Letter 1048: The justice which you bear in your mind you ought to show in the light of your deeds. Now Juliana, abbess of the monastery of Saint Vitus which Vitula of venerable memory had once built, has intimated to us that possession of the aforesaid monastery is claimed by Donatus, your official; who, seeing himself to be fortified by your patronage, scor...

Book I, Letter 48 To Theodorus, Duke [military governor] of Sardinia. Gregory to Theodorus. The justice you hold in your heart should be made visible through your actions. Juliana, abbess of the monastery of Saint Vitus -- originally built by Vitula of honored memory -- has informed us that your official Donatus is claiming ownership of the monastery. Seeing himself protected by your patronage, he refuses to submit the matter to a proper judicial hearing. We ask Your Glory to direct this official, together with the abbess, to submit the dispute to arbitration. Whatever the arbitrators decide should be carried out, so that whether Donatus gains or loses, the outcome is determined by the justice of the law, not personal influence. Furthermore, Pompeiana, a religious woman who established a monastery in her own home, has complained that her deceased son-in-law's mother wants to invalidate his will so that his final wishes regarding his property are overturned. We urge Your Glory, with paternal affection, to lend yourself willingly to just causes and kindly ensure that these persons receive what they have a rightful claim to. We pray the Lord to direct the course of your life favorably and grant you a successful tenure in your distinguished office.

Book I, Letter 48 To Theodorus, Duke of Sardinia. Gregory to Theodorus, etc. The justice which you bear in your mind you ought to show in the light of your deeds. Now Juliana, abbess of the monastery of Saint Vitus which Vitula of venerable memory had once built, has intimated to us that possession of the aforesaid monastery is claimed by Donatus, your official; who, seeing himself to be fortified by your patronage, scorns to have resort to a judicial examination of the case. But now let your Glory enjoin this same official, with the aforesaid hand-maiden of God, to submit the matter to arbitration to the end that whatever may be decided as to the question in dispute by the judgment of the arbitrators may be carried into effect; so that, whatever he may find he has to lose or keep, what he does may not be done as a deed of virtue, but set down to the justice of the law. Further, Pompeiana, a religious lady, who is known to have established a monastery in her own house, has complained that the mother of her deceased son-in-law wishes to annul his will, to the end that her son's last disposition of his property may be made of none effect. On this account we hold it necessary with paternal charity to exhort your Glory to lend yourself willingly, with due regard to justice, to pious causes, and kindly order that whatever these persons have a rightful claim to be secured to them. Now, we beseech the Lord to direct the way of your life propitiously, and grant you a prosperous administration of your dignified office. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360201048.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.