chair to be altogether removed thence, and because of your desiring to deposit there relics that henceforth you perform no public masses of the above-named saints. And, seeing that there. But, as both custom and the tenor of we have reverently supplied you with relics of the precept direct, if they should wish mass the Saints Peter and Paul, and also of the to be celebrated for them there, let a presbyter martyrs Laurentius and Pancratius, we exhort be appointed by thee for the purpose 9. you to receive them with reverence, and Further, we desire that with the favour of deposit them with the help of the Lord, God there shall always remain a congregation providing before all things that supplies for of servants of God in the same monastery, the maintenance of those who serve there be as the aforesaid John has requested, and as not wanting. is now the case. As to the cup also which he informs me has been taken away by your Fraternity, if it be so, make haste to restore it. These things, then, let your Holiness so study to fulfil that the aforesaid bearer may have no need to resort to us again on the same account. EPISTLE XLVIII. EPISTLE L. TO QUEEN BRUNICHILD. Gregory to Brunichild, Queen of the Franks. The tenor of your letters, which evinces a religious spirit and the earnestness of a pious mind, causes us not only to commend the purpose of your request, but also to grant willingly what you demand. For indeed it would ill become us to refuse what Christian Whosoever, incited by divine inspiration, devotion and the desire of an upright heart hastens to leave the employments of this world solicits, especially as we know that you demand, and to be converted to God should so be and embrace with your whole heart, what may received with charity, and refreshed in all both protect the faith of believers, and work ways with kind consolations, that, by the help no less the salvation of souls. Accordingly, of God, he may delight in all ways to persevere greeting your Excellency with befitting honour, in the state of life which he has chosen. we inform you that to Leuparic, the bearer of Since, then, Agatho, the bearer of these these presents, through whom we received presents, desires to be converted in thy your communication, and whom you described Love's monastery, we exhort thee to receive as a presbyter, we have handed over, accordhim with all sweetness and love, and by ing to your Excellency's request, with the assi luous exhortation kindle his longing for reverence due to them, certain relics of the eternal life, and study to be diligently solicitous blessed apostles Peter and Paul. But, that for his soul's salvation; to the end that, while laudable and religious devotion may be more by thy admonition he shall persist with devoted and more conspicuous among you, you must mind in the service of our God, it may both see that these benefits of the saints be deposited profit him to have left the world, and his con- with reverence and due honour, and that those version may be to the increase of thine own who serve in attendance on them be vexed reward. Know, however, that he is to be so with no burdens or molestations, lest perreceived only if his wife also should wish to be chance, under the pressure of outward necessimilarly converted. For, when the bodies of sity, they be rendered unprofitable and slow in both have been made one by the tie of wed-the service of God, and (which God forbid) the lock, it is unseemly that part should be converted and part remain in the world. EPISTLE XLIX. TO PALLADIUS, Bishop. Leuparic your presbyter, the bearer of these presents, when he came to us informed us that your Fraternity has built a church in honour of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and also of the martyrs Laurentius and Pancratius, and placed there thirteen altars, of which we learn that four have remained not yet dedicated 9 Cf. II. 41. 1 Conversion has its usual sense of embracing monastic life. 2 See also on this subject, XI. 45, XI. 50. benefits of the saints that have been bestowed sustain injury and neglect. Let, then, your Excellency see to their quiet, to the end that, while they are guarded by your bounty from all disquietude, they may render praises to our God with minds undisturbed, and that reward may also accrue to you in the life eternal. EPISTLE LI. TO THE BRETHREN GOING ΤΟ ENGLAND (Angliam) 3. Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to the servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. 