Letter 6057: We have learned from the servant of God, Augustine, the bearer of these presents, how great goodness, how great gentleness, with the charity that is well-pleasing to Christ, is in you resplendent; and we give thanks to Almighty God, who has granted you these gifts of His loving-kindness, through which you may have it in your power to be highly e...

Gregory to Arigius, Patrician of Gaul. We have learned from the servant of God Augustine, the bearer of these presents, what great goodness, what gentleness, and what charity pleasing to Christ shine forth in you; and we give thanks to Almighty God, who has granted you these gifts of his loving-kindness — through which you may be held in high regard among men, and, what is truly valuable, glorious in his sight. We therefore pray Almighty God to multiply in you the gifts he has granted, to keep you and all who are yours under his protection, and to so direct the actions of your Glory in this world that they may benefit you both here and — what is more to be desired — in the life to come. Greeting your Glory, then, with paternal warmth, we ask that the bearer of these presents and the servants of God accompanying him may find in you the gracious support they need. While they experience your favor, they will the better be able to carry out what has been entrusted to them. Furthermore, we commend to you in every respect our son the priest Candidus, whom we have sent to administer the patrimony of our Church in your region — trusting that your Glory will receive a reward from our God in return, if with a devout heart you lend your support to the affairs of the poor.

Book VI, Letter 57 To Arigius, Patrician. Gregory to Arigius, Patrician of Gaul. We have learned from the servant of God, Augustine, the bearer of these presents, how great goodness, how great gentleness, with the charity that is well-pleasing to Christ, is in you resplendent; and we give thanks to Almighty God, who has granted you these gifts of His loving-kindness, through which you may have it in your power to be highly esteemed among men, and — what is truly profitable — glorious in His sight. We therefore pray Almighty God, that He would multiply in you these gifts which He has granted, and keep you with all yours under His protection, and so dispose the doings of your Glory in this world that they may be to your benefit both here, and — what is more to be wished — in the life to come. Saluting, then, your Glory with paternal sweetness, we beg of you that the bearer of these presents, and the servants of God who are with him, may obtain your succour in what is needful, to the end that, while they experience your favour, they may the better fulfil what has been enjoined on them to do. Furthermore, we commend to you in all respects our son the presbyter Candidus, whom we have sent for the government of the patrimony of our Church which is in your parts; trusting that your Glory will receive a reward in return from our God, if with devout mind you lend your succour to the concerns of the poor.