On September 3, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Gregory the Great, a towering figure in Church history known as the “father of the medieval papacy” and the “Apostle of the English.” Born around 540 into a noble Roman family, Gregory’s life was marked by profound service, deep faith, and transformative leadership during a time of turmoil. His legacy as a pope, monk, and doctor of the Church continues to inspire Catholics today.
A Life of Service Amid Crisis
Gregory was born into a world of chaos, with Rome facing invasions by the Lombards, devastating plagues, floods, and the decline of Roman rule. The son of Gordianus, a wealthy senator, Gregory was well-educated, likely in law, and rose to become the prefect of Rome before age 30. Yet, his heart was drawn to God. Following his father’s death, he transformed his family’s Roman estate into the Abbey of St. Andrew, where he became a Benedictine monk, and founded six monasteries on his Sicilian properties.
His contemplative life was short-lived. Around 578, Gregory was ordained a priest and served as one of Rome’s seven deacons. He was then sent as papal ambassador to Constantinople until 585, navigating tense relations between Rome and the Byzantine Empire. Upon his return, he became abbot of St. Andrew’s. In 590, following the death of Pope Pelagius II, the clergy and people of Rome acclaimed Gregory as pope. Though reluctant, he accepted, becoming the first pope to call himself servus servorum Dei (“servant of the servants of God”), a title still used by popes today. As Pope John Paul II noted, Gregory’s humility reflected “a profound sense of service, which he lived out as a true shepherd” (Homily on St. Gregory the Great, September 3, 2004).
A Reformer and Shepherd
Gregory’s pontificate (590–604) was marked by extraordinary leadership. He faced invasions, famines, and internal Church challenges with resolve. He reorganized Church estates to feed the poor and ransom prisoners, negotiated peace with the Lombard king, and protected persecuted Jews. His Book of Pastoral Care became a cornerstone for bishops, describing them as physicians of souls tasked with preaching and enforcing discipline. The Catechism of the Catholic Church echoes this, stating that bishops, as successors of the apostles, are called to “teach, sanctify, and govern” (CCC 1558).
Gregory’s reforms extended to the liturgy, strengthening its reverence and structure. While his role in developing “Gregorian” chant is debated, his influence on liturgical worship is undeniable. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal credits the early Church, including Gregory’s era, for shaping the Mass’s sacred character (GIRM 7–9). His prolific writings, including homilies and over 800 letters, addressed heresies, corrected abuses, and guided monastic life. As Pope Benedict XVI reflected, “Gregory’s writings show a pastor who applied the Gospel to the daily lives of his people, making the faith accessible and alive” (General Audience, May 28, 2008).
Apostle of the English
Despite Rome’s crises, Gregory’s vision reached beyond its walls. His concern for the conversion of England led him to send 40 monks, led by St. Augustine of Canterbury, to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in 597. This mission earned him the title “Apostle of the English.” The Catholic Encyclopedia notes, “Gregory’s zeal for the spread of the Gospel laid the foundation for the Church in England” (New Advent, “St. Gregory the Great”). His efforts bore fruit, as England became a stronghold of Catholicism in the centuries that followed.
Miracles and Sanctity
Gregory’s holiness was evident in his life and miracles. One notable miracle occurred when a woman doubted the Real Presence in the Eucharist, laughing during the consecration. Gregory prayed, and the bread transformed into flesh before reverting, confirming the truth of the Eucharist and strengthening the faith of the congregation (Lives of the Saints, Butler). This miracle underscores the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist as “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324).
Gregory died in 604 and was immediately venerated as a saint. He is one of the four key doctors of the Western Church, alongside Augustine, Ambrose, and Jerome. An Anglican historian, J.N.D. Kelly, wrote, “It is impossible to conceive what would have been the confusion, the lawlessness, the chaotic state of the Middle Ages without the medieval papacy; and of the medieval papacy, the real father is Gregory the Great” (Oxford Dictionary of Popes).
Why Gregory Matters Today
What made Gregory “the Great”? His achievements—reforming the Church, evangelizing nations, and serving the poor—were rooted in his love for God. As Pope Francis has said, “True greatness lies in serving others