Letter 3,34 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. April 593
"For that reason we instruct your Experience to meet them with a peaceful exhortation, so that if by chance there are any reasons for hatred, you may settle them, reconciling them with affection that is mutual and pleasing to God, so that the bishop contributes what is proper for his sons, and they show what is due to a father."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 258.
Thursday 23 June 2011
Peter's Relic
Letter 3,33 - to Dynamius, patrician of Gaul. April 593
"For indeed it is proper for the glorious people of this world, who think about eternal glory, to act in this way, so that, because they prevail temporally, they may acquire a reward for themselves which is not temporal.
Accordingly, offering due words of greeting, we pray our almighty Lord to both fill your life with good things at present, ant to extend them as to the sublime joys of eternity. For we have received through our son Hilary from the aforesaid returns of our Church four hundred Gallic gold coins.
But we have sent over a sacred object of Saint Peter the apostle, a very small cross, into which relics have been inserted from Peter's chains, which had in fact bound him in his day, but should forever free your neck from sin."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 257.
"For indeed it is proper for the glorious people of this world, who think about eternal glory, to act in this way, so that, because they prevail temporally, they may acquire a reward for themselves which is not temporal.
Accordingly, offering due words of greeting, we pray our almighty Lord to both fill your life with good things at present, ant to extend them as to the sublime joys of eternity. For we have received through our son Hilary from the aforesaid returns of our Church four hundred Gallic gold coins.
But we have sent over a sacred object of Saint Peter the apostle, a very small cross, into which relics have been inserted from Peter's chains, which had in fact bound him in his day, but should forever free your neck from sin."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 257.
Against False Charges
Letter 3,32 - to Honoratus, archdeacon of the church of Salona. April 593
"We therefore consider it necessary to confirm once again with these present words those same orders, coming as much from our predecessor as from us, which we sent there some time ago for your absolution, as has been stated. Wherefore absolving you more fully from all charges brought against you, we want you to remain in the rank of your order without any altercation, so that an inquiry moved against you by the aforesaid man [i.e. his opponent, his late bishop Natalis] may not prejudice you at all.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 256.
"We therefore consider it necessary to confirm once again with these present words those same orders, coming as much from our predecessor as from us, which we sent there some time ago for your absolution, as has been stated. Wherefore absolving you more fully from all charges brought against you, we want you to remain in the rank of your order without any altercation, so that an inquiry moved against you by the aforesaid man [i.e. his opponent, his late bishop Natalis] may not prejudice you at all.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 256.
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Support And Care
Letter 3,31 - to Romanus, patrician and exarch of Italy. April 593.
"Therefore we pay with paternal affection the debt of a greeting which we owe, and we request that, whether the aforesaid Constantius shall have been consecrated bishop or not, your Excellency may agree to provide him with your support where it is necessary, with the favor of justice.
Thus this service may both exalt you here among your enemies, and for your future life may commend you before God, in anticipation. For he is very special to me and we have long shared a great friendship. And those whom you recognize as friends, you ought to considers as yours particularly."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 256.
"Therefore we pay with paternal affection the debt of a greeting which we owe, and we request that, whether the aforesaid Constantius shall have been consecrated bishop or not, your Excellency may agree to provide him with your support where it is necessary, with the favor of justice.
Thus this service may both exalt you here among your enemies, and for your future life may commend you before God, in anticipation. For he is very special to me and we have long shared a great friendship. And those whom you recognize as friends, you ought to considers as yours particularly."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 256.
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Carefully Follow The Rules
Letter 3,30 - to John, sub-deacon. April 593
"With the death, therefore, of Laurence, bishop of the church of Milan, the clergy gave notice in their report to us that they had agreed unanimously in the election of our son Constantius, their deacon. But since the same report was not signed, to prevent us from overlooking anything that concerns security, it is therefore necessary for you to set out for Genoa, supported by the authority of this command. And because many of the inhabitants of Milan have settled there, forced by barbaric savagery, you should call them together and carefully consider their wishes.
And if no discord keeps them from agreement over the election, once you find that the wishes and consensus of all stay firm concerning our son, the above-mentioned Constantius, then you can have him consecrated by the local bishops, as the ancient custom demands, with the assent of our authority and the Lord's solace.
Thus with preservation of this sort of custom, the apostolic see may both retain its proper strength and not diminish its own right by allowing others to share them.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 255.
"With the death, therefore, of Laurence, bishop of the church of Milan, the clergy gave notice in their report to us that they had agreed unanimously in the election of our son Constantius, their deacon. But since the same report was not signed, to prevent us from overlooking anything that concerns security, it is therefore necessary for you to set out for Genoa, supported by the authority of this command. And because many of the inhabitants of Milan have settled there, forced by barbaric savagery, you should call them together and carefully consider their wishes.
