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'''St. Gregory the Great''' (b. 540, died 604) also known as Pope Gregory I, other than St. Leo, only St. Gregory was given the title 'The Great.' Survived the plague, barbarian wars and lived through the collapse of [[Rome]] and the end of Roman Emperors. <ref>[http://saints.sqpn.com/saintg02.htm Pope Saint Gregory the Great] Star Quest Production Network</ref> He was a vigilant guardian of the Church’s doctrine. Founder of numerous monestaries including a school for the training of church musicians. Collected the melodies and plain chant so associated with him that they are now known as Gregorian Chants. A [[Monk]], an [[abbot]], a leader of [[Italy]], a momentous influence on the doctrine, the organization, and the discipline of the [[Catholic Church]]. Gregory of Tours tells us that in grammar, rhetoric and dialectic he was so skillful as to be thought second to none in all Rome. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm Pope St. Gregory I ("the Great")] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> A patron saint of England for sending St. Augustine of Canterbury on mission there. Gregory's greatest accomplishments would be his writings ''Dialogues'', a book on the Lives of the Saints. Proclaimed a [[Doctor of the Church]] by Pope Boniface VIII in 1295.
'''St. Gregory the Great''' (b. 540, died 604) also known as Pope Gregory I, other than [[St. Leo]], only St. Gregory was given the title 'The Great.' He became Pope in 590 and was a vigilant guardian of the Church’s doctrine. He was the founder of numerous [[monestaries]] including a school for the training of church musicians. He collected the melodies and plain chant so associated with him that they are now known as [[Gregorian Chant]]s.<ref>[http://saints.sqpn.com/saintg02.htm Pope Saint Gregory the Great] Star Quest Production Network</ref> In his life he was a [[Monk]], an [[abbot]], a leader of [[Italy]], a momentous influence on the doctrine, the organization, and the discipline of the [[Catholic Church]]. Gregory of Tours tells us that in grammar, rhetoric and dialectic he was so skillful as to be thought second to none in all Rome. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm Pope St. Gregory I ("the Great")] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> Gregory became a patron saint of England for sending St. Augustine of Canterbury on missions there. Gregory's greatest accomplishments was his writings ''Dialogues'', a book on the Lives of the Saints.
He was proclaimed a [[Doctor of the Church]] by [[Pope Boniface VIII]] in 1295.
==Early Life==
==Early Life==
Gregory was born in Rome as Gregorius to father Gordianus, a wealthy [[Roman]] senator who owned large estates in [[Sicily]]. Gregory's mother is honored as [[Saint Silvia]] and he was the nephew of [[Saint Emiliana]] and [[Saint Tarsilla]] as well as being the great-grandson of [[Pope Saint Felix III]]. Gregory was educated by the finest teachers in Rome. Following in his father's footsteps, he embarked upon a political career. He loved to meditate on the Scriptures and to listen attentively to the conversations of his elders, so that he was "devoted to God from his youth up". <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm Pope St. Gregory I ("the Great")] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> It was a tumultuous time in Italian history. The fall of the Roman Empire had left Italy in a power vacuum and ravaged by different tribes. While still a young boy, Rome was first captured by the [[Goths]]. Gregory later witnessed the death of Romans at the hands of [[Lombards]]. The Lombards laid waste to cities, towns and villages. His life would be defined by overcoming six barbarian nations. Gregory had seen orthodox [[Catholicism]] replaced by [[pagan]] [[Anglo-Saxons]] in [[Britain]], pagan [[Franks]] in Northern [[France]], [[Arian]] [[Visigoths]] in Southern France and [[Spain]], the Arian [[Ostrogoths]] in [[Italy]], the Arian [[Vandals]] in North [[Africa]], and finally the Arian [[Burgundians]] in Eastern France. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref> Pope Saint Gregory — who would not only bring order out of all this, but would, as well, lay the foundation of the Church as it would enter the [[Middle Ages]].
After the completion of his law studies, Emperor Justin the Younger appointed Gregory Chief Magistrate of Rome, he highest civil dignity in the city. <ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=54 Saint Gregory the Great] Catholic Online</ref> After the death of his father he built seven monasteries, six in Sicily and one in Rome. The Prefect Gregory, like his parents, disposed of his goods and dedicated himself to the service of his Lord in poverty, chastity and obedience for three years. He became a [[Benedictine]] monk and entered Saint Andrew’s [[Monastery]]. In 578, Pope Benedict I made Gregory one of the seven deacons of Rome.
After the completion of his law studies, Byzantine Emperor [[Justin the Younger]] appointed Gregory Chief Magistrate of Rome, he highest civil dignity in the city. <ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=54 Saint Gregory the Great] Catholic Online</ref> After the death of his father he built seven monasteries, six in Sicily and one in Rome. The Prefect Gregory, like his parents, disposed of his goods and dedicated himself to the service of his Lord in poverty, chastity and obedience for three years. He became a [[Benedictine]] monk and entered Saint Andrew’s [[Monastery]]. In 578, [[Pope Benedict I]] made Gregory one of the seven deacons of Rome.
==Papacy==
==Papacy==
During an attack on Rome by Lombards, Pope Pelagius II sent Deacon Gregory to Constantinopal were he remained six years. Saint Gregory was recalled to Rome in 586. Greatly rejoicing, he returned to his monastery, to be acclaimed its abbot. He found Rome again beset with calamities.
