教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 436 章

Gregory to Urbicus, abbot of the monastery of Saint Hermes, which is situated at Palermo. Whoever, pricked by divine inspiration, forsaking the actions of this world, hastens to be converted to God, is so to be received with charity, and cherished with soothing consolations in all things, that in the manner of life which he has chosen he may, with God's help, be delighted by every means to persist.

Since therefore Agatho, the bearer of the present letter, desires to be converted in the monastery of your Love, we exhort you to receive him with all sweetness and love, and to kindle his desire toward eternal life by constant exhortation, and diligently to strive to be solicitous concerning the salvation of his soul, so that, while by your admonition he shall have persisted with devout mind in the service of our God, it may both profit him to have forsaken the world, and his conversion may avail you toward reward. Yet know that he is so to be received, if his wife likewise shall have wished to be converted. For since the one body of both was made by the coupling of marriage, it is incongruous that one part be converted, and part remain in the world. (Cf. Gratian, Cause 27, question 2, canon 25.)

Gregory to Palladius, bishop of Saintes in Gaul. Coming as bearer of the present letter, Leuparic, your presbyter, has intimated to us that your Fraternity has built a church in honor of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and also of the martyrs Laurence and Pancras, and has placed there thirteen altars, of which we learn that four have remained not yet dedicated, on this account: that you are disposing, with God's assent, to place there the relics of the aforesaid saints. And since we have furnished with veneration the relics of Saints Peter and Paul, and also of the martyrs Laurence and Pancras, we exhort you that you ought, with the Lord's help, to receive them with reverence and to place them.

providing above all things that to those serving there the supports of provisions ought not to be lacking.