Epistle
XI.
To Clementina, Patrician
1314
.
Gregory to Clementina, &c.
Having received your Glory’s letter speaking
of the passing away of the late Eutherius of magnificent memory, we
give you to understand that our mind no less than yours is disturbed by
such a sorrow, in that we see how men of approved repute are by degrees
removed from this world, whose ruin is already evidenced in the actual
effects of the causes thereof. But it becomes us to withdraw
ourselves from it by the wise precaution of conversion
1315
, lest it involve us too in its own
ruin. And indeed our sorrow for the loss of friends ought to be
the more tolerable as our condition of mortality requires from us that
we should lose them. Nevertheless, for the loss of aid to our
carnal life He Who granted permission for its removal is powerful to
console, and to come Himself as a comforter into the vacant
place.
That we are unable to accede to your request that
the deacon Anatholius should be sent to you is due to the circumstances
of the case, and not to any rigorous austerity. For we have
appointed him our steward
1316
, having
committed our episcopal residence to his management.
1314
Another Epistle, X.
15, is addressed to the same lady.
1315
The word
conversio
commonly denotes entering a monastery.
1316
Vicedominum
.