Epistle LVI.
To Peter, Subdeacon.
Gregory to Peter, &c.
Being exceedingly desirous of observing the
festivals of saints, we have thought it needful to address this our
letter of direction to thy Experience, informing thee that we have
arranged for the dedication with all solemnity, with the help of the
Lord
, in the month of August, of the Oratory
of the Blessed Mary lately built in the cell of brethren where the
abbot Marinianus is known to preside, to the end that what we have
begun may through the
Lord’s
operation
be completed. But, inasmuch as the poverty of that cell requires
that we should assist in that day of festival, we therefore desire thee
to give for celebrating the dedication, to be distributed to the poor,
ten
solidi
in gold, thirty
amphoræ
of wine, two
hundred lambs, two
orcæ
of oil, twelve wethers, and a
hundred hens, which may be afterwards charged in thy accounts.
Provide therefore for this being done at once without any delay, that
our desires,
God
granting it, may take speedy
effect.