Quote from Letter 5,5 to Sabinian, deacon in Contantinople. September 594.
But I myself sent letters to him [the apostate Maximus], after I found out that he had been consecrated contrary to reason and contrary to what was customary, telling him not to presume to celebrate solemn Mass, until I first found out from my most serene Lordship what order he had given about his person.
When my letters were read out in public and posted in the city, he had them publicly torn up, and openly stood out with his contempt for the apostolic see.
You know how I would put up with this, I who before was ready to die rather than have the Church of Saint Peter degenerate in my time. You are well aware of my character, knowing that I would put up with things for a long time, but once I have decided not to put up with things, I am happy to meet all dangers. It is necessary, therefore, for one to face danger with the help of God, so that one is not forced to sin through excess.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 326
Thursday 22 March 2012
Sunday 18 March 2012
Lapse in Faith
Quote from Letter 5,5 to Venantius, bishop of Luni, September 594.
For it has come to our attention that, after being removed from his priestly order because of his sinful lapse in faith, he [Saturninus] has presumed to return to carrying out his priestly ministry, and offering the body of Christ to almighty God, If your Fraternity finds that this is what has happened, you must deprive him of the holy body and blood of our Lord and force him to penitence, in such a way that right up to the day of his death he remains in the same state of excommunication, and receives his last rites only at the time of his demise.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II:325
For it has come to our attention that, after being removed from his priestly order because of his sinful lapse in faith, he [Saturninus] has presumed to return to carrying out his priestly ministry, and offering the body of Christ to almighty God, If your Fraternity finds that this is what has happened, you must deprive him of the holy body and blood of our Lord and force him to penitence, in such a way that right up to the day of his death he remains in the same state of excommunication, and receives his last rites only at the time of his demise.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II:325
Friday 16 March 2012
Negligence
Quote from Letter 5,4 to Victor, bishop op Palermo. September 594.
No reason at all allowed the bearer of this Letter, Gregory, once abbot and priest of the monastery of Saint Theodore, to have the right to be in charge of the place any longer, following the almost total lapse by that community.
For one who has led so many disciples to Hell through his negligence ought not to be put in charge of those left at any time. But because here in Rome there is a long period of penitential suffering, it is necessary for your Fraternity to receive him in the aforesaid monastery and to appoint him to his position, but in such a way that Urbicus, put in charge of my monastery, ought to provide someone from the servants of God to become his supervisor, so that what is neglected by the lack of care by that man, may be preserved through the concern of this appointee.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 325
No reason at all allowed the bearer of this Letter, Gregory, once abbot and priest of the monastery of Saint Theodore, to have the right to be in charge of the place any longer, following the almost total lapse by that community.
For one who has led so many disciples to Hell through his negligence ought not to be put in charge of those left at any time. But because here in Rome there is a long period of penitential suffering, it is necessary for your Fraternity to receive him in the aforesaid monastery and to appoint him to his position, but in such a way that Urbicus, put in charge of my monastery, ought to provide someone from the servants of God to become his supervisor, so that what is neglected by the lack of care by that man, may be preserved through the concern of this appointee.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 325
Sunday 11 March 2012
Against Heretics
Quote from Letter 5,3 to Dominic, bishop of Carthage. September 594
(A)nd we would all want heretics always to be suppressed by Catholic priests with vigor and logic, nevertheless, as we look into it in more detail, we are entirely concerned that an offense should nog be created (Heaven forbid!) through the things which were done among you by the primates of other councils. For at the conclusion of your activities, you brought forward a decision, in which you advised them about tracking down heretics, but at the same time you added a rider that those who neglect to do so myst be punished with a loss of possessions and honors.