3 This, with the eight following letters (51-59), were com. mitted to Augustine, who is spoken of in several of them as the bearer, when he was sent back trom Rome to rejoin his com you may be the more ready to support him, to make you fully acquainted with the matter he has in hand, knowing that, when it is known to you, you will lend yourselves with entire devotion for God's sake to succour him as the case requires. Since it had been better not to have begun no commendation, yet, since an apt time for what is good than to return back from it writing has offered itself, we have thought well when begun, you must, most beloved sons, to send a letter to your Fraternity, mentioning fulfil the good work which with the help that we have sent into your parts, with the help of the Lord you have begun. Let, then, of the Lord, for the benefit of souls, the servant neither the toil of the journey nor the tongues of God Augustine, of whose earnestness we are of evil-speaking men deter you; but with all assured, with other servants of God. Him instancy and all fervour go on with what under your Holiness must needs assist with priestly God's guidance you have commenced, know- earnestness, and hasten to afford him your ing that great toil is followed by the glory of succour. We have also enjoined him, that so an eternal reward. Obey in all things humbly Augustine your provost (præposito), who is returning to you, whom we also appoint your abbot, knowing that whatever may be fulfilled in you through his admonition will in all ways profit your souls. May Almighty God protect you with His grace, and grant to me to see the fruit of your labour in the eternal country; that so, even though I cannot labour with you, I may be found together with you in the joy of the reward; for in truth I desire to labour. God keep you safe, most beloved sons. Given the tenth day of the Kalends of August, the fourteenth year of the Emperor our lord Mauricius Tiberius, the most pious Augustus, the thirteenth year of the consulship of our said lord, Indiction 14. panions. Bede (H.E. I. 23), and John the deacon (Vit. S. Greg II. 33), say that the missionaries-cum aliquantulum itineris confecissent" (Bede)-"post dies aliquot" (John Diac.)-were deterred by what they had heard of the difficulties of their undertaking, and sent Augustine to Rome to request leave to give it up, and that Gregory sent him back to them with letters of admonition and of commendation. No commendatory letters seem to have been given them when they first set out. Those now sent are addressed to the bishops of Turni (al. Turon.), Marseilles, Arles, Vienne, Autun, and Aix in Provence, to the abbot of Lerins, to Arig us, Patrician of Gaul, to Theodoric and Theodebert, the two boy-kings of Burgundy and Austrasia, and to queen Brunechild their grandmother, who at this time ruled Austrasia as Theodebert's guardian. See Pedigree of Kings of Gaul, The letters which come first in order, 51 and 52, being dated 22 July A.D. 596, we may conclude that the missionaries had been originally despatched in the spring of the same year. They appear to have got as far as the Southern coast of Provence, since the letters to the bishop of Aix and the Abbot of Lerins shew that Augustine had already visited them, addressed. The mission was accompanied by Candidus, sent out as Rector of the patrimony in Gaul (cf. Ep. VII.), who is also commended in the letters. The patrimony appears to have been attended to previously in a way not sati-factory to Gregory by the bishops of Arles (see below. Epp. LIII., LV.). This letter is not found in the Registrum Epistolorum; but given by Bede P. xxx. though not, apparently, any others to whom letters are now (I. 23), and by John the Deacon (Vit. S. Greg. lib. ii. c. 34). 4 De Turnis; in Colbert. Turonis. The latter name in itself would seem to denote Tours. But it is not easy to see why a common letter should have been addressed to the Bishops be likely to lie on the route which the missionaries would take to of Tours and Marseilles. And, further, would Tours on the Loire Britain? 5 See I. 25, note 8. Moreover, we commend in all ways to your charity our common son the presbyter Candidus, whom we have sent for the government of the patrimony of our Church. Given on the tenth day of the Kalends of August, Indiction 14. EPISTLE LIII. TO VIRGILIUS, BISHOP. Gregory to Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles), Metropolitan. Although we are confident that your Fraternity is intent on good works, and that you come forward of your own accord in causes well-pleasing to God, we nevertheless deem it advantageous to address you with fraternal charity, that, being provoked also by our letters, you may increase the solace which it becomes you voluntarily to bestow. And accordingly we inform your Holiness that we have sent Augustine, the servant of God, the bearer of these presents, with other servants of God, for the winning of souls in the parts whither he is going, as he will be able himself to inform you face to face. In these circumstances you must needs aid him with prayer and assistance, and, where need may require, afford him the support of your succour, and refresh him, as is fit, with fatherly and priestly consolation, to the end that, when he shall have obtained the succour of your Holiness, if he should succeed in winning any gain for God, as we hope he may, you too may be able to gain a reward along with him, having devoutly administered to his good works