Quote from Letter 4,29 to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari on Sardinia. June 594.
But we have now learnt that, through the lack of priests, some pagans remain there, living like wild animals, still totally ignorant of the worship of God. We exhort your Fraternity therefore to make haste to consecrate a bishop there, according to the old custom, but such a person of course who is apt for this work in his morality and speech, and who would be keen to lead his wandering sheep to the Lord's flock, with pastoral emulation.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 309
Monday, 30 January 2012
Sunday, 29 January 2012
A Helping Hand
Quote from Letter 4,28 to Candidus, defender. June 594.
It is fitting that pontifical assistance should be available for those who suffer need. With regard to this matter, we instruct your Experience, with the present authority, that without any delay, you do not cease to provide two thirds of a gold coin each year for Albinus, deprived of sight, the son of Martin, a one-time farmer.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 309
It is fitting that pontifical assistance should be available for those who suffer need. With regard to this matter, we instruct your Experience, with the present authority, that without any delay, you do not cease to provide two thirds of a gold coin each year for Albinus, deprived of sight, the son of Martin, a one-time farmer.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 309
Being A Christian
Quote from Letter 4,27 to Hospiton, duke of the Barbaricini. May 594.
Since nobody from your people is a Christian, I know that you are better than all of your people, in that you are found to be a Christian among them. For while all of the Barbaricini live like senseless animals, and know not the true God, worshipping sticks and stones, by the very fact that you worship the true God, you show how much you surpass all the others.
But you will need to prove the faith that you have received with good acts also, and to offer to Christ, in whom you believe, what is in your power. Thus you should bring to him as many people as you van, and have them baptized, warning them to love the eternal life.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 308
Since nobody from your people is a Christian, I know that you are better than all of your people, in that you are found to be a Christian among them. For while all of the Barbaricini live like senseless animals, and know not the true God, worshipping sticks and stones, by the very fact that you worship the true God, you show how much you surpass all the others.
But you will need to prove the faith that you have received with good acts also, and to offer to Christ, in whom you believe, what is in your power. Thus you should bring to him as many people as you van, and have them baptized, warning them to love the eternal life.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 308
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Ordination
Quote from Letter 4,26 to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari. May 594.
Tt has also come to our attention that some who have lapsed from sacred orders are being recalled to the office of their ministry, either after doing penance, or before it. We have totally forbidden this, and in this matter the most sacred canons also declare against this practice.
Therefore, whoever has received a sacred order and has lapsed in carnal sin, must forfeit his sacred order so as to never again approach the ministry of the altar. But so that those who have been ordained should never be lost to the Church, care should be taken as to what sort of people are ordained, so that the first consideration is whether their life was continent over a great many years, and whether they had a passion for prayer and bible reading and a love of almsgiving. An enquiry should also be made in case one of them was perhaps married twice. Care should also be taken that he is not illiterate, and that he is not liable to state service, and forced to return to public employment after taking orders.
And so let your Fraternity carefully inquire into all of these matters.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 307
Tt has also come to our attention that some who have lapsed from sacred orders are being recalled to the office of their ministry, either after doing penance, or before it. We have totally forbidden this, and in this matter the most sacred canons also declare against this practice.
Therefore, whoever has received a sacred order and has lapsed in carnal sin, must forfeit his sacred order so as to never again approach the ministry of the altar. But so that those who have been ordained should never be lost to the Church, care should be taken as to what sort of people are ordained, so that the first consideration is whether their life was continent over a great many years, and whether they had a passion for prayer and bible reading and a love of almsgiving. An enquiry should also be made in case one of them was perhaps married twice. Care should also be taken that he is not illiterate, and that he is not liable to state service, and forced to return to public employment after taking orders.
And so let your Fraternity carefully inquire into all of these matters.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 307
Monday, 23 January 2012
Praise
Quote from Letter 4,25 to Zabardas, duke of Sardina. may 594
We offer great thanks to almighty God, because He has such a fine duke, who knows to pay to the republic what are earthly products, so as to know well also to show to almighty God his obedience towards the heavenly kingdom. For indeed they have written to me that you are arranging to make peace with the Barbaricini, on the condition that you bring the same Barbaricini to the service of Christ.
Concerning this matter, I am extremely happy. Should it pleases almighty God, I shall very quickly report your good deeds to our serene emperor.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 306
We offer great thanks to almighty God, because He has such a fine duke, who knows to pay to the republic what are earthly products, so as to know well also to show to almighty God his obedience towards the heavenly kingdom. For indeed they have written to me that you are arranging to make peace with the Barbaricini, on the condition that you bring the same Barbaricini to the service of Christ.
Concerning this matter, I am extremely happy. Should it pleases almighty God, I shall very quickly report your good deeds to our serene emperor.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 306
The Disease Of Sins
Quote from Letter 4,24 to Januarius, bishop of Sardina. May 594
As for the cleric Paul, he is said to have been discovered sinning on many occasions and, despising his habit, he has reverted to life as a layman and has fled to Africa. If that is so, once he has first suffered corporeal punishments, we order him to be handed over for penance.
Thus, in accordance with the apostolic sentence, his spirit may be saved through carnal affliction and with a continuous flow of tears he can wash away the earthly disease of sins, which he is said to have contracted through wicked deeds.
But let no religious person be associated with those who have been suspended from ecclesiastical communion, in accordance with the rules of the canons.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 305
As for the cleric Paul, he is said to have been discovered sinning on many occasions and, despising his habit, he has reverted to life as a layman and has fled to Africa. If that is so, once he has first suffered corporeal punishments, we order him to be handed over for penance.
Thus, in accordance with the apostolic sentence, his spirit may be saved through carnal affliction and with a continuous flow of tears he can wash away the earthly disease of sins, which he is said to have contracted through wicked deeds.
But let no religious person be associated with those who have been suspended from ecclesiastical communion, in accordance with the rules of the canons.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 305
Idolatry
Quote from Letter 4,23 - to the nobles and landowners living on the island of Sardinia. May 594
I suggest that you should with all care and all concern be full of zeal over your souls, and consider what accounts you will render to almighty God of your subjects. For they have been entrusted to you for this purpose, that they might serve your advantage in earthly things, and that you also, through your care of them, might provide for their souls those things which are eternal.
Therefore, if they pay what they owe, why do you not pay what you owe to them? That is, your Greatness should warn them assiduously, and restrain them from the error of idolatry, so that, by leading them back to the faith, you may make almighty God amenable towards yourselves. For look, you see how near the end is closing on this world. You see that now a human sword, and now a divine one threatens us. And yet you worshippers of a true God, do you watch the worship of stones by those entrusted to you, and keep silent?
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 304
I suggest that you should with all care and all concern be full of zeal over your souls, and consider what accounts you will render to almighty God of your subjects. For they have been entrusted to you for this purpose, that they might serve your advantage in earthly things, and that you also, through your care of them, might provide for their souls those things which are eternal.
Therefore, if they pay what they owe, why do you not pay what you owe to them? That is, your Greatness should warn them assiduously, and restrain them from the error of idolatry, so that, by leading them back to the faith, you may make almighty God amenable towards yourselves. For look, you see how near the end is closing on this world. You see that now a human sword, and now a divine one threatens us. And yet you worshippers of a true God, do you watch the worship of stones by those entrusted to you, and keep silent?
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 304
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