MARY, OUR MOTHER

Saint Gregory the Great,

(540-604)

whose Feast day we celebrate today, was Pope and Doctor of the Church. He was born in Rome and entered the monastic life at St. Andrew's on the Coelian Hill. On September 3, 590, he was elected to the Chair of Peter. In the sixth year of his pontificate, he sent to England forty Benedictine monks of St. Andrew's, with St. Augustine, their prior, as leader of the pioneer mission band. He proved to be a true shepherd by carrying out his office, helping the poor, teaching, spreading and strengthening the faith, dealt courageously with the conquering Lombards, governed both East and West with vigorous humility. He wrote extensively on moral and theological subjects. He renewed the Liturgy (Mass) and endorsed Chant, which is now called Gregorian Chant. He is a Father of the Church.
He died on March 12, (my birthday, so I consider him one of my patron Saints) 604 A.D.

Mass Prayer

Father,

You guide Your people with kindness

and govern us with love.

By the prayers of Saint Gregory

give the spirit of wisdom

to those you have called to lead Your Church.

May the growth of Your people in holiness

be the eternal joy of our shepherds.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.