the abundance of your support. Moreover, as to Candidus the presbyter, our common son, and the little patrimony of our Church, let your Fraternity, as being of one mind with us, study to hold both as commended to you; that so, with the help of your Holiness, something may thence accrue for the sustenance of the poor. Inasmuch, then, as your predecessor held this patrimony for many years, and kept in his own hands the collected payments, let your Fraternity consider whose the moneys are, and to whom they should be paid, and restore them to us, handing them to the abovewritten presbyter Candidus, our son. For it is very execrable that what has been preserved by the kings of the nations should be said to be taken away by bishops. EPISTLE LIV. TO DESIDERIUS AND SYAGRIUS, BISHOPS. Gregory to Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), and Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Having regard to your sincere charity we are well assured that out of love for Peter, the Prince of the apostles, you will devotedly afford your succour to our men ; especially since the nature of the case requires you to give assistance even of your own accord, and the more when you see them labour. Wherefore we inform your Holiness that, the Lord so ordering it, we have despatched Augustine, the servant of God, the bearer of these presents, whose zeal and earnestness are well known to us, with other servants of God, in behalf of souls in those parts; from whose account of things when you have fully learnt what is enjoined on him, let your Fraternity bestow your succour on him in all ways which the case may require, that you may be able, as is becoming and fit, to be helpers of a good work. Let, then, your Fraternity study to shew yourself so devoted in this matter that your action may prove to us the truth of the good report that we have heard of you. We commend to you in all respects our most beloved common son, Candidus the presbyter, to whom we have committed the patrimony of our Church situated in those parts. brotherly charity towards us, as is fit. In order then that actual fact may confirm the good report of you, tell our brother and fellowbishop Virgilius to hand over to us the payments which his predecessor received for many years and retained in his own hands: for it is the property of the poor. And if perchance, as we do not believe will be the case, he should desire in any way to excuse himself, do you, who know the real truth more exactly, inasmuch as you acted as steward (vicedominus) at that time, explain to him how the matter stands, and urge him not to retain in his hands the property of Saint Peter and of his poor. But, though perhaps our men may not need this, do not refuse your testimony in the case; that so, with regard to the truth as well as to the devotion of your good will, the blessed apostle Peter, for whose love you do this, may respond to you by his intercession both here and in the life to come. We heartily commend to your Holiness the presbyter Candidus, our common son, to whom we have committed the charge of this patrimony. EPISTLE LVI. The account given us by Augustine, servant of God, the bearer of these presents, has made us joyful, in that he has told us that your Love is vigilant as you ought to be; and he further affirms that the presbyters and deacons and the whole congregation live in unanimity and concord. And, since the goodness of presidents is the salutary rule of their subjects, we implore Almighty God to enkindle thee always in good works by the grace of His lovingkindness, and to keep those who are committed to thee from all temptation of diabolical deceit, and grant to them to live with thee in charity and in the manner of life that pleases Him. But, since the enemy of the human race never rests from plotting against our doings, so as to deceive in some part souls that are serving God, therefore, most beloved son, we exhort thee to exercise vigilantly thy anxious care, and so to keep those who are committed to thee by prayer and heedfulness that the prowling wolf may find no opportunity for tearing the flock to the end that, when thou shalt have rendered to our God unharmed those of whom thou hast undertaken the charge, He may both of His grace repay thee with rewards for thy labour and multiply in thee longings for eternal life. 7 In Cod. Colbert. Stephen is described as "abbati de monasterio quod est Lirino;" i e. the famous monastery on the island of that name (Lerins) now known as L'ile de St. Honorat. This was probably Stephen's monastery. We have received the spoons and plates which thou hast sent us, and we thank thy Charity, because thou hast shewn how thou lovest the poor in having sent for their use such things as they need. EPISTLE LVII. TO ARIGIUS, PATRICIAN Gregory to Arigius, Patrician of Gaul. Since Almighty God has adorned your kingdom with rectitude of faith, and has made it conspicuous among other nations by the purity of its Christian religion, we have conceived