Epistle XII.
To Castorius, Bishop of Ariminum.
Gregory to Castorius, &c.
The illustrious lady Timothea has intimated to us
by a petitionary notification, as is set forth below, that she has
founded an oratory within the city of Ariminum in a place belonging to
her, which she desires to have consecrated in honour of the holy
cross. And, accordingly, dearest brother, if the said
construction is in the jurisdiction of thy city, and if it is known
that no body has been buried there, then, after reception in the first
place of a legitimate endowment, that is, of two-thirds of her whole
property (excepting slaves), of her movables and fixtures and live
stock, the usufract being reserved to her for her life, and such
endowment having been secured by municipal deeds, thou wilt solemnly
consecrate the aforesaid oratory without any public mass, on the
condition that no baptistery shall be constructed in the same place in
future times, and that thou appoint not a cardinal presbyter
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. And if perchance she should prefer
having masses said there, let her know that she must ask thy Love for a
presbyter, to the end nothing else may be presumed by any other priest
whatever. Further, thou wilt reverently deposit the holy
things
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she has
provided.
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See I. 79, note
5.
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Sanctuaria
,
meaning apparently relics, the deposition of which usually accompanied
the consecration of holy places.