18 Dec mid-December 1944

To Franz von Tattenbach SJ

L.T.,

Delp in earlier days

Thanks for everything.  It’s going to be just fine.  We’ve simply fallen off the mountain and the miracle is going to reveal itself in the hundred efforts we make to succeed….Even though I sometimes have good moments and sometimes bitter moments, I’ve never yet doubted the outcome itself.  Apart from all the good signs of consolation and guidance, God has been challenged a few times not to be silent in the whole matter.

This new virtue of unshakeability still takes effort….And I’ve completely made up for some of the failures from the novitiate and tertianship.

Franz von Tattenbach SJ

The Sperr problem is crazy.  We must manage to reach the old man.  Perhaps then he’ll actually wake up again.  I know myself from the first 10 weeks how deadly isolation is….Just keep trusting with me and everything will be fine.  You’ll see, in the night there’ll be light.  As far as you can, keep working on the Sperr problem….But who knows about anything here?….

All the best, and God reward you many times over.  And I hope I won’t need to repay you this particular devotedness.  Good-bye.

G.