The pastor of souls must be near to all in understanding, and must be exalted above all in contemplation, so that through his deep love he can take the weakness of others on to himself, and go beyond himself with the loftiness of his contemplation and his desire for invisible things.
In seeking such high things, may he not despise the weakness of his neighbour, and in adapting himself to their weakness, may he not cease to aim for such higher things...
The behaviour of pastors should be such that their subjects are not afraid to reveal their secrets to them; so that when, afflicted by the waves of temptation, the little ones come to his heart like babies to their mother’s breast, they can with the aid of exhortations and tearful prayers be washed from the stains of guilt that they feel.
San Gregorio Magno
Regola pastorale 5
La teologia dei Padri/4, Città Nuova, Roma 1975, p. 124