It is best therefore, dearest brother, that in these external matters needing correction, internal charity should first be preserved, and in our minds we should be subject even to persons of lower rank, which we judge the special quality of your Gravity. For then, with all your forces united, you will then meet the errors of the heretics more successfully, as you follow the custom of your priesthood and apply yourself to the protection of Church harmony among your fellow priests.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 324
(A)nd we would all want heretics always to be suppressed by Catholic priests with vigor and logic, nevertheless, as we look into it in more detail, we are entirely concerned that an offense should nog be created (Heaven forbid!) through the things which were done among you by the primates of other councils. For at the conclusion of your activities, you brought forward a decision, in which you advised them about tracking down heretics, but at the same time you added a rider that those who neglect to do so myst be punished with a loss of possessions and honors.
It is best therefore, dearest brother, that in these external matters needing correction, internal charity should first be preserved, and in our minds we should be subject even to persons of lower rank, which we judge the special quality of your Gravity. For then, with all your forces united, you will then meet the errors of the heretics more successfully, as you follow the custom of your priesthood and apply yourself to the protection of Church harmony among your fellow priests.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 324
Thursday 8 March 2012
A New Oratory
Quote from Letter to Bishop Felix and Abbot Cyriacus. September 594.
The tenor of the report submitted to you explains adequately the complaint of Theodosia, a religious woman, in which we read a good many major charges against your brother and fellow-bishop Januarius, and ones not befitting the clemency of a priest, in such a way that after she had founded a monastery for the monks, everything pertaining to avarice, disturbance and prejudice is said to have been shown at the time of the actual dedication of the oratory (...). (Thus) after you have settled the venerable place itself in a decent and regular manner, with the Lord's help, we may neither be shaken by the frequent complaint of the aforesaid religious woman over the non-fulfillment of her good desires, nor may it be detrimental to your soul, if such a pious proposal should be languishing through some delay, due to your negligence.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 323
The tenor of the report submitted to you explains adequately the complaint of Theodosia, a religious woman, in which we read a good many major charges against your brother and fellow-bishop Januarius, and ones not befitting the clemency of a priest, in such a way that after she had founded a monastery for the monks, everything pertaining to avarice, disturbance and prejudice is said to have been shown at the time of the actual dedication of the oratory (...). (Thus) after you have settled the venerable place itself in a decent and regular manner, with the Lord's help, we may neither be shaken by the frequent complaint of the aforesaid religious woman over the non-fulfillment of her good desires, nor may it be detrimental to your soul, if such a pious proposal should be languishing through some delay, due to your negligence.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 323
Wednesday 7 March 2012
Vanity of Clerics
Quote from Letter 5,1 to John, bishop of Ravenna. September 594.
It has come to my attention that, in your Fraternity's church, some places consecrated long ago for monasteries have been turned into dwelling-places for clerics, or even for members of the laity. For while those who are in the churches pretend that they are living in a religious manner, they strive to be put in charge of the monasteries, and through their way of life the monasteries are being destroyed. For nobody can both do service to ecclesiastical obedience and persist also in the monastic rule in due manner (...). And so let your Fraternity be quick to correct this habit, wherever it has occurred. For I do not put up in any way with sacred places being destroyed through the vanity of clerics.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 323
It has come to my attention that, in your Fraternity's church, some places consecrated long ago for monasteries have been turned into dwelling-places for clerics, or even for members of the laity. For while those who are in the churches pretend that they are living in a religious manner, they strive to be put in charge of the monasteries, and through their way of life the monasteries are being destroyed. For nobody can both do service to ecclesiastical obedience and persist also in the monastic rule in due manner (...). And so let your Fraternity be quick to correct this habit, wherever it has occurred. For I do not put up in any way with sacred places being destroyed through the vanity of clerics.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II: 323
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Pilgrims with the Body and in the Heart
Quote from Letter 4,44 to Rusticiana, patrician. August 594.
On receiving your Excellency's letter, I was glad to hear how you had reached Mount Sinai. Believe me, I too should have gone with you, but by no means to have returned with you. And yet, it is extremely difficult for me to believe that you have visited holy places, and have seen many Fathers. For, I believe that if you had seen them, you could not have returned to the city of Constantinopel so quickly. Rather, as the love of such a fine city by no means left your heart, I suspect that your Excellency paid little attention in your heart to the sacred things that you experienced with your body.
