To Various Bishops of Gaul, Commending the Monks Sent to Augustine

Gregory to Mennas of Toulon, Serenus of Marseilles, Lupus of Chalon-sur-Saône, Aigulfus of Metz, Simplicius of Paris, Melantius of Rouen, and Licinius, bishops of the Franks. Sent in identical copies. [a]

The care of the office you have taken on reminds your fraternity how you ought to help religious men with all your efforts, especially those who labor for the sake of souls. Yet it is not beside the point for a letter from us to stir up your diligence, since, as a fire grows larger from a gust of wind, so the purposes of a good disposition are advanced by encouragement. Through the cooperating grace of our Redeemer, so great a multitude of the nation of the Angles is being converted to the grace of the Christian faith that our most reverend common brother and fellow bishop Augustine declares that those who are with him cannot suffice to carry out this work in its different places. We have therefore provided for him by sending a few monks with our most beloved common sons Laurentius the presbyter and Mellitus the abbot. So let your fraternity show them the love that becomes you, and make haste to help them wherever there may be need, so that through your assistance they may have no cause for delay in your regions. Then they themselves may rejoice with you in being relieved by your comfort, and you, by giving them your help, may be found sharers in the cause for which they have been sent. [b]