教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 809 章

Gregory to Julian. Receiving the writing of your Glory, I opened it gladly to be read, but read it through and folded it up in sadness. For in it was said that, out of a sense of shame, you had for a long time kept silent to me about the things that ought to have been said. And it is certain that one is loved the less who still blushes to speak. And I was altogether saddened, because I have found that I am loved by you less than I had estimated. But in this you greatly restrain me, if you diligently seek from me that the occasions of reward be constantly provided for you. Nor ought it to be a matter of bashfulness for you to say something, even importunately, concerning alms, since it is established that you hold not your own goods, but the goods of the poor for dispensing.

And so concerning the matters of reward you ought to have dealt freely with the bishop, even if you did not know how my mind stood in love toward you. For since we both altogether love your Glory, and hold, as you know, the place of a dispenser in the goods of the poor, your bashfulness, I confess, was greatly to be blamed. And I therefore pursue it by chiding with so many words, in order that I may drive it out utterly from your heart, and may have in the matters of reward a great comfort of your provision.

To your monastery, therefore, which was built by you in the city of Catania, we have appointed, through the notary and rector of the patrimony Adrian, by a document of precept issued, that ten solidi be given yearly; which we ask to be received without any offense, because this offering to you is not ours, but the blessing of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles.