SS Peter and Paul

Quote from Letter 9.126 to the ex-prefect Gregory. February-April 599

Knowing what great affection remains in the mind of your Glory towards the churches of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (...) we do not doubt that your Glory wants to assist without even being asked (...) We have ordered our sub0deacon, Sabinus, to hurry meanwhile to cut up as many as twenty beams, and hail them to the sea.
And saluting you with paternal affection, we ask that your Glory, from the possessions that you have there for rental farming, make some men offer support with their oxen in this matter.
Therefore, we trust in you so much, as we have said, that we offer thanks to you, glorious son. May you have the blessing of the princes of the apostles as your helpers in all things, in return for the love and devotion that you show to their churches.

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

Law and Justice

Quote from Letter 9.120 to Fantinus, defender. February-April 599

Let your experience was our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop, Victor, preserving your honor, that he is either keen to terminate the case itself peacefully, without delay, or certainly, if he believes that it is more expedient for him that it be decided in court, he should legally appoint a person on his behalf, avoiding any delay (...). And whatever will have been decided by them [the judges], with the holy gospels as their witness, we want to be made effective through your authority, preserving the law, in such a way that nothing remains between the two parties whereby they could wear each other out afterwards with recurring litigation.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 614

Reuniting Husband and Wife

Quote from Letter 9.118 to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna. February-April 599

John, our most glorious son and prefect of this city, sent you the bearer of this letter (...) for the express purpose of escorting his glorious wife here, with God's protection. We are also now longing her to arrive here, so that we can have our most glorious aforesaid son not torn apart, but whole again. Let your Fraternity, therefore, take care that nothing stops her from coming (...).

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 614

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