Here we are in great concord, just as if we were of the same religious order.

And although there is no lack of suffering, because the house affords us but poor shelter, and although at times the guards will not allow anything to come in from outside except the little given us as rations (which is just enough to starve on), yet at times it is ordered by the Lord, in His fatherly care, that in the gifts sent us by the devout we have more than we could desire.

Above all, suffering for the love of God, and the expectation of the happy fortune that may befall us, makes it all easy to us and hardships a source of joy.

I am most content with the favors received, and, although I fear that because of my sins--because I have not worked in this vineyard as I should have done, and because of my great ingratitude for the many mercies that the Lord has bestowed upon me--I have been driven from Japon as useless, still I console myself that I have come to be manacled and imprisoned in the service of God, which is no small mercy.

I also trust that His Divine Majesty, who in awarding these crowns sometimes does not consider the merits of men, but in His infinite mercy bestows them generously, will consider it right to reward this poor beggar as well as these holy religious that deserve more than I.I beg that your Reverence, _in visceribus Iesu Christi_, will help me to give due thanks to the Lord, _quod dignus factus sim pro nomine Iesu contumeliam pati_, [13] and to obtain for me my profession for this novitiate with holy sacrifices, etc.