Early Church Father and Doctor of the Church
Born at Rome about 540 – Died 12 March 604
Pope Saint Gregory I, commonly known as St.
Gregory the Great, was one of the most fascinating of
early Church leaders. Son of a Roman Senator, Saint
Gregory was born in Rome around 540 AD and, following
his father’s footsteps, embarked upon a political career.
He rose through the ranks of civil service and eventually
became Prefect (mayor) of the city of Rome. At that
point, Gregory discerned a call to deeper life with God so
he promptly gave away his wealth to the poor and
entered the monastery of St. Andrew (ca. 574) where
he ultimately became abbot (585). The Pope,
recognizing his talent, and named him as one of the
seven deacons of Rome and then sent him on a
diplomatic mission as papal legate to the imperial city of
Constantinople where he remained for five years. Upon
the death of the pope in 590, St. Gregory was elected to
succeed him, the first monk ever elected as the
Successor of Peter. This man who wanted nothing else
but to be a simple monk had to undergo a profound
interior struggle before accepting this election as the will
of God.
Immediately he set to work putting in order the affairs
of a Church and society in chaos. Like his predecessor
Pope Leo the Great, he negotiated a "separate peace"
with the invading barbarians, in this case the Lombards
(592-3). In light of the powerlessness of the Byzantine
emperor in the West, he took over civic as well as
spiritual leadership of Italy, appointing governors of the
various Italian cities. He, who had spent his own wealth
to relieve the suffering of the poor, did much the same
with the resources of the church. He insisted on Papal
primacy, and took the initiative in evangelization, sending
monks from his former monastery led by Augustine to
convert the Angles of Britain.
His abundant writings are more practical and spiritual
than doctrinal or theoretical. His "Liber Regulae
Pastoralis" (592 ca) sets the standard of what a bishop
should be. His "Dialogues" recounts the life of his
master, St. Benedict, and other saints of the period. His
Moralia in Job is a commentary on the book of Job
according to the literal, moral, and spiritual senses of
Scripture. Very devoted to the liturgy, Gregory promoted
sacred music and to this day the plain-song that comes
down to us from this era is known as "Gregorian Chant."
Gregory, who died in 604 AD, is known as one of the four
greatest Latin-speaking Fathers and Doctors of the
Church. He is one of the few men in the history of the
Church whose name is customarily followed by "the
Great." His liturgical memorial is on September 3,
the anniversary of his consecration as bishop of Rome
and successor of St. Peter. His favorite title for this
exalted office was "servant of the servants of God."