To my respected brother in the faith, Master of the Knight Order, greetings and prayers...
[Harshly crossed out]
To my friend, a self-proclaimed man of faith:
I was glad to hear you had reached the land entrusted to you by the Heavenly Father. Once, we fought side by side on the battlefield. Now we walked somewhat different paths, each in a different place, and exchanging letters was inconvenient. The joys and sorrows of worldly partings and reunions never failed to stir deep feelings.
Though our beliefs differed, as Saint Simon said, "Not every builder lays the same foundation, yet whatever its stones may be, the pillars ultimately work together to support the Heavenly Father's dwelling among mankind."
Having taken up this position, you inevitably bear the responsibilities that come with it. I hope that, while devoting yourself to the study of medicine, you will not forget to clean the altar and the Holy Emblem.
Ordinary people cannot distinguish faith from its symbols. If the leader does not pray, the congregation will think God has abandoned them, and they will begin to fear. When the Gospel no longer echoes through the monastery halls, the support faith once provided can instead become the heaviest burden.
You pass before the altar without making the sign of the Holy Emblem, and when you speak, you talk of mechanisms rather than the Holy Spirit. This is no small matter.
What difference is there between a religious order that has lost its soul, a monastery forsaken by its faithful, and a band of mercenaries occupying a castle?
I do not write this to demand that you sincerely convert to the Lord—that is a private matter between you and the Supreme Will—but the influence of your every word and action will be magnified by your position, then