Who Is St. Gregory

St. Gregory I (Latin: Gregorius I; c. 540 – 12 March 604), commonly known as Saint Gregory the Great, was the bishop of Rome from September 3, 590 to his death. Known for instituting the first recorded large-scale mission from Rome, the Gregorian mission, to convert the then largely pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity he was a prolific writer. Eastern Christianity refers to him as Saint Gregory the Dialogist because of his Dialogues.

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A Roman senator's son and himself the prefect of Rome at 30, Gregory lived in a monastery he established on his family estate before becoming a papal ambassador and then pope.

 

He is known for several significant contributions to Christianity. First, his leadership focused on improving the welfare of the people of Rome through pastoral care. Writing extensively on the subject he is attributed to being the father of Pastoral Care as a focus in ministry. Second, he became known throughout the Middle Ages as "the Father of Christian Worship" because of his exceptional efforts in revising the Roman worship of his day. His contributions to liturgy are still in use in the Byzantine Rite. Third is his contribution to music in the liturgy. The infamous Gregorian Chants are attributed to his work.

Gregory is considered by the Roman Church to be a “Doctor of the Church.” The Roman Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and Anglican Communion, consider him a saint.

 

The Protestant reformer John Calvin admired Gregory greatly and declared in his Institutes that Gregory was the last good pope.

He is the patron saint of students, and teachers, musicians, and singers.