To the Martyrs

​Amidst the nourishment for the flesh, blessed martyrs-designate—which both our lady mother the Church from her breasts and individual brethren from their own private resources supply to you in prison—receive also something from us that may serve to nourish your spirit as well. For it is of no benefit that the flesh be fattened while the spirit starves. Rather, if that which is weak is cared for, equally that which is even weaker ought not to be neglected. Nor am I so great as to address you. Yet even the most accomplished gladiators are encouraged from afar not only by their trainers and overseers, but also by bystanders and any casual onlookers, so that suggestions dictated by the crowd itself have often proved beneficial. First of all, therefore, blessed ones, do not grieve the Holy Spirit who entered the prison with you. For if He had not entered with you now, neither would you be there today. And therefore endeavor that He may abide with you there: so may He lead you from there to the Lord. The prison indeed is also the devil’s house, in which he keeps his household. But you have come into the prison for this reason, that you may trample him underfoot even in his own house. For already, having met him outside, you had trampled him. Therefore, let him not say: ‘They are in my domain, I will tempt them with petty hatreds, defections, or dissensions among themselves.’ Let him flee from your sight and hide in his deepest depths, shriveled and numb, like a serpent charmed or smoked out. Nor let it go so well with him in his own kingdom that he may set you against one another; rather, let him find you fortified and armed with concord, because your peace is war to him. Some in the Church, not having this peace, have been accustomed to entreat it from the martyrs in prison. And therefore, for this very reason, you ought to possess, cherish, and preserve it within yourselves, so that, if by chance, you may be able to bestow it on others as well.