To Peter the Subdeacon, for the Dedication of an Oratory of Mary

Gregory to Peter, and so on. [a]

Since we very much want to keep the festivals of the saints, we have thought it necessary to send this letter of instruction to your experience. We are letting you know that, with the help of the Lord, we have arranged to dedicate with all solemnity, in the month of August, the oratory of the blessed Mary lately built in the cell of the brothers over which the abbot Marinianus is known to preside, so that what we have begun may be completed through the Lord’s working. But since the poverty of that cell requires us to help on that festival day, we want you to give, for celebrating the dedication and to be distributed to the poor, ten gold solidi, about two hundred gallons of wine, two hundred lambs, two jars of oil, twelve gelded rams, and a hundred hens, which may later be charged in your accounts. See to it, then, that this is done at once without any delay, so that our wishes, God granting, may quickly take effect. [b]