Letter 239. To Father Gracian, Avila, the beginning of August, 1578

Encouragement and sympathy,

MAY the Holy Ghost be with your Paternity, my Father, and give you strength to endure this combat, for in our days God permits the world and the devils to assail few persons with such fury. Blessed be His name Who has decreed that you should gain such merits in so just a cause. I assure you that, but for our natural affection, reason would show us clearly what strong motives we have for joy. I am relieved at hearing you do not consider that you were excommunicated, though I never believed you had incurred that penalty. . .