The monasteries are rich enough, and you see how poor we are.

Perhaps you have heard that the parish priests extort money from the peasants--refusing to perform the rites of baptism or burial until a considerable sum has been paid.

It is only too true, but who is to blame?
The priest must live and bring up his family, and you cannot imagine the humiliations to which he has to submit in order to gain a scanty pittance.

I know it by experience.

When I make the periodical visitation I can see that the peasants grudge every handful of rye and every egg that they give me.