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| St Gregory - Pope and Doctor of the Church |
c.540 – March 12th 604
Feast Day: 3rd September
Patronage: educators, England, gout, masons, musicians, papacy, plague, Popes, schoolchildren, singers, stone masons, stonecutters, students, teachers, West Indies
Also known as Gregory I. Gregory was the son of a wealthy Roman senator and St Silvia, and nephew of St Emililana and St Tarsilla. He was prefect of Rome when he decided to renounce the world, sell his possessions and enter a Benedictine monastery. He then used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. When he encountered fair-skinned English children being sold as slaves in the Roman Forum he is said to have exclaimed; “Non Angli, sed angeli – “They are not Angles but Angels” and been inspired to send St Augustine to England to convert the English. Other missionaries were sent to Spain, France and Africa. He was ordained deacon and sent on a papal mission to Constantinople from 580-585. Five years later, on September 5th 590, Gregory became the first monk to be elected Pope, by unanimous acclamation. His sermons, writings, commentaries and liturgical reforms were extensive and remain influential to the present day. “Gregorian” chant is named after St Gregory because it is traditionally thought that he ordered its cataloguing and use in church celebrations. During much of his life he suffered ill health but even when he was dying he dictated letters and indicated his wishes for the needs of the church. He was canonized immediately after his death by popular acclaim.
Also known as Gregory I. Gregory was the son of a wealthy Roman senator and St Silvia, and nephew of St Emililana and St Tarsilla. He was prefect of Rome when he decided to renounce the world, sell his possessions and enter a Benedictine monastery. He then used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. When he encountered fair-skinned English children being sold as slaves in the Roman Forum he is said to have exclaimed; “Non Angli, sed angeli – “They are not Angles but Angels” and been inspired to send St Augustine to England to convert the English. Other missionaries were sent to Spain, France and Africa. He was ordained deacon and sent on a papal mission to Constantinople from 580-585. Five years later, on September 5th 590, Gregory became the first monk to be elected Pope, by unanimous acclamation. His sermons, writings, commentaries and liturgical reforms were extensive and remain influential to the present day. “Gregorian” chant is named after St Gregory because it is traditionally thought that he ordered its cataloguing and use in church celebrations. During much of his life he suffered ill health but even when he was dying he dictated letters and indicated his wishes for the needs of the church. He was canonized immediately after his death by popular acclaim.
Gregory has been given a place with Augustine, Ambrose and Jerome as one of the four key doctors of the Western Church.
Can you find Gregory on the Year of Faith Time line
What can you see in the picture that shows Gregory was a Pope?
Can you see a symbol of the Holy Spirit?
What can you see in the picture that shows Gregory was a Pope?
Can you see a symbol of the Holy Spirit?