Letter 9014: May God commend your holiness to His own mercy and loving care.

From: Ennodius, deacon and literary figure in Pavia To: Helpidius, deacon Date: ~503 AD Context: A letter commending Helpidius to God's mercy and protection — a brief but warm note sustaining their professional and personal bond. To Helpidius the deacon, from Ennodius. May God commend your holiness to His own mercy and loving care. In these times, we need divine protection more than ever, and I trust that you — whose life is devoted to His service — will not be left without it. I write briefly, but with full heart. Keep faith, keep praying, and keep writing. Farewell.

XIIII. HELPIDIO DIACONO ENNODIVS. Deus sanctitatem tuam misericordiae suae et gratiae prosequatur insignibus, qui de humilitate mea rem amici faciens dignaris esse sollicitus et me meosque promittis peculiari affectione te colere. scio, quia deus propitius tibi sic gratiam inuicti principis contulit, ut humilitas ecclesiastica non periret. uere, domne Helpidi, si dignatur pius rex de seruo suo esse sollicitus, tu fecisti, cuius animo nullus amicorum uicem poterit repensare. scias me tamen cotidie diuersa adfligi qualitate morborum, ita ut de uita desperem. rogo tamen honore salutationis accepto, ut domnum Faustum et filios ipsius memor animae tuae sinceriter diligas et pro mea anima, quantum praeuales, orare non cesses, quia non remansit in luce quod sperem. rogo etiam, ut me frequenti digneris alloquio et si domnus noster ad Liguriam uenturus est intimare procures.