Gregory to Pelagius of Tours and Serenus of Marseilles, bishops of the Gauls, equally. Although among priests having a charity pleasing to God, religious men need no commendation, nevertheless, because a fitting time for writing has presented itself, we have taken care to send our writings to your Fraternity, making known the bearer of the present letter, Augustine, a servant of God, of whose zeal we are certain, that we have directed him, with other servants of God, thither for the profit of souls, the Lord aiding. It is necessary that your Holiness hasten to aid him with sacerdotal zeal, and to furnish him your consolations.
To him also, that you may be able to show yourselves the more ready to give support, we have enjoined to indicate the matter to you subtly, knowing that, once it is known, you will apply yourselves with all devotion for God's sake to giving solace, since the matter demands it. Moreover, Candidus, a presbyter, our common son, whom we have sent for the governance of the little patrimony of our Church, we commend in all things to your Charity. Given on the tenth day of the Kalends of August, in the fourteenth indiction.