Letter 11051: Word has come of an imminent barbarian threat against Sicily.

Gregory to all bishops of Sicily. Word has come of an imminent barbarian threat against Sicily. In response, I direct all bishops throughout the island to lead their communities in two weeks of litanies [solemn processions with prayer and fasting — a standard response to public danger in Gregory's church]. This is not merely a gesture. The prayers of the faithful, offered with genuine contrition and sincere petition, call upon the mercy of God who has power over all earthly events. Whether the threat is averted or not, the spiritual preparation of the community to face whatever comes is an act of genuine pastoral care. Lead your communities in this observance. Preach on the importance of genuine contrition. And let me know what threat materializes and what the conditions are in your areas. Gregory

AD UNIVERSOS SICILIE EPISCOP0S. Adversus imminentem hostium invasionem binas hebdomadam litanias indicant, et fideles a s@culari perversilale dehortentur. | Gregorius universis episcopis Sicilie. Eeisr. XLIX [Al. 43]. — * In Vatic. A, qui pene s0lus cum Remig. et Victor. epistolam hanc exhi- bet, et restiarium. Eersr. L [Al. 44]. — * Apud Gratianum, loco laudato, nec quondam. © De ea Supra. Vide novell. Jystiniani 123, ec. 40, que videlur posse explicari de matrimonio rato, quod tunc non venit in mentem 8ancti Gregorii. Nunc aem matrimonium ratum $0lvitur religionis in- benignus et milis est, si nos a malis nostris emen- datos sua viderit mandata diligere, et hic nos potens est ab hosle deſendere, et in futuro zterna nobis gaudia preparare. (Cf, Joan. Diac. |. 1v, c. 33.) EPISTOLA LII.! AD DONUM MESSANENSEM EPISCOPUM, 1d compleatur quod Placidum inter et Messanensis Ecclesic actores judicatum est. Gregorius Dono episcopo Mes«anensi. Nullus unquam contentionibus finis imponitur, $i impleri ea que judicata fuerint differantur. Filius itaque noster Placidus, vir magnificus, questus est D nobis ea qua inter eum et actores Ecclesiz vestr Dei judicio definita sunt ſraternitatem vestram nolle complere. Quod si ita est miramur, ut dum quieti vestrz vos deceat studere, contentionis yobis scru- pulum reservetis. Proinde scriptis vos przsentibus gressu, modo non ſyerit consummatum. Quid si eo- pula precesserit nuplias, poteritne vir uxore invita religiunem ingredi? Gussaxv. Ista novella Jaudatur ad hunc canonem in novissima corporis juris can. Editione; verum pro c. 40 as$ignatur c. 58, ut est divisa novella apud Julianum. Eeisr. Ll | Al. 4]. — * Litania a verbo Graco Miooeua, 8upplico, 8ignificat hic 8 Fe publi- cam. Nomen sumpsit a verbis illis Kyrie eleigon, que - premittuntur. Hine sanctus Benedictus reg. Cc. 9, ost hoc.... supplicatio litanie, id est Kyrie eleison. De is ſuse in notis ad lib. Sacram, et infra in appets dice epistolarum, - SANCTI GREGORH MAGNL adbortamur ut subtiliter requirere debeatis. Et £1 A natus vos ſuerit exeusare, de nostris tamen adhue guid minus impletum eat, 8i tamen nibil est quod juste pogsit obgistere;, sige discordia compleatur; qualenyus * nee Supradictus magniſicus vir se quera- luc irrationabiliter ſatigari, nec vos contra ordinis yesLlri propogitum videamini despexisse quod juslum est. Þ Datum mense Junii, indict. 4.