To Pelagius and Serenus, Bishops in Gaul, Commending Augustine

Gregory to Pelagius of Turni and Serenus of Marseilles, bishops of Gaul. Sent in identical copies. [a] With priests who have the love that pleases God, religious men need no commendation. Yet since a suitable time for writing has come up, we have thought it right to send a letter to your fraternity, telling you that, with the help of the Lord and for the good of souls, we have sent into your parts the servant of God Augustine, of whose earnestness we are sure, with other servants of God. Your holiness must assist him with a priest’s earnestness and make haste to give him your help. So that you may be the readier to support him, we have also told him to make you fully acquainted with the business he has in hand, knowing that once you know of it, you will give yourselves with entire devotion, for God’s sake, to helping him as the case requires. Moreover, we commend in every way to your love our common son, the presbyter Candidus, whom we have sent to manage the patrimony of our church. Given on the tenth day before the Kalends of August, in the fourteenth indiction. [c]