Letter 11005

From: Pope Gregory I To: Adeodatus, Illustrious Woman Date: September 600 AD Context: Gregory sends requested relics and apologizes for the delay I am ashamed, my daughter, that you have waited so long for the relics you requested. Delay in such matters, when it is in our power to remedy it, brings reproach on us, and rightly so. I now send what you asked, with my sincere apology for the time it has taken. Please receive these sacred relics with the devotion they deserve, and do not judge us too harshly for our tardiness. The press of affairs here — and I confess my own infirmity has weighed heavily on me of late — has slowed many things that should move quickly. May these tokens of the saints' intercession bring you comfort and protection.

Ut moram in dandis reliquiis, quas gloria vestra* petit, faceremus, non Yoluntate distulimus, sed praecedentis ^ rei^ nos casus fecit ambigere. Deus autem omnipotens cordis vestri devotionem^ intuens miraculorum^ signis ammonentibus a vestra vos inten- tione fraudari non pertulit. Sed ideo desiderium vestrum modica voluit dilatione differri, ut docentibus miraculis et amor vobis cresceret' in veneratione* sanctorum*^ et maior fieret exultatio gaudiorum. Quia ergo in affectu' postulatae rei gloriae vestrae vota completa sunt, hortamur, ut cuius praedicatores colitis eius soUicite mandata^ servetis et, sicut religiosa devotione terrena sanotorum honoribus loca construitis, sic quoque cum eis mansionem vobis procurare in caelestibus festinetis, quatenus et hic illos in omnibus adiutores et in futura mereamini habere^ vita™ consortes.