Letter of Encouragement to Augustine
Overview
According to Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People, on their journey to England, Augustine and his fellow monks were overcome with fear and seriously considered abandoning their mission to return home. The specific challenges they encountered are not detailed, but it was a difficult and daunting journey. Augustine, who was leading the mission, was even chosen to be the one to return. However, this decision did not sit well with Pope Gregory, who sent Augustine back with two letters: one containing words of encouragement and support, and the other addressed to Etherius, the bishop of Lyons.
The letter appears to have achieved what Gregory hoped for, as Augustine and his group continued on their journey and successfully arrived in Kent in 597 CE.
Gregory, servant of servants of God, to the servants of our Lord.
My dearly beloved sons, it would have been better not to have undertaken a noble task than to deliberately turn back from what you have begun: so it is right that you should carry on with all diligence this good work which you have started with the help of the Lord. Therefore do not let the challenging journey, nor the tongues of evil speakers, deter you. Be sure that, however great the task may be, the glory of your eternal reward will still be greater. When Augustine your prior returns, now, by our appointment, your abbot, humbly obey him in all things, in all respects nourishing to your souls. May God Almighty protect you by His grace and grant that I may see the fruit of you labors in our heavenly home. Though I cannot labor with you, because I would have indeed been glad to do so, I hope to share in the joy of your reward. May God keep you safe, my dearly loved sons.
Given on the 23 July, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our most religious emperor Maurice Tiberius, and the thirteenth year after his consulship, and the fourteenth indiction.
Related Topics
Further Research & References
Bede, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008, p. 37-38.
Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity. Vol. 1, Beginnings to 1500. New York City, NY: Harper & Row Publishers Inc., 1975.
Southern, R. W. Western Society and the Church in The Middle Ages, New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1970.