Pastoral Care

Quote from Letter 5,17 to Venantius, bishop of Luni. November 594


And so let your Fraternity look after what has been entrusted to you with vigilant care. With your preaching you must save them from their evil deeds, as you are able to do, so that you are found both to fulfill the purpose of your office and to make God be there so recompense you for your actions. But we are extremely keen to see you and to rejoice in God over your presence here and your safety. We have sent a vestment for the woman who needs to be baptized, and we pray that you always write to us about such things.
We have also directed that those bearing this letter should hand over a copy of our Pastoral Care to the noble priest, Columban. You are not to keep it for yourself, for we are sending over another copy as quickly as possible, for you to use.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II,