Letter 11020

From: Pope Gregory I To: Marinianus, Bishop of Arborea [Sardinia] Date: ~601 AD Context: Gregory sends relics via Candidus the abbot, bearer of this letter The bearer of this letter is Candidus the abbot, a man of God whom I commend to your care and hospitality. He carries with him relics which I am sending for the benefit of your community, and I ask you to receive both him and these sacred gifts with all due reverence. Sardinia is far from Rome in miles but not in our pastoral concern. I think of your communities there with regularity, and I pray that the faith takes ever deeper root in those islands. Give Candidus whatever he needs for his mission, and send him on his way with your blessing.

Latore hic praesentium Candido abbate^ pro petendis reliquiis, quae et con- cessae* sunt, yeniente, quanto de fratemitatis tuae nutrimento laetatus sum, quod in eo studium^ tuae fratemitatis appamit, tanto contristatus sum, quod eius*', ut volui, praesentia frai non potui, propter^ quod me et aegrotum repperit et discedens* in infirmitate adhuc positum dereliquit^. Multum enim iam tempus est, quod surgere de lecto non valeo. Nam modo podagrae dolor craciat', modo nescio quis in toto corpore cum dolore se ignis expandit; et fit plemmque, ut uno in me tempore ardor cum dolore confligat et corpus in me animusque deficiat. Quantis autem aliis^ necessitatibus extra haec quae** retuli» infirmitatis afficiar, enumerare non valeo. Sed breviter dico, quia sic me infectio noxii humoris inbibit, ut vivere mihi poena sit, sed mortem deside- ranter*^ expectem, quam gemitibus meis solam esse credo posse^ remedium. Proinde, firater sanctissime, divinae pro me pietatis misericordiam deprecare, ut percussionis suae erga me flagella™ propitius mitiget et patientiam tolerandi° concedat, ne nimio, quod absit, taedio in impatientiam'' '* cor emmpat^ et ea^ quae decurari' per plagam poterat culpa crescat ex murmure.