Christ the Foundation

Quote from Letter 9.136 to Anastasius, of Antioch. April 599

I received the letter of your Fraternity that rightly preserves a confession of true faith, and I offered get thanks to almighty God, as He preserves without change the faith that was once handed down to the holy fathers, even when the shepherd of this flock changed.
But the outstanding preacher says: 'No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ' [1 Cor 3:11]. Whoever, therefore, holds firm to the faith with its love for God and neighbor, which is in Christ, has as the foundation of his home the same Jesus Christ, the son of God and of man. 
Therefore, one must hope that where Christ is the foundation, a building will result that is also based on good works

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 622.

Presiding Justice

Quote from Letter 9.135 to Paulinus, bishop of Taurum, Proculus, bishop of Nicotera, Palumbus, bishop of Cosenza, Venerius, bishop of Vibona and Marcian, bishop of Lorci. April 599

And for that reason, by the holy evangelists, your Fraternity should reside with our sub-deacon, Sabinus, and as is suitable for the office of priest, carefully examine without favoring any person at all and with all fairness and concern, both the complaint that the clergy have against their bishop, as I told you, or any possible complaint he might have against them.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 622.

Plea for Assistance

Quote from Letter 9.134 to Theodore, curator. April 599

(W)e salute you with paternal affection, and ask that you deign to bestow your protection to those bearing this letter, whom the most glorious general, Maurentius, sent over to deal with this request.
Thus, with your patronage, they should not need to suffer any unreasonable delay or trouble there, but whatever is appropriate let the aforesaid most glorious man receive it without difficulty, through the assistance of your Glory, so that he himself might be more devoted to his duty to you, and we might offer thanks for this, as it deserves.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 621.

With a Papal Duty

Quote from Letter 9.133 too Hilary, notary. April 599

You should know that the ship in which Vitalis, the bearer of this letter, is sailing to our most beloved daughter and abbess, Adeodata, to support her convent, has been sent off. When it arrives there, with this authority we command you that you should protect her in all things, and should hasten to lighten and excuse her from every service and burden, especially if it should be a papal duty. 
For as you know, in the same concept such a great community is shown to live, by the grace of God, that we are in a hurry to give comfort and support for it in everything, more than for our own Church.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 621.

Marriage Laws

Quote from Letter 9.129 to Romans, defender. February-April 599

It is well known to your Experience that Peter, whom we have made a defender, as born from a property under the control of our church, which is called Jutelas. And therefore, because we ought to be kind in his case, but so as not to harm the Church's profit, we advise you with this order that you should warn him strictly not to presume to join his sons in marriage anywhere outside, with any sort of cleverness or excuse,  but that they should be married within that estate, where they have been bound under legal stipulation. 

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 618.

Support, Laziness and Piety

Quote from Letter 9.128 to Stephen. February-April 599


And so, let your Fraternity act in such a way that you support him as much as you can. For while it is the fault of the aforesaid sub-deacon, if he proves lazy when you are supporting him, it will be all the more culpable and serious if your Fraternity should want either to excuse yourself under some pretext, or to show a lack of piety, which we do not believe.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 218.

Beams For Churches

Quote from Letter 9.127 to Duke Arogis. February-April 599

(For) we think that you would not allow us to be disappointed at all, especially in such a matter. For your soul will be able to benefit greatly from it. We inform you that we need some beams for the churches of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and for that reason we have given orders to our sub-deacon, Sabinus, that he should cut down some beams from the territory of Calabria, and haul them right down to the sea, to a suitable place. 
And because he lacks support in this matter, we salute your Glory with paternal love, and ask that you request your agents who are in that place to send over men under their control, with their oxen, to assist him. Thus with your support, he might better complete what we have imposed on him. For we promise that, on the completion of the matter, we shall send you a worthy present, which would not be unjust.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 617.