Letter 7012: Gregory to Respecta, Abbess of Massilia (Marseilles) in Gaul. The demand of a pious wish ought to be accomplished by a consequent result, that so the benefit demanded may be validly attained, and sincerity of devotion may laudably shine forth. Accordingly to the monastery consecrated to the honour of Saint Cassian wherein you are selected to pre...

Gregory to Respecta, Abbess of Marseilles in Gaul. The desire expressed in a devout petition ought to be fulfilled by a matching result, so that the benefit asked for may be validly obtained and sincere devotion may shine forth with deserved praise. Accordingly, for the monastery consecrated to the honor of Saint Cassian, over which you have been chosen to preside — in accordance with the petition of our children Dynamius and Aureliana, who are shown, in their religious devotion, to have united it to the house in their possession by joining the buildings together — we have judged it right to grant the following privileges: We decree that on the death of the abbess of the aforesaid monastery, not an outsider but one whom the community itself chooses from among its own members shall be ordained — whom the bishops of the same place shall ordain, provided that she be judged worthy of this ministry. Further, with regard to the property and management of the same monastery, we decree that neither bishop nor any church official shall have any authority; but appoint that these matters shall in all respects belong to the charge of your Solicitude, or of whoever may be abbess in that place after you. If on the feast day of the Saint or on the anniversary of the dedication of the aforesaid monastery the bishop should come there to celebrate the solemn Mass, his office must be conducted in such a way that his chair is placed there only on those days while he is celebrating Mass there, and that when he departs his chair is at the same time removed from the oratory. On all other days let the Mass be celebrated by the priest appointed by the bishop. Furthermore, with regard to the life and conduct of the servants of God and of the abbess who may be appointed in the aforesaid monastery, we charge the bishop, in the fear of God, to give them careful attention — so that if any of those living there ought, on account of her fault, to be subjected to punishment, he may himself deal with the offense according to the rigor of the sacred canons. These things having been ordained and granted by us, study in the governing of your community to show yourself so earnest and attentive in all respects that the malice of the evil one may find nothing there that can be corrupted. All these provisions, set out in this document of injunctions, we decree to be observed, under Christ's protection, in all respects and by all persons in your monastery for ever — so that the benefits of the granted privileges may always remain firm and inviolate. The month of November, the fifteenth indiction.

Book VII, Letter 12 To Respecta, Abbess. Gregory to Respecta, Abbess of Massilia (Marseilles) in Gaul. The demand of a pious wish ought to be accomplished by a consequent result, that so the benefit demanded may be validly attained, and sincerity of devotion may laudably shine forth. Accordingly to the monastery consecrated to the honour of Saint Cassian wherein you are selected to preside — in accordance with the petition of our children Dynamius and Aureliana, who are shown, in their religious devotion, to have united it to the house in their possession by connecting the buildings — we have seen fit to allow these privileges:— We appoint that on the death of the abbess of the aforesaid monastery, not a stranger, but one whom the congregation may choose for itself from among its own members, shall be ordained; whom (provided however that she be judged worthy of this ministry) the bishops of the same place shall ordain. Further, with regard to the property and management of the same monastery, we decree that neither bishop nor any ecclesiastic shall have any power; but appoint that these things shall in all respects pertain to the charge of your Solicitude, or of her who may be abbess in the same place after you. If on the day of the Saint's anniversary, or of the dedication, of the aforesaid monastery the bishop should resort there for celebrating the sacred solemnities of mass, still his office must be so executed that his chair be not placed there, except on the aforesaid days while he is celebrating there the solemnities of mass. And when he departs, let his chair be at the same time removed from the same oratory. But on all other days let the offices of mass be performed by the presbyter whom the same bishop may appoint Furthermore, with regard to the life and deeds of the handmaidens of God, or of the abbess who may be constituted in the above-written monastery, we enjoin on the bishop, in the fear of God, to devote careful attention to them; so that, if any of those who dwell there, her fault demanding it, ought to be subjected to punishment, he may himself visit the offense according to the vigour of the sacred canons. These things, then, being by us ordained and granted, do thou, in the ordering of your congregation, study to show yourself so earnestly attentive in all respects that the malice of the malignant foe may find nothing there that can be contaminated. All these things, therefore, embraced in this paper of injunctions, we ordain to be observed, under Christ's protection, in all respects and by all persons for ever in your monastery, to the end that the benefits of the privileges allowed may always continue firm and inviolate. The month of November, Indict. 15. 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/360207012.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.