Letter 4

From: Avitus, bishop of Vienne To: Caesarius, bishop of Arles Date: ~503 AD Context: A letter of recommendation for Bishop Maximianus, who has been displaced from his homeland and is seeking medical treatment for failing eyesight — with a touching comparison to the biblical Tobit, who was blind to earthly things but could see the invisible. Avitus, bishop, to Bishop Caesarius. Though the person of this venerable bearer commends himself to the hearts of brotherly love, the holy Bishop Maximianus has specifically asked that this letter of introduction from me be sent to you — through which it is clear that I should be commended by him rather than he by me. Since he has asked me to set out his needs in my own words, I will say nothing about the hardship of his exile. For however long the span of time or vast the distance that separates him from his native land, a priest who has left his homeland cannot be called a stranger wherever a Catholic church can be found. Nor should the devastation of his region need to be emphasized to you as though it were unknown, since your piety, seeking out every doorway of mercy, is well aware of where misery lies. His principal reason for coming, as he indicates, is to find wherever he can a more skilled physician who might help the weakness of his bodily eyes with whatever remedy of medical art is available. Though in truth, the gaze of his devout mind, occupied more with contemplating spiritual things and not overly frightened by the blindness of the outer man, seeks this cure — as far as I can tell — with such moderation that he is concerned more to satisfy those who love him than himself. At the same time, he does not want to be blamed for neglecting his health in a way that might reprehensibly diminish his capacity for priestly office. As for his hope of recovering his sight, I think he also draws it from the biblical example: that our Tobit [Tobit 11:7-15], though his earthly eyes were dim but he could see what was invisible to the world, attentive to eternal light and nearly forgetful of mortal day — a hidden medicine in an angel restored him through the salve of gall to the sweetness of health. So receive this brother with your customary sincerity and fitting reverence. If any comfort is owed to one in distress, give it. Our shared desire will be fulfilled if even some remedy for his condition can be found. But if not, at least let the eye of priestly conscience, subject to no blindness, recognize the uncorruptible face of mutual devotion.

Avitus episcopus Caesario episcopo. Licet ipsa se venerandi portitoris persona animis fraternae caritatis insinuet, sanctus tamen Maximianus antistes hanc peculiarius ad vos officii mei paginam petiit destinari: per quam me potius ab illo, quam illum a me commendari debere mani- festum est. Et quia iubere dignatus est necessitates suas sermone meo pandere, nihil dicendum de peregrinationis labore suscepi: quia, quantalibet vel temporum longitudine vel itineris vastitate genitalis patriae linquat habitaculum, peregrinus sacerdos dici non potest, ubi catholica reperiri ecelesia potest. Quamquam nec illa vobis regionis suae subversio quasi incognita exaggerari debeat: cum pietatem vestram quaerentem ubique misericordiae aditus non lateat, ubi est miseriae locus. Principalis tamen ei, quantum dignatur adserere, causa veniendi est, ut peritiorem medicum quocumque perquirat, qui imbecillitati corporeorum luminum cuiuscumque remedio artis succurrat. Quam- quam religiosae mentis intuitus contemplandis magis spiritalibus occupatus nec nimium de exterioris hominis caecitate perterritus eo temperamento hanc, quantum comperi, curam requirat, ut amatoribus potius suis satisfacere in huius studii necessitate con- tendat; simul et ne videatur per neglectae sanitatis culpam facultas in eo sacerdotalis officii reprehensibiliter minorata. Spem vero recipiendi obtutus, quantum arbitror, et ab exemplo requirit, quod scilicet Tobiam nostrum caligantem quidem terrestribus, sed quae mundo erant invisibilia contuentem, attentum aeternae luci et iam paene diei mortalis immemorem, latens in angelo medicina reduxerit per collyrium fellis ad dul- cedinem sanitatis. Quocirca suscipite fratrem sinceritate solita, reverentia digna: et si quid consolationis anxio debetur, impendite. Implebitur autem commune desiderium. si etiam qualiscumque infirmitatis medela provenerit. Quod certe si minus, saltem in- corruptibilem vultum pietatis alternae nulli obnoxius caecitati sacerdotalis conscientiae oculus recognoscat.