And if no discord keeps them from agreement over the election, once you find that the wishes and consensus of all stay firm concerning our son, the above-mentioned Constantius, then you can have him consecrated by the local bishops, as the ancient custom demands, with the assent of our authority and the Lord's solace.
Thus with preservation of this sort of custom, the apostolic see may both retain its proper strength and not diminish its own right by allowing others to share them.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 255.
Thursday 16 June 2011
To Long For The Eternal City
Letter 3,29 - to the priests, deacons and clergy of the church of Milan. April 593
"And so I honor all of you who are chosen with my prayer that almighty God, who is always prescient of out future acts, may provide you with such a bishop in whose eloquence and morality you can find a pasture for divine exhortation. In his mind let humility shine forth with rectitude, and severity with piety, a man who may show you a path of life not only by his eloquence but also by his way of life, so that by his example your Beloved selves may learn to long for the pleasures of the eternal city.
And so, most beloved sons, be reminded of the severity of our office. In this case of electing a bishop, we persuade each of you not to look for his own profit, neglecting the common good, in case if someone seeks his personal advantage, he may be deceived by a frivolous judgement, because his mind, bound by greed, does not examine the person he should prefer with a free judgement.
So considering what is expedient for all, show the purest obedience always and in all things to him whom divine grave has placed in charge of you. For a bishop once elected ought not to be judged by you any further. But he should be judged with as much subtlety now as afterwards he should not be judged at all. Commit yourselves with all your mind to the consecrated bishop, with God's authority, and thereby serve the almighty Lord, who has placed this man over you."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 254.
"And so I honor all of you who are chosen with my prayer that almighty God, who is always prescient of out future acts, may provide you with such a bishop in whose eloquence and morality you can find a pasture for divine exhortation. In his mind let humility shine forth with rectitude, and severity with piety, a man who may show you a path of life not only by his eloquence but also by his way of life, so that by his example your Beloved selves may learn to long for the pleasures of the eternal city.
And so, most beloved sons, be reminded of the severity of our office. In this case of electing a bishop, we persuade each of you not to look for his own profit, neglecting the common good, in case if someone seeks his personal advantage, he may be deceived by a frivolous judgement, because his mind, bound by greed, does not examine the person he should prefer with a free judgement.
So considering what is expedient for all, show the purest obedience always and in all things to him whom divine grave has placed in charge of you. For a bishop once elected ought not to be judged by you any further. But he should be judged with as much subtlety now as afterwards he should not be judged at all. Commit yourselves with all your mind to the consecrated bishop, with God's authority, and thereby serve the almighty Lord, who has placed this man over you."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 254.
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Protection And Moderation
Letter 3,28 - to George, praetorian prefect through Italy. April 593
"Whenever piety is employed with compassion and consideration, it both helps its author here and brings him a reward on the day of retribution. And this is so, and since I greatly admire your Excellency, I suggest reasons for a reward to you.
Thus the magnificent Armenius, son of that once most illustrious gentleman, Aptonius, due to his real indigence, forced me to write to you on his behalf. Since he has been bereaved of both parents, as you know, he expects the protection and moderation of your Eminence. So let your Piety show pious consideration, as has been your custom, by providing him with a position and public duties, as far as you see it as useful, whereby he may be maintained with daily payments."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 253.
"Whenever piety is employed with compassion and consideration, it both helps its author here and brings him a reward on the day of retribution. And this is so, and since I greatly admire your Excellency, I suggest reasons for a reward to you.
Thus the magnificent Armenius, son of that once most illustrious gentleman, Aptonius, due to his real indigence, forced me to write to you on his behalf. Since he has been bereaved of both parents, as you know, he expects the protection and moderation of your Eminence. So let your Piety show pious consideration, as has been your custom, by providing him with a position and public duties, as far as you see it as useful, whereby he may be maintained with daily payments."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 253.
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Letter 3,27 - to Martinianus, abbot of Palermo, and to Benenatus, notary and administrator of the district of Palermo. April 594
"If we put off pursuing and punishing those matters about which God is bitterly offended, we certainly provoke the patience of his divinity to anger. For many evil facts about certain people living in the city of Palermo have reached our ears, and as they deserve greater chastisement, they should neither be believed rashly nor searched for idly. For which reason, we ordered Victor, out brother and fellow-bishop, that if they were true he should have pursued and punished them.
Now therefore Boniface, a most distinguished gentleman and bearer of this letter, has come to us here and complains that he has both been deprived of the sacred Mass for no reason, and has suffered other serious injustices, all due to the aforesaid bishop. Since therefore nobody should be condemned without a trail, we have written to our same brother and fellow-bishop that if a person is found who can say these same things about the same man, he ought to direct that person to our inquiry.
And so we thought that you should necessarily be exhorted by the page of this command, so that, paying attention to nobody's personality, but having the fear of God before your eyes, in all fairness you should inquire with a careful investigation whether anything was said about him in your presence, remembering the judgment to come."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 252.
