Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 178

Gregory to Symmachus the defensor. My son Boniface the deacon told me that your Experience had written that a monastery, once built by Labina, a religious woman, exists ready-prepared, so that monks ought to be ordained in it. And indeed I praised your solicitude; but I wish that, apart from that place which has already been left for the same purpose, another place ought to be provided; yet in such a way that, because of the uncertainty of the times, a place upon the sea ought to be sought out, which either stands fortified by the disposition of its site, or at least can be fortified without great labour, so that we may send monks thither, so that that very island, which up to now has not had a monastery, may also be improved in the way of this manner of life.

For the fulfilling and providing of which matter we have directed the abbot Horosius, the bearer of the present order, with whom let your Experience go about the shores of Corsica; and if such a place belonging to any private person can be found worthy, we are prepared to give a worthy price, so that we may be able to establish something firmly. To the aforesaid Horosius we have enjoined that he proceed to the island of Gorgona, with whom let your Experience likewise go; and all the evils which we have learned to have been committed there, so avenge, that through your punishment the aforesaid island may also for the future remain corrected. Let the oft-mentioned abbot Horosius establish the monasteries of this island, and so hasten to return to us.

So therefore let your Experience act, that from both matters—that is, both in providing a monastery in Corsica, and in correcting the monks in Gorgona—you may hasten to obey not our will, but that of Almighty God. Besides, we wish that the priests who dwell in Corsica ought to be forbidden to consort with women, except only a mother, a sister, or a wife who is to be governed chastely. But to the three concerning whom your Experience wrote to the aforesaid son Boniface the deacon, since they are in vehement need, expend whatever you judge sufficient for them; which we shall afterwards credit in your accounts. Given in the month of July.