Pope Saint Gregory the Great (540-604)
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez
(CNA) Born in Italy Rome, Gregory received an education in the liberal arts and law, together with receiving a critical Christian foundation in his youthful days from his mother also St. Silvia of Rome (Feast Day: 03 November) and his family, Aunties: St. Emiliana and St. Trasilla together with the influences left on his family by Gregory’s Great-Grandfather Pope Saint Felix III
By the age of 30, Gregory was successful in advancing to high political office in Rome, during what was nevertheless a period of marked decline for the city.
After (nearly) 5 years on office according to Franciscan Media Gregory chose to resign his position, founded 6 Monasteries on his Sicilian estate and became a Benedictine Monk in his home at Rome under the Patronage of St. Andrew according to EWTN probably in 574
In 578 much against Gregory’s will, the Pope ordered him out of seclusion, Ordained him a Priest and made Fr. Gregory one of the Pope’s Seven Deacons of Rome, also serving in the East as Papal representative in Constantinople — In either the year 585 or 586 Fr. Gregory was recalled to Rome and with the greatest of joy returned to the monasteries of St. Andrew (that he founded) which he became Abbot soon thereafter, growing famous under his enthusiastic and energetic tenure, producing many Monks — On this date in 590 at the age of 50 Gregory was elected Pope by the Clergy and people of Rome.
As Pope, Gregory was direct and firm, removing unworthy Priests from office together with forbidding the taking of money for many services. Pope Gregory emptied the Papal treasury to pay the ransom of prisoners from the Lombards and to care for the persecuted Jews together with caring for victims of plague and famine. Pope Gregory was also very concerned about the spirituality of England and sent there 40 Monks from the Monastery that he had founded. — Pope Gregory is known for his reform of the liturgy and for strengthening respect for doctrine.
An Anglican historian has written: “It’s impossible to conceive what would have been the confusion, the lawlessness, the chaotic state of the Middle Ages without the medieval Papacy and of the medieval Papacy, the real Father is Gregory the Great.”
Pope Saint Gregory’s book Pastoral Care on the duties and qualities of a Bishop, was read for centuries following his death. Pope Gregory described Bishops mainly as physicians whose main duties were preaching and the enforcement of discipline. In his own down to earth ministry, Pope Saint Gregory was skilled at applying the daily Gospel to the needs of his listeners.
Called ‘The Great’ Pope Saint Gregory the Great, has been given a place with Saint Augustine (Feast Day: 28 August) Saint Ambrose (Feast Day: 07 December) and Saint Jerome (Feast Day: 30 September) as one of the four key Doctors of the Western Church.
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