教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 445 章

Gregory to Brunhild, queen of the Franks. The Christian faith of your Excellency became truly known to us long ago, so that we in no way doubt of your goodness; but rather we hold it certain in every way, that in the cause of the faith you devoutly and diligently concur, and most abundantly supply the comforts of your religious sincerity. On which account, being well assured, and greeting you with fatherly charity, we make known that it has come to us that the nation of the English, God consenting, wishes to become Christian; but that the priests who are near at hand have no pastoral solicitude toward them.

Lest their souls perish in eternal damnation, we have made it our care to direct thither the bearer of this letter, Augustine, servant of God, whose zeal and diligence are well known to us, together with other servants of God, that through them we might learn the wills of those people, and, with your help also, so far as is possible, take thought for their conversion. We have also enjoined upon them that, for the accomplishing of these things, they should take with them priests from the neighbourhood.

Let your Excellency therefore, which is wont to be prompt in good works, both for our petition's sake and also out of consideration of the fear of God, deign to hold him commended in all things, and vehemently afford him the grace of your protection, and bring to his labour the aid of your patronage; and that he may most fully be able to have his reward, provide that he may go safely, under your protection, to the aforesaid nation of the English; so that our God, who in this world has adorned you with good things pleasing to Himself, may cause you to rejoice with His saints both here and in eternal rest.

Furthermore, commending to your Christianity our beloved son Candidus the priest, and the little patrimony of our Church which is situated there, we ask that he may obtain the grace of your protection in all things.