Letter 9161

From: Pope Gregory I To: Mastalones Date: ~599 AD Context: Gregory acknowledges Mastalones's work in correcting schismatics, as reported by Gregory's agents My representatives have given me a very favorable account of your efforts in bringing schismatics back to the unity of the Church. I want you to know that this work is of the highest importance. The wounds of schism are among the most painful that the Body of Christ can suffer, and every soul that returns to communion is a genuine victory. Continue in the same spirit. Use persuasion before compulsion, and truth before authority — but do not hesitate to use authority when persuasion has been tried and has failed. I look forward to hearing further good news.

liesponsalium nostrorum relatione compcrimus, quod pro amore unitatis ccclesiae tantus voB divini zcli ardor accc'nderit, ut, quoscumque valucritis, non desinatis in Binum matris ccclesiae revocare atquc ut bonus fidelisque famulus lucnim cotidic de accvpto dono tuo domino redemptori nostro cum* summa mentis intcntione facere non desistasV £t quidem venientem ad nos, ut potuimus, ex corporalis visuB oHteusione didicimus, bonum vero, quod ex divina inspiratione in mentis tuac caritatc manebat occultum, desidcrabilius nunc operis attcstatione ^* cognoscimus. Unde" divinae misericordiae gratiaB inelfabili laude redderites hortamur dilectionem tuam atque quibus valeraus am- monitionibus confortamua, ut quantum de accepti talcnti occultatione'' occultantis pocna pcrturbat, tantum lucrum facientium atquc pcr hoc dc caeleatis regni pcrccptione laetantium doroinicac vocis invitatio te desidcrabilitcr appetenda corroborct, Scire < namquo tc convenit, dilectissimc fili, quod fruetus huius qucm apprehcndisti studii ro- tributionis suae careat fine. Et idcirco pracpedicDtium te nulla, vcl si cst, debct contrarietas pcrturbarc, quia, quantura ex difficultate causae bonum perBci Domino co- opcrante valuerit, tanto tibi erit et gloriosior" rctributionis spcs. Extollcntior' □amquc nascitur ex dcBperationc victoria, quaecumque laboris nimii fuerit adcpta sudoribus. TiilueritU Ct.3; pirtueritii Vatk. A (ed. M). ') «cismsticiB C2.3. >") aduralioiiB C7; Hdurstiunem C3; abortatiuue C2, *ed cott. m. 2; amore rel nni. coiii. i/omnweii. ") coutiuua C'2. ") buos C/. '') amplLun hMailare Vat.A (ed.M). ■») disp. ope C3. ') hoc verb. om., led m. 2 add. C2. •) exiBlel, tU videtur, Cl, IX, lei. •) om. verba cui I edd.; ut de eodd. n. ^) ita mc in excflUentioT eorr. C2. IX, 161. Moitalo aHas igitoli JUg. Grio. 11. -. m HltMt. Cl.2. «) ila H mCt: gtorioBius C2; glorioKi C luK «ri,- noWia quidam in Uigtria fiiit iM adetar. - Cf. ep. IX, 148 ,GoogIe 162 GBEGORII I. EEGISTRI CogDOTimue etiara, quods TheodoBius'' filius noatcr tui' sequax boDlquc cooperator^ etudii pariter tccum in sollicitudine lucrandarum animarum eoUerter invigilet. Cui omDipotentem Deum interceseione bcati Petri apoatolurum priucipie retributorem citiue eese confidimue.