Letter 1001: Ad Vitalem episcopum Ravennensem

I. To Vitalis, Bishop of Ravenna Bishop of the Lord, living for the ages by your merits, you who as a shepherd hold the joys of Christ's flock: when antiquity wished to call you Vitalis ['life-giving'], it knew that you had merited the eternal day. A worthy priest, shining forth with an apostolic mind, you who in holiness establish such devout temples for Andrew. How fittingly, in keeping with his merits, has he taken his seat in the Lord's hall, through whom a house worthy of God has been built! You have received from the Lord the summit for which you are founding summits: to him who gave you worthy gifts you repay the turn in kind with honor. The mighty hall gleams, finished in solid metal, where day continues on without any night. The place itself invites God under perpetual light, that with gentle steps he may enter his dwelling in love. You who give places to the peoples, where they may forever adore the Lord, so that they may obtain pardon, you make yourself to be the way. Grace, mind, spirit, goodness, and the love of the people, both your rank and your piety, have granted you to be a father. Your prosperity proves itself, which, fulfilling these joys, has brought distinguished men to your vows. On this side the duke shines in arms, on that side the prefect in laws: there have come those through whom festivals are wont to grow. That honor might not be lacking to you, God has increased a bountiful people, who saw that this was your understanding's wish. The mystery of the faith has fulfilled the vows of the one who asks: happy is he to whom the Lord himself conveys the very things you desire! May you celebrate very many solemn rites by divine gift, and, flourishing, may you tend the temples of God by establishing them.

I Ad Vitalem episcopum Ravennensem Antistes domini, meritis in saecula vivens, gaudia qui Christi de grege pastor habes: cum te Vitalem voluit vocitare vetustas, noverat aeternum te meruisse diem; dignus apostolica praefulgens mente sacerdos, qui sacer Andreae tam pia templa locas. quam bene pro meritis domini consedit in aula, per quem digna deo est aedificata domus! sumpsisti a domino culmen cui culmina condis: qui tibi digna dedit reddis honore vicem. emicat aula potens, solido perfecta metallo, quo sine nocte manet continuata dies, invitat locus ipse deum sub luce perenni, gressibus ut placidis intret amando lares. qui loca das populis. dominum quo semper adorent, ut capiant veniam te facis esse viam. gratia mens animus bonitas dilectio plebis et gradus et pietas te dedit esse patrem. prosperitas se vestra probat, quae gaudia supplens intulit egregios ad tua vota viros. dux nitet hinc armis. praefectus legibus illinc: venerunt per quos crescere festa solent. ne tibi desit honor, populum deus auxit opimum, qui vidit sensum hoc voluisse tuum. mysterium fidei conplevit vota petenti: felix cui dominus quae cupis ipsa vehit! plurima divino celebres sollemnia dono atque dei florens templa locando colas.