We find that many of the Jews want to be converted to the Christian faith, inspired by divine grace (...). We order you to give up every excuse and to go to the aforesaid place [Agrigento], and quickly assist their desire with your encouragement and the favor of God.
But if it seems a long time or gloomy for them to wait for the solemnity of Easter, and you know that they are in a hurry to be baptized now, so that a long delay (Heaven forbid!), is not able to change their minds again, speak with our brother, the bishop of the place itself.
And so, when penitence and abstinence have been prescribed for forty days, they should be baptized, protected by the compassion of almighty God, either on a Sunday or if a much celebrated festival should occur.
For the nature of these times also, because of the destruction that is rampant, forces us not to put off their desires with any delay. However, for any of them whom you know are poor, and cannot afford to purchase a vestment for themselves, we want you to purchase and provide a vestment, for them to have at their baptism.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 518
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