the welfare of your body and soul and for her own soul and those of your sons. Arrange all your affairs as you would do were you now dying and knew you were about to give account to God of your whole life. You ask my sanction. The approval, and counsel, and help, and protection of God, these I pray Him you may have in all ways and everywhere. To thee, sister mine, most dearly beloved, I would say: turn all thine intention, thy whole life, to the service of God; and since God taketh away from thee all happiness in this life, believe He doeth this that thou mayest delight in Him alone: Him love, long for, think upon; wait on Him at all times and everywhere. May Almighty God bless you both.