Letter 6056: The account given us by Augustine, servant of God, the bearer of these presents, has made us joyful, in that he has told us that your Love is vigilant as you ought to be; and he further affirms that the presbyters and deacons and the whole congregation live in unanimity and concord. And, since the goodness of presidents is the salutary rule of t...

Gregory to Stephen, Abbot. The report given to us by Augustine, servant of God and bearer of these presents, has made us glad — for he has told us that your Love is as watchful as you ought to be, and that the priests, deacons, and the whole community live together in unanimity and concord. Since the goodness of those who lead is the saving rule of those they guide, we implore Almighty God to enkindle you always in good works by the grace of his loving-kindness, to guard those entrusted to you from every temptation of the devil's deceit, and to grant them to live with you in charity and in the manner of life that pleases him. But since the enemy of the human race never rests from plotting against what we do — seeking to deceive in some part souls that are serving God — most beloved son, we urge you to exercise your watchful care with vigilance, and to keep those entrusted to you through prayer and attentiveness, so that the prowling wolf may find no opening to tear at the flock. When you shall have rendered unharmed to our God those whose care you have undertaken, he will both in his grace repay you with the rewards of your labor and multiply in you longings for eternal life. We have received the spoons and plates you sent us, and we thank your Charity — for you have shown how much you love the poor by sending for their use exactly the things they need.

Book VI, Letter 56 To Stephen, Abbot. Gregory to Stephen, etc. The account given us by Augustine, servant of God, the bearer of these presents, has made us joyful, in that he has told us that your Love is vigilant as you ought to be; and he further affirms that the presbyters and deacons and the whole congregation live in unanimity and concord. And, since the goodness of presidents is the salutary rule of their subjects, we implore Almighty God to enkindle you always in good works by the grace of His loving-kindness, and to keep those who are committed to you from all temptation of diabolical deceit, and grant to them to live with you in charity and in the manner of life that pleases Him. But, since the enemy of the human race never rests from plotting against our doings, so as to deceive in some part souls that are serving God, therefore, most beloved son, we exhort you to exercise vigilantly your anxious care, and so to keep those who are committed to you by prayer and heedfulness that the prowling wolf may find no opportunity for tearing the flock: to the end that, when you shall have rendered to our God unharmed those of whom you have undertaken the charge, He may both of His grace repay you with rewards for your labour and multiply in you longings for eternal life. We have received the spoons and plates which you have sent us, and we thank your Charity, because you have shown how you love the poor in having sent for their use such things as they need. 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/360206056.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.