Letter 9091: Inasmuch as the Father of God's servants whom I had sent to the city of Naples has, by the ordering of God as it has pleased Him, departed this life, it has seemed good to me to send the bearer of these presents, the monk Barbatianus, for the government of the same monks. For the present we decide that he shall be Prior, so that, if his life sho...

Gregory to Fortunatus, Bishop of Naples. The Father of the monks I had sent to Naples has died, as God in his wisdom has willed. I have decided to send the bearer of this letter, the monk Barbatianus, to govern them. For now, he will serve as Prior -- and if his conduct earns your Fraternity's approval after a reasonable period, you may ordain him as their Abbot. He has genuine qualities to commend him. But he also has one significant flaw: he is exceedingly wise in his own estimation. And you know how many branches of sin can grow from that root. Keep a careful watch over him. If you find him growing prudent in leadership and humble in his own mind, then with God's permission, advance him to the dignity of Abbot. But if he makes little progress in humility, delay his ordination and report back to me.

Book IX, Letter 91 To Fortunatus, Bishop of Neapolis (Naples). Gregory to Fortunatus, etc. Inasmuch as the Father of God's servants whom I had sent to the city of Naples has, by the ordering of God as it has pleased Him, departed this life, it has seemed good to me to send the bearer of these presents, the monk Barbatianus, for the government of the same monks. For the present we decide that he shall be Prior, so that, if his life should approve itself to your Fraternity, you may after a little time ordain him as their Father. For he has some good qualities that commend him. But he has this great fault, that he is exceedingly wise in his own conceit. And it is evidently known how many branches of sin may spring from this root. Let your Holiness, therefore, keep careful watch over him; and if you shall find him become wary in government and humble in his own mind, then, with the permission of God, advance him to the dignity of Abbot. But, if he makes little progress in humility, defer his ordination, and report to me .