116. To The Monks Of Bec.
The Letters of St. Anselm 771
116. TO THE MONKS OF BEC.
On landing in England Anselm informs his community at Bee of the success of his journey up to then.
TO HIS DEAREST AND MOST LONGED-FOR FELLOW-MONKS, THE
SERVANTS OF GOD LIVING AT BEC: THEIR SERVANT, BROTHER
ANSELM, WISHING THAT THEY MAY ADVANCE FROM VIRTUE TO
VIRTUE THAT THEY MAY DESERVE TO LOOK UPON THE GOD OF
GODS IN SION.1
SHORTLY AFTER I DISEMBARKED on English soil on Sunday in the middle of Lent, at the third hour,21 dictated this letter to gladden your love about the success of our voyage. For, after I left you, the grace of God having smiled on your prayers, everything on land and at sea went well and honorably, far beyond my expectations, for me and those who were with me. Therefore I pray, that, just as you have done till now, so you should continue supporting our journey abroad by praying; but I pray much more that you may gladden our return by having lived a good life.
March 1086.
NOTES 1. Ps 83:8.
2. See Epp 108 and 115-121.