Gregory to Passivus, bishop of Fermo. Your Fraternity well knows (Gratian, dist. 61, c. 18) how long a time Aprutium has been destitute of pastoral solicitude. There we have long sought who ought to be ordained, and we could by no means find him. But since Opportunus is said to be greatly praised in his morals, in his study of psalmody, in his love of prayer, and to lead in every way a religious life, we wish that your Fraternity cause him to come to it, and admonish him concerning his soul, that he may grow in good pursuits. And if no crimes which by the rule of the sacred law are to be punished with death oppose him, then he is to be exhorted to become either a monk or, by you, a subdeacon.
And afterward, when a little time has passed, if it please God, let him be advanced to the pastoral office in due course. But if any grave matters stand in the way, he must all the more be admonished to forsake the world and to bewail these things more perfectly. I ask, moreover, that you should pray for me, since I am worn down by many tribulations of heart together with grievous pains of body.