great expectations of you, that you will by all means desire that your subjects should be converted to that faith in virtue of which you are their kings and lords. This being so, it has come to our knowledge that the nation of the Angli is desirous, through the mercy of God, of being We have learnt from the servant of God, converted to the Christian faith, but that the Augustine, the bearer of these presents, how priests in their neighbourhood neglect them, great goodness, how great gentleness, with and are remiss in kindling their desires by the charity that is well-pleasing to Christ, is their own exhortations. On this account therein you resplendent; and we give thanks fore we have taken thought to send to them to Almighty God, who has granted you the servant of God Augustine, the bearer of these gifts of His loving-kindness, through these presents, whose zeal and earnestness are which you may have it in your power to be well known to us, with other servants of God. highly esteemed among men, and-what is And we have also charged them to take with truly profitable-glorious in His sight. We them some priests from the neighbouring therefore pray Almighty God, that He would parts, with whom they may be able to ascertain multiply in you these gifts which He has the disposition of the Angli, and, as far as God granted, and keep you with all yours under His protection, and so dispose the doings of your Glory in this world that they may be to your benefit both here, and-what is more to be wished-in the life to come. Saluting, then, your Glory with paternal sweetness, we beg of you that the bearer of these, presents, and the servants of God who are with him, may obtain your succour in what is needful, to the end that, while they experience your favour, they may the better fulfil what has been enjoined on them to do. Furthermore, we commend to you in all respects our son the presbyter Candidus, whom we have sent for the government of the patrimony of our Church which is in your parts; trusting that your Glory will receive a reward in return from our God, if with devout mind you lend your succour to the concerns of the poor. EPISTLE LVIII. TO THEODORIC AND THEODEBERT'. Gregory to Theodoric and Theodebert, brethren, Kings of the Franks. A paribus. 8 The term Patricius was used to designate governors of provinces under the Frank kings. Cf. III. 33, "Dynamio patricio Galliarum," and Greg. Turon. (IV. 24), "Guntramnus rex, amoto Agricola patricio, Celsum patriciatus honore donavit. There were at this time two Burgundian Patricii, one, called the Patricius absolutely, residing at Arles, the other at Marseilles (Greg. Turon). Childebert II. son of Sigebert I. and Brunechild, who had reigned over nearly all the dominions of the Franks in Gaul (see VI. 5, note 5), died in this year. A.D. 596, and was succeeded by his illegitimate son Theodebert 11. as king of Austrasia, and by his second son Theoderic 11. as king of Burgundy. These two kings were only ten and seven years of age respectively when their father died, and their grandmother Brunechild was appointed guardian of the former. Hence Gregory, writing now after the to the two minors, but another (Ep. LIX.) to Brunechild. See Pedigree of Kings of Gaul, p. xxx. death of Childebert, addresses formal letters in identical terms a See I. 25, note 8. may grant it to them, to aid their wishes by their admonition. Now, that they may have it in their power to shew themselves efficient and capable in this business, we beseech your Excellency, greeting you with paternal charity, that these whom we have sent may be counted worthy to find the grace of your favour. And, since it is a matter of souls, let your power protect and aid them; that Almighty God, who knows that with devout mind and with all your heart you take an interest in His cause, may propitiously direct your causes, and after earthly dominion bring you to heavenly kingdoms. Futhermore, we request your Excellency to hold as commended to you our most beloved son, Candidus, a presbyter, and the rector of the patrimony of our Church, to the end that the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, may answer you by his intercession, while, looking to the reward, you afford your protection in the concerns of his poor. EPISTLE LIX. TO BRUNICHILD, QUEEN OF THE FRANKS. The Christianity of your Excellence has been so truly known to us of old that we do not in the least doubt of your goodness, but rather hold it to be in all ways certain that you will devoutly and zealously concur with us in the cause of faith, and supply most abundantly the succour of your religious sincerity. Being for this reason well assured, and greeting you with paternal charity, we inform you that it has come to our knowledge how that the nation of the Angli, by God's permission, is desirous of becoming Christian, but that the priests who are in their neighbourhood have no pastoral solicitude with regard to them. And lest their souls should haply perish in eternal