Letters184 Letter CLXXXIV. To the Lord pope innocent (A.D. 1140)
Letter CLXXXIV. To the Lord pope innocent (A.D. 1140)
He excuses himself for not being well able to send the monks asked of him.
We have received again my brother Andrew * safe and in good spirits, and bringing good news of your safety and glory, of the peace and prosperity of the Church, of the flourishing and powerful state of the Roman Curia, and lastly of the favour and good-will which you still have for me. God in His mercy has dealt well with me: He has made me joyful. But your wish that we should send brothers to you will be with difficulty complied with, chiefly because we have not the number of members we once had. Indeed, besides those who have been destined in twos or threes to different cells, three new monasteries have been wholly founded out of them since I left you, and others are about to be founded. Still I will take care to summon from all our houses some whom I may send you, as I desire in all things to obey your commands."
Fratrem Andream laetum incolumemque suscepimus, et laeta nuntiantem de vestra incolumitate et gloria, de pace et prosperitate Ecclesiae, de curiae statu florente et valente, postremo de gratia et benevolentia, quae nobis apud vos perseverat. Bene sua misericordia Deus dignatus est facere nobiscum; facti sumus laetantes. Verum quod vobis de mittendis ad vos fratribus placet, difficile adimplebitur, praesertim cum non sit copia personarum quae esse solebat. Siquidem praeter illos qui bini, aut terni [ al. trini ad diversa destinati sunt loca; tria ex eis nova monasteria, ex quo a vobis discessimus, integre ordinata sunt; et adhuc restant alia proxime ordinanda. Curamus tamen undecunque evocare, quos vobis mittamus; cupientes per omnia vestris obedire mandatis.