Letter 9093: The bearers of these presents, who come to us from the Istrian parts, have reported such good things of your Glory as to inflame us ardently to return you thanks. For we learn that, among the cares of the government of those parts which has been committed to you, you are especially anxious to win souls, and that you so take pains to recall the h...

Gregory to Gulfaris, magister militum [military commander]. The people who came to us from Istria [a region at the head of the Adriatic, where many bishops remained in the "Three Chapters" schism] have spoken so well of your Glory that I feel compelled to thank you warmly. I hear that amid the responsibilities of governing that region, you are especially focused on winning souls and working to restore those who have wandered back to the unity of the Church. Your desire, as far as it lies in your power, is that no one there should remain separated from the Apostolic Church. Such love for Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, burns in you that you long with all your heart to restore his sheepfold -- the one to whom the Lord entrusted the keys. Glorious son, look forward with confidence to the divine reward for this work. The apostle James confirms it: "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20). However great temporal wealth or prosperity may be, it all ends at death. But the work of winning souls carries a certain hope -- the promise of eternal life. I urge your Glory with fatherly affection: press forward even more earnestly in this zeal for the unity of our holy faith, which the Author of unity himself has given you. Recall whomever you can from schism into the embrace of Mother Church, and nurture them with constant encouragement. Also make sure to protect those who return -- shield them so thoroughly that those still in error have no opening to attack converts for coming back to the truth.

Book IX, Letter 93 To Gulfaris, Magister Militum . Gregory to Gulfaris, etc. The bearers of these presents, who come to us from the Istrian parts, have reported such good things of your Glory as to inflame us ardently to return you thanks. For we learn that, among the cares of the government of those parts which has been committed to you, you are especially anxious to win souls, and that you so take pains to recall the hearts of wanderers to the unity of the Church that, as far as your desire goes, you would have no one there separated from the Apostolic Church; and that so great love of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, inflames you that you long with all your heart to restore the sheepfold of him to whom the keys were delivered by the Lord the Creator of all. Have, glorious son, from such and so great a work, a confident anticipation of divine retribution, wherein not only our admonition but also the words of the apostle confirm you, since he who shall have caused a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins James 5. For, however great be temporal affluence, or at any rate prosperity, it has its end — the limit of death. But this pursuit of winning souls, which you have taken up, retains the certainty of its hope fixed; to wit, the retribution of eternal life. Wherefore, greeting you with fatherly affection, we exhort your Glory that you the more earnestly give effect to the zeal for the unity of our holy faith which the Author of unity Himself has given you; and that, recalling whomsoever you can from the error of their schism into the bosom of Mother Church, you cherish them with continual admonition. And accomplish this also — so to protect with the succour of your defense those whom the Lord through you may grant to be restored to His fold that there may be no quarter to which those who are still in error may be able to resort for the accusation of such as return to sound counsels. For, while you uphold the cause of God on earth, He Himself will prosperously direct your actions here with the aid of His protection, and there will remain for you, in the eternal life which you long for, retribution for your so great well-doing. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360209093.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.