A Discourse on the Albigensian Heresy

...perience, having embraced this life; thus you brought a knowledge and experience of the greatest matters along with a purity of character already observed and approved by all. In only a few—or rather, not very many—years since you entered this profession, you have traversed with the greatest speed all the ranks pertaining to teaching and governing, and you have clearly demonstrated to everyone what kind of man and how great a leader you are.

You taught Philosophy and the science of natural things in that famous city which was the most ancient home of the liberal arts and disciplines in Italy, Perugia original: "Perusiæ"; the capital of the Umbria region, home to one of the oldest universities in Italy.. In this city [Rome], which is the leader not only of Empire but also of learning, you spent four years explaining that branch of Theology Theology: the study of religious belief and the nature of God. which is dedicated to extracting and clarifying the true and authentic meaning of the Prince of Theologians, St. Thomas original: "S. Thomæ"; referring to St. Thomas Aquinas, the 13th-century Dominican scholar whose "Summa Theologiae" became the standard for Catholic teaching.. You did this with the greatest clarity of understanding, richness of speech, and ease of debate.

You governed the Province of Aragon A region in northeastern Spain. as the supreme moderator of that same Order with the utmost holiness and wisdom. Finally, you were chosen by the Most Reverend and Distinguished Bremond original: "Bremondio"; likely a reference to a previous Superior General or high official whom the current Patron assisted. to assist him in governing the Spanish provinces. You so proved your worth to him, to your peers, and to the entire Order, that after he was taken from this light A poetic Latin idiom for passing away., they judged you worthy to be given the helm—not merely of one part of this most distinguished and religious family The author continues to use "family" to refer to the religious Order., but of the entire organization.

Therefore, since you are a man of such character and greatness, and since you have arrived at this highest dignity at this time and place, should I not believe it was divinely ordained that you were called to be a Patron to me and my studies? But these are the things I have mentioned so far...