From Three Bishops of Gaul, Thanking Leo for the Tome

Ceretius, Salonius and Veranus, to the holy lord, most blessed father, and pope most worthy of the Apostolic See, Leo. [a]

We have read your excellency’s letter, which you composed to give instruction in the faith and sent to the bishop of Constantinople. Since we have been enriched with so great a wealth of teaching, we thought it our duty to pay our debt of thanks, at least by writing you a letter. For we value your fatherly concern on our behalf, and we confess that we owe all the more to your care, which came ahead of the need, because we now have the benefit of the remedy before we have felt the evils. You know that remedies applied after the wounds have been inflicted come almost too late, and so, with the voice of loving forethought, you warn us to arm ourselves with those apostolic means of defense. We acknowledge frankly, most blessed pope, with what singular loving kindness you have shared with us the innermost thoughts of your heart, by whose power you secure the safety of others. While you draw out of the hearts of others the poison that the old serpent poured into them, you stand, as it were, on the watchtower of love, and with apostolic care and watchfulness you cry aloud, so that the enemy may not come upon us unawares and off our guard, and careless ease may not lay us open to attack, holy lord, most blessed father and pope, most worthy of the Apostolic See. Moreover, we who belong to you in a special way are filled with a great and unspeakable delight, because this special statement of your teaching is held in such high regard wherever the churches meet together that all are of one opinion: the primacy is rightly given to the Apostolic See, from which the oracles of the apostolic Spirit still receive their interpretation. [b]

So, if you think it worthwhile, we beg your holiness to read through this work, so valuable both now and for the future, which in our desire to preserve it we have had copied onto parchment, and to correct any mistake of the copyist. Or, if in your zeal you have thought of anything further that will profit all who read it, give orders in your loving care that it be added to this copy. Then, when it is sent back to us corrected by your holy hand, not only many holy bishops, our brothers throughout the provinces of Gaul, but also many of your sons among the laity, who greatly desire to see this letter because it reveals the truth, may be allowed to copy it, read it and keep it. If you think fit, we are anxious for our messengers to return soon, so that we may the sooner have news of your good health to rejoice over; for your well-being is our joy and our health.

May Christ the Lord long keep your eminence mindful of our humility, holy lord, most blessed father and pope most worthy of the Apostolic See.

I, Ceretius, your adopted son, salute your apostleship and commend myself to your prayers. [c] I, Salonius, who venerate you, salute your apostleship and ask the help of your prayers. I, Veranus, who revere your apostleship, salute your blessedness and beg you to pray for me. [d]