Gregory the Great (Wisigothic)→Unknown|gregory great
Gregory to Mastalo [a layman in Visigothic Spain].
From the report of our representatives [*responsales*, papal agents], we have learned that so great a fire of divine zeal for the love of Church unity has kindled in you that you do not cease to call back to the bosom of Mother Church whomever you can, and that, as a good and faithful servant, you do not stop striving with the utmost concentration of mind to make a daily profit from the gift you have received for our Lord and Redeemer. Indeed, when you came to us, we learned what we could from seeing you in person; but the good that lay hidden in the love of your heart through divine inspiration, we now recognize more fully through the testimony of your deeds.
Therefore, giving thanks to divine mercy with unspeakable praise, we encourage your devotion and strengthen you with whatever exhortations we can, so that — just as the punishment of the one who hid the talent he received disturbs you — so too may the Lord's invitation to those who made a profit, and who therefore rejoice in obtaining the heavenly kingdom, strengthen you to pursue that same reward with eager desire.
For you should know, dearest son, that the fruit of this endeavor you have undertaken will not lack its reward. And therefore no opposition from those who hinder you — even if it exists — should trouble you, because the greater the difficulty of the cause from which good is accomplished with the Lord's help, the more glorious will be your hope of reward. For the most excellent victory is that which is won from a seemingly hopeless situation through the sweat of tremendous labor.
We have also learned that our son Theodosius [likely a local nobleman], your follower and fellow worker in this good endeavor, keeps diligent watch alongside you in the effort to win souls. We are confident that almighty God, through the intercession of blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, will swiftly be his rewarder.
Gregory to Mastalo [a layman in Visigothic Spain].
From the report of our representatives [*responsales*, papal agents], we have learned that so great a fire of divine zeal for the love of Church unity has kindled in you that you do not cease to call back to the bosom of Mother Church whomever you can, and that, as a good and faithful servant, you do not stop striving with the utmost concentration of mind to make a daily profit from the gift you have received for our Lord and Redeemer. Indeed, when you came to us, we learned what we could from seeing you in person; but the good that lay hidden in the love of your heart through divine inspiration, we now recognize more fully through the testimony of your deeds.
Therefore, giving thanks to divine mercy with unspeakable praise, we encourage your devotion and strengthen you with whatever exhortations we can, so that — just as the punishment of the one who hid the talent he received disturbs you — so too may the Lord's invitation to those who made a profit, and who therefore rejoice in obtaining the heavenly kingdom, strengthen you to pursue that same reward with eager desire.
For you should know, dearest son, that the fruit of this endeavor you have undertaken will not lack its reward. And therefore no opposition from those who hinder you — even if it exists — should trouble you, because the greater the difficulty of the cause from which good is accomplished with the Lord's help, the more glorious will be your hope of reward. For the most excellent victory is that which is won from a seemingly hopeless situation through the sweat of tremendous labor.
We have also learned that our son Theodosius [likely a local nobleman], your follower and fellow worker in this good endeavor, keeps diligent watch alongside you in the effort to win souls. We are confident that almighty God, through the intercession of blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, will swiftly be his rewarder.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.