To Arigius, Patrician of Gaul, Commending Augustine

Gregory to Arigius, patrician of Gaul. [a]

We have learned from the servant of God Augustine, who carries this letter, how great a goodness and how great a gentleness, together with the love that pleases Christ, shine out in you. And we give thanks to Almighty God, who has granted you these gifts of his loving-kindness, through which you may come to be highly esteemed among men and, what is truly profitable, glorious in his sight. So we pray Almighty God to multiply in you these gifts he has granted, to keep you and all who are yours under his protection, and so to order your glory’s doings in this world that they may be to your benefit both here and, what is more to be desired, in the life to come. Greeting your glory, then, with a father’s sweetness, we ask that the bearer of this letter and the servants of God who are with him may have your help in what they need, so that, as they experience your favor, they may the better carry out what they have been charged to do. Furthermore, we commend to you in every respect our son the presbyter Candidus, whom we have sent to manage the patrimony of our church in your parts, trusting that your glory will receive a reward in return from our God if you lend your help with a devout mind to the concerns of the poor.