damnation, it has been our care to send to them the bearer of these presents, Augustine the servant of God, whose zeal and earnestness are well known to us, with other servants of God; that through them we might be able to learn their wishes, and, as far as is possible, you also striving with us, to take thought for their conversion. We have also charged them that for carrying out this design they should take with them presbyters from the neighbouring regions. Let, then, your Excellency, habitually prone to good works, on account as well of our request as of regard to the fear of God, deign to hold him as in all ways commended to you, and earnestly bestow on him the favour of your protection, and lend the aid of your patronage to his labour; and, that he may have the fullest fruit thereof, provide for his going secure under your protection to the above-written nation of the Angli, to the end that our God, who has adorned you in this world with good qualities well-pleasing to Him, may cause you to give thanks here and in eternal rest with His saints. Furthermore, commending to your Christianity our beloved son Candidus, presbyter and rector of the patrimony of our Church which is situated in your parts, we beg that he may in all things obtain the favour of your protection. EPISTLE LX. the master, and you over the see of the master because of the disciple. Moreover to this unity of hearts we are bound also by the merits of your Holiness, since we know that you follow profitably the ordinances of your founder, and feel how you betake yourself with entire devotion to the bosom of your master, whence sprung the preaching of salvation in your parts. And so, when we received the letters of your Holiness, as much as our heart rejoiced in your brotherly visitation, so much is it oppressed with sadness for the untold burdens which you refer to, and we groan with you in brotherly sympathy for your grief. But, since a shaking of various kinds is extending itself everywhere, in the midst of a common need one should grieve less for one's own, but study rather, by patiently enduring, to overcome what we cannot altogether avoid. But what we ourselves are suffering from the swords of the Lombards in the daily plundering and mangling and slaying of our citizens, we refuse to tell, lest, while speaking of our own sorrows, we should increase yours from the sympathy which you bestow upon us. Furthermore, a little time ago we sent to Sabinianus, who represents our Church in the royal city, a letter from ourselves, which he should have sent on to your Fraternity 3. If you have received it, we wonder why you have sent us no reply to it. And accordingly, since caution must be taken lest the pride of any one whatever introduce offence in the Churches, it is needful that you should carefully peruse it, and with all diligence and full bent of mind maintain what pertains to your dignity and to the peace of the Church. Now may Almighty God, who by the grace of His loving-kindness has conferred on you the disposition and charity that becomes a priest, protect you in His service, and keep you within and without from all adversity, and mercifully grant that the souls of wanderers may be converted to Himself by your preaching. TO EULOGIUS, BISHOP. Gregory to Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria. Charity, the mother and guardian of all that is good, which binds together in union the hearts of many, regards not as absent him whom it has present in the mind's eye. Since then, dearest brother, we are held together by the root of charity, neither will bodily absence We have received with the charity that was nor distance of places have power to assert any due to the bearer of these presents, our comclaim over us, inasmuch as we who are one are mon son the deacon Isidore, who brought to surely not far from each other. Now we wish us the benediction of Saint Mark the evangeto have always this common charity with the list. And you indeed, being resplendent in rest of our brethren. Yet there is something the merit of a good life, have sent to us the that binds us in a certain peculiar way to the sweetly smelling word, which is nigh unto Church of Alexandria, and compels us, as it Paradise. But we, to wit because we are were by a special law, to be the more prone to sinners, send you wood from the West, which, love it. For, as it is known to all that the blessed evangelist Mark was sent by Saint Peter the apostle, his master, to Alexandria, so we are bound together in the unity of this master and his disciple, so that I seem to pieside over the see of the disciple because of 3 See V. 43, which is probably the letter here referred to, being one sent to the two patriarchs of Alexandria and Anticch, urging them to join in resisting the assumption of the title of universal Bishop by the patriarch of Constantinople. that had been sent. Cf. 2 Kings v. 15, "Take a blessing of the 4 Benedictionem, with reference to the present of sweet wood servant." |