"[only] when I am come thither shall I be truly a [human being]."

"so far as I am concerned, to die in Jesus Christ is better than to be monarch of earth's widest bounds.  He who died for us is all that I seek; He who rose again for us is my whole desire.  The pangs of birth are upon me; have patience with me, my brothers, and do not shut me out from life, do not wish me to be stillborn.  Here is one who only longs to be God's; do not make a present of him to the world again, pure and undefiled; for only when I am come thither shall I be truly a [human being (ἐκεῖ παραγενόμενος ἄνθρωπος ἔσομαι)].  Leave me to imitate the Passion of my God."

     St. Ignatius, Romans 6, trans. Staniforth and Louth, but with modifications taken from John Behr.