"If we put off pursuing and punishing those matters about which God is bitterly offended, we certainly provoke the patience of his divinity to anger. For many evil facts about certain people living in the city of Palermo have reached our ears, and as they deserve greater chastisement, they should neither be believed rashly nor searched for idly. For which reason, we ordered Victor, out brother and fellow-bishop, that if they were true he should have pursued and punished them.
Now therefore Boniface, a most distinguished gentleman and bearer of this letter, has come to us here and complains that he has both been deprived of the sacred Mass for no reason, and has suffered other serious injustices, all due to the aforesaid bishop. Since therefore nobody should be condemned without a trail, we have written to our same brother and fellow-bishop that if a person is found who can say these same things about the same man, he ought to direct that person to our inquiry.
And so we thought that you should necessarily be exhorted by the page of this command, so that, paying attention to nobody's personality, but having the fear of God before your eyes, in all fairness you should inquire with a careful investigation whether anything was said about him in your presence, remembering the judgment to come."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 252.
Saturday 11 June 2011
Consensus
Letter 3,26 - to Magnus, priest fo the church of Milan. March 593
"So warn your clerics and people not to disagree at all in their election of a bishop, but with total consensus let them elect from themselves such a bishop for consecration whose acts are praiseworthy, and whose character may be welcome to God and to men, in case, if it were done differently, with divided loyalties (Heaven forbid!), a loss might result for Church income."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 252.
"So warn your clerics and people not to disagree at all in their election of a bishop, but with total consensus let them elect from themselves such a bishop for consecration whose acts are praiseworthy, and whose character may be welcome to God and to men, in case, if it were done differently, with divided loyalties (Heaven forbid!), a loss might result for Church income."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 252.
A Reprimande
Letter 3,25 - to all the inhabitants of Rimini. March 593
"My dearly beloved sons, if you are willing to pay more careful attention to your sin, you should purge yourselves with constant prayers before God, because you took on your bishop not with devoted minds, nor as his sons.
The lack of peace and annoyances that you inflicted on him have brought him to this extreme, an attack of bodily illness. And yet we learnt nothing about him from those letters that were written to us, but we simply saw that he was debilitated, and for that reason we took care to keep him here."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.
"My dearly beloved sons, if you are willing to pay more careful attention to your sin, you should purge yourselves with constant prayers before God, because you took on your bishop not with devoted minds, nor as his sons.
The lack of peace and annoyances that you inflicted on him have brought him to this extreme, an attack of bodily illness. And yet we learnt nothing about him from those letters that were written to us, but we simply saw that he was debilitated, and for that reason we took care to keep him here."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.
Thursday 9 June 2011
Letter 3,24 - to Bishop Leontius. March 593
"We are keeping our brother and fellow-bishop Castor here, because of his body's ill health. And because he is not well enough now to return to his church, for that reason, in his absence, we have decided that the task of that church's visitation should be delegated to your Fraternity.
We advise your Charity to carry out all of its services so efficiently that through your presence, the church does not feel that its own priest is absent.
And whatever you think should be consecrated for the advantage of the same church, you will have free scope in every way, relying on our permission."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.
"We are keeping our brother and fellow-bishop Castor here, because of his body's ill health. And because he is not well enough now to return to his church, for that reason, in his absence, we have decided that the task of that church's visitation should be delegated to your Fraternity.
We advise your Charity to carry out all of its services so efficiently that through your presence, the church does not feel that its own priest is absent.
And whatever you think should be consecrated for the advantage of the same church, you will have free scope in every way, relying on our permission."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.
The Abbot Of Saint Martin's
Letter 3,23 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. March 593
"We therefore order your Experience with the the power of this authority to remove the above-mentioned Secundinus from the office of abbot, and to see that Theodosius, whose community has itself asked for him to be ordained, is appointed abbot in the monastery of Saint Martin, with due solemnity, through him whom it concerns.
Thus in caring for a community subject to him, with the help of God, he may be vigilant with provident concern. But defend the possessions and gardens of this same monastery with Church protection, as fat as is reasonably allowed."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.
"We therefore order your Experience with the the power of this authority to remove the above-mentioned Secundinus from the office of abbot, and to see that Theodosius, whose community has itself asked for him to be ordained, is appointed abbot in the monastery of Saint Martin, with due solemnity, through him whom it concerns.
Thus in caring for a community subject to him, with the help of God, he may be vigilant with provident concern. But defend the possessions and gardens of this same monastery with Church protection, as fat as is reasonably allowed."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.
Wednesday 8 June 2011
Home Sweet Home
I was in Rome lately, and of course visited "home" on the Caelius. Just two pictures: a detail of the Chapel of Silvia in Saint Andrew and the high-altar in the Gregorio Magno.
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