But, may almighty God illuminate your mind with the grace of his piety, and grant you wisdom, and let you know how transient all temporal things are For, while we are saying this, time flies and the Judge is approaching.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:322
On receiving your Excellency's letter, I was glad to hear how you had reached Mount Sinai. Believe me, I too should have gone with you, but by no means to have returned with you. And yet, it is extremely difficult for me to believe that you have visited holy places, and have seen many Fathers. For, I believe that if you had seen them, you could not have returned to the city of Constantinopel so quickly. Rather, as the love of such a fine city by no means left your heart, I suspect that your Excellency paid little attention in your heart to the sacred things that you experienced with your body.
But, may almighty God illuminate your mind with the grace of his piety, and grant you wisdom, and let you know how transient all temporal things are For, while we are saying this, time flies and the Judge is approaching.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:322
Debet And Credit
Quote from Letter 4,32 to Fantinus, the defender. August 594.
(And) because he owed one hunderd and fifty gold coins, I wanted his [Cosmas, the debtor from Syria] creditors to make some sort of agreement with him. For the law states also that a free man should by no means be held for the sake of a debt, if there were no further items which might be added to the same debt. And so, as he asserts, it is possible for his creditors to consent to eighty gold coins. But because he is asking a lot for them to seek eighty gold coins from a person who has nothing, we have sent over sixty gold coins to you through your notary, so that, when you have careful talks with the same creditors, you may provide an account.
For they cannot hold his son, as they are said to be holding him, according to the laws. And, if it can be done, let them settle for something less than what we have given. And whatever remains of the same sixty gold coins, hand it over to Cosmas himself, so that he can live on it with his son.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 321
(And) because he owed one hunderd and fifty gold coins, I wanted his [Cosmas, the debtor from Syria] creditors to make some sort of agreement with him. For the law states also that a free man should by no means be held for the sake of a debt, if there were no further items which might be added to the same debt. And so, as he asserts, it is possible for his creditors to consent to eighty gold coins. But because he is asking a lot for them to seek eighty gold coins from a person who has nothing, we have sent over sixty gold coins to you through your notary, so that, when you have careful talks with the same creditors, you may provide an account.
For they cannot hold his son, as they are said to be holding him, according to the laws. And, if it can be done, let them settle for something less than what we have given. And whatever remains of the same sixty gold coins, hand it over to Cosmas himself, so that he can live on it with his son.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 321
Saturday 3 March 2012
Shortage Of Clergy
Quote from Letter 4,42 to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. August 594
Since he [bishop Bacauda] mentions that he has neither a priest nor deacons, he has asked that they should be sent over to him, Therefore, wherever your Fraternity discovers them, as indicated by the bearer of this letter, send them over there without delay.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 321
Since he [bishop Bacauda] mentions that he has neither a priest nor deacons, he has asked that they should be sent over to him, Therefore, wherever your Fraternity discovers them, as indicated by the bearer of this letter, send them over there without delay.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 321
Keys of Saint Peter
Quote from Letter 4,41 to Boniface, a magnificent man, of Africa. August 594.
But for your sake, come and present yourself to the abode of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles. And, unless I demonstrate all that I wrote, through a reading, depart with whatever disputation you want. However, I exhort you, while a stretch of life remains, not to allow your soul to be found divided from the Church of the same Saint Peter, to whom the keys of the heavenly kingdom have been entrusted, and the power of bin,ding and releasing has been attributed. Otherwise, if his benefit is despised here, he may close the gateway to life there.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 320
But for your sake, come and present yourself to the abode of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles. And, unless I demonstrate all that I wrote, through a reading, depart with whatever disputation you want. However, I exhort you, while a stretch of life remains, not to allow your soul to be found divided from the Church of the same Saint Peter, to whom the keys of the heavenly kingdom have been entrusted, and the power of bin,ding and releasing has been attributed. Otherwise, if his benefit is despised here, he may close the gateway to life there.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 320
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
