A New Abbess

Quote from Letter 9.115 to Venantius, bishop of Luni. February-April 599

(W)e have decided that a nun should be sent over for you to install as abbess, under God's protection. We think that, with the help of heavenly mercy, she can manage the strenuous regime of the same convent. For in this we have come to Him alone in prayer. And so, because we have sent over the nun mentioned above, as you requested, and our letter for your good-will, we suggest that your Fraternity should take care of her and her convent, and with the goodness of your encouragement, should strengthen the community living there, in its servitude to jesus, our God and Redeemer.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 612

Rule

Quote from Letter 9.111 to Romanus, defender, Fantinus, defender, Sabinus, sub-deacon, Hadrian, notary, Eugene, notary, Felix, sub-deacon, Sergius, defender, Boniface, defender, equally, and to the protectors of the patrimony. February 599

Thus the caution of this learned man [Possidius] ought to be a major lesson to us. For it is a sign of incautious presumption for a weaker man not to fear what a brave man fears. For he wisely overcomes illegal acts, when he has learnt not to make use of even those that arre allowed. And indeed, we bind no one to this against his will, but just as doctors usually do, although the cure is bitter at the time, yet we recommend it to restore health. And for that reason, we do not make it necessary, but we leave it to their decision, should they choose to imitate this learned and saintly man. 
Therefore, let your Experience apply zeal and concern so that what we have asked to be prohibited should be observed.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 609

Caritas and wisdom

Quote from Letter 9.109 to Anthelm, sub-deacon. February 599

(And) he laments that consequently he is subjected to greater need and more desperation, and for that reason he seeks to be supported with some assistance. Therefore, if this is so, let your Experience be keen to take action before our aforesaid magnificent son, together with our most reverend brother and fellow bishop, fortunatus, and our glorious son, Maurentius, as we ourselves have written. See that in this matter, as is fitting for a Christian and noble man, he should be kind rather than inflexible, compassionate rather than strict, and should not expect profit from another's loss, be be content having received the principal of his loan. And so, whatever he might concede to the poor man, almighty God might pay back to him with an increased return just as promised.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 608

Material of Perdition

Quote from Letter 9.108 to Chrysantus, bishop of Spoleto. February 599


Since it is the nature of discipline to prohibit men from illegal acts and to remove sins for one's benefit, the severity of discipline should be keenly preserved.
For if it is neglected, then everything becomes confused, when one destroys what another builds up and protects.
Thus, the priest Valentinus has complained to us that, if a monk of that monastery is deprived of communion due to his sinfulness, he can move to your district and receive communion without any reservation.
But if that is how things are, not only is law and order being undermined, but also from this the material of perdition is supplied. It is necessary, therefore, for you to ban the priests who are under you, strictly and quite carefully, from presuming to do this from now on.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 607

Grain Supplies

Quote from Letter 9.107 to Romanus, defender. February 599

we believe that it is not unknown to your Experience what sort of necessity various officials of the palace of the city of Rome are enduring over their grain supply. And so, the bearers of this letter have chosen to send them all over there, instead of themselves, to plead at the palace of our glorious Leontius, as to how that grain might be supplied to them, as it has been provided by our most serene emperor.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 607

Slaves, Service, Duties

Quote from Letter 9.105 to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. February 599

furthermore, it has been announced to us that the aforesaid Basil wishes to grant his sons some slaves, who by the grace of God are Christians, on a title of donation, so that they serve him under the following pretext: that they should cease to call him 'master', and if they subsequently believe that they should perhaps take refuge in the Church, so that they might become Christian, they should pass not into total freedom, but into the control of the sons to whom they were given before. In this matter, it is appropriate for your Fraternity to watch over things properly. And if Basil wants to give some slaves to his sons, let them become completely Christian and not remain in his home, so that  every change of trickery is removed. But whenever the situation demands that they must do service to him, they must be ordered to provide this for him, as his own sons must also do. And this kind of service should be shown for the sake of God.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 605