教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 513 章

Gregory to Dominicus, bishop of Carthage. The writings of your Holiness, which we received through the bearer of these presents, so bespoke a priestly modesty, that they in a manner caressed us with the bodily presence of their author. For infrequent speech works no harm, where there abides in the mind a continuous affection of love. Great, moreover, is the virtue of charity, beloved brother, which by the bond of its sincerity binds together hearts in mutual reciprocal affection, and does not suffer them to be dissolved from the framework of grace: it joins things disjoined, guards things united, and by an image renders known through love those unknown to one another.

Whosoever, therefore, fixes his mind on the hinge of this, no assault of any adversity plucks him from the dwelling of the heavenly fatherland, since wheresoever he turns himself, he does not depart from the threshold of the commandments. Whence also, in praise of that same charity, it is said through the excellent preacher: which is the bond of perfection (Col. 3:14). Of how great praise, then, do we behold it worthy, which begets perfection not only in the mind, but also binds it. Since, therefore, the speech of your letters betrays you to be kindled with the fire of this virtue, I am gladdened with abundant exultation in the Lord, and I desire that this may shine forth in you more and more, for it is the light of the flock, the flame of the shepherd.

For it befits, it befits the Lord's priest to shine forth in character and life, so that in him, as in the mirror of his own life, the people committed to him may both choose what to follow, and be able to see what to correct. Knowing, moreover, whence the priestly ordination took its beginning in the African regions, you act laudably in that, loving the Apostolic See, you return with prudent recollection to the origin of your office, and remain with commendable constancy in affection toward it. For it is certain that you add to your own honor whatever of reverence and devotion you priestly render to it, since through this you invite it to assist you with a reciprocal love.

For the rest, dearest brother, let us with assiduous prayer beseech the Almighty Lord, that He may direct the steps of our heart into the path of His truth; and that, in order to lead us to the heavenly realms, He may grant us to display in our works the office of His name by the grace of His protection. In the month of August, in the first indiction.