St. Gregory the Great (540 - 604)

Feast Day: September 3
Canonized: Upon his death
Patron of musicians, singers, students, and teachers

Born into a wealthy Roman family, young Gregory’s father was a senator and prefect – exposing him to the legal world. But as a youth, he was deeply affected by seeing many dying from disease and war.

Gregory studied law, and, like his father, at 30 he became prefect of Rome. Being very devout, he converted the family’s Roman villa to a monastery upon his father’s death, then became a monk himself, known for his piety and intellect. Pope Pelagius II subsequently made him ambassador (papal nuncio) to Constantinople.

Over his objections, as Gregory preferred to remain a simple monk, he was elected pope in 590. Referring to himself as a servant of God, Gregory made it his habit to dine with the poor. He is credited with bringing Gregorian chant into the Church, authorizing the “Gregorian mission” to convert the Anglo-Saxons of England, making revisions to the Mass, healing schisms, reviving discipline, and combatting the Donatist heresy of North Africa. He wrote extensively, preached incessantly, and guided and consoled other priests.

Gregory was proclaimed a saint immediately after death. His relics are in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His mother Silvia and aunt Pateria are also saints.