During an attack on Rome by Lombards, [[Pope Pelagius II]] sent Deacon Gregory to the Byzantine capital of [[Constantinople]] were he remained six years. Saint Gregory was recalled to Rome in 586. Greatly rejoicing, he returned to his monastery, to be acclaimed its abbot. He found Rome again beset with calamities.
Saint Gregory’s famous meeting with the [[English]] slaves took place, in the Roman Forum. He says, "What a pity that [[God]]’s grace does not dwell within those beautiful brows!”
Saint Gregory’s famous meeting with the [[English]] slaves took place, in the Roman Forum. He says, "What a pity that [[God]]’s grace does not dwell within those beautiful brows!”
He purchased all of the slaves, brought them back with him to the monastery, cared for them, and instructed and baptized them. Gregory won the permission of Pope Pelagius II to set out with some of his monks for England. The people were so upset the Pope had sent their dear Gregory to England, they demanded that he be recalled immediately, by force if necessary. Gregory returned three days after leaving. He never forgot the peoples of England his zeal for the conversion of the heathen, and in particular of the Angles. Gregory sent an enormous mission to England preaching the faith. It earned for Gregory the title of Apostle to the English, and for the Italian Monk, Augustine, it earned the distinction of being known forever in Heaven and on earth as Saint Augustine of [[Canterbury]]. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref>
He purchased all of the slaves, brought them back with him to the monastery, cared for them, and instructed and [[baptized]] them. Gregory won the permission of Pope Pelagius II to set out with some of his monks for England. The people were so upset the Pope had sent their dear Gregory to England, they demanded that he be recalled immediately, by force if necessary. Gregory returned three days after leaving. He never forgot the peoples of England, his zeal for the conversion of the heathen, and in particular of the Angles. Gregory sent an enormous mission to England preaching the faith. It earned for Gregory the title of Apostle to the English, and for the Italian Monk, Augustine, it earned the distinction of being known forever in Heaven and on earth as Saint Augustine of [[Canterbury]]. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref>
Besides barbarians, great national disasters beseiged Rome. Earthquakes and floods led to great famine, pestilence and plague. Pope Pelagius II caught the plague and died. At that time, it was within the power of the clergy, the senate, and the people to elect a new Pope and without any hesitation, they chose Gregory. September, in 590, after he had first been ordained a priest, Saint Gregory was consecrated Pope and Bishop of Rome, in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Saint Gregory was the first monk to become Pope. His favorite title for this exalted office was "servant of the servants of God." <ref>[http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_author/13/St._Gregory_the_Great.html St. Gregory the Great] Crossroads Initiative</ref> Because of the sheer inability of the rulers of the Eastern Empire to assert any civil authority over Italy and because there was no longer any military authority left in Rome, Pope Gregory was compelled to assume both offices. Gregory looked upon Church and State as co-operating to form a united whole.
Besides barbarians, great national disasters beseiged Rome. Earthquakes and floods led to [[famine]], [[pestilence]] and [[plague]]. Pope Pelagius II caught the plague and died. At that time, it was within the power of the clergy, the senate, and the people to elect a new Pope and without any hesitation, they chose Gregory. September, in 590, after he had first been ordained a priest, Saint Gregory was consecrated Pope and Bishop of Rome, in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Saint Gregory was the first monk to become Pope. His favorite title for this exalted office was "servant of the servants of God." <ref>[http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_author/13/St._Gregory_the_Great.html St. Gregory the Great] Crossroads Initiative</ref> Because of the sheer inability of the rulers of the Eastern Empire to assert any civil authority over Italy and because there was no longer any military authority left in Rome, Pope Gregory was compelled to assume both offices. Gregory looked upon Church and State as co-operating to form a united whole.
Pope Gregory’s constant care was for his bishops and priests. Early in his pontificate, he published his Pastoral Rule, on the duties of a bishop. For centuries, these writings remained the textbook of the clerical life.
Pope Gregory’s constant care was for his bishops and priests. Early in his pontificate, he published his Pastoral Rule, on the duties of a bishop. For centuries, these writings remained the textbook of the clerical life.
On the first of each month, and on the holydays in between, the [[Pope]] would assist and oversee the distribution of meat, fish, vegetables, wheat, corn, oil, cheese, wine and clothing. Gregory forced from the vast papal lands every morsel of food and every bit of wood which could possibly be gathered together to provide for the needs of his impoverished people. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref>
On the first of each month, and on the holy days inbetween, the [[Pope]] would assist and oversee the distribution of meat, fish, vegetables, wheat, corn, oil, cheese, wine and clothing. Gregory sought all of the food and wood in the papal lands that could be gathered to provide for the needs of his impoverished people. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref>
From this time forth the varied populations of Italy looked to the Pope for guidance, and Rome as the papal capital continued to be the centre of the Christian world thanks to St. Gregory.
From that time forth the varied populations of Italy looked to the Pope for guidance, and Rome as the papal capital continued to be the centre of the Christian world thanks to St. Gregory.
==Death==
==Death==
The last years of Gregory's life were filled with every kind of suffering. He died March 12, 604. Immediately, he was laid to rest in front of the sacristy in the portico of St. Peter's Basilica. Since then Gregory's relics have been moved several times.
The last years of Gregory's life were filled with every kind of suffering. He died March 12, 604. Immediately, he was laid to rest in front of the sacristy in the portico of [[St. Peter's Basilica]]. Since then Gregory's [[relic]]s have been moved several times.
==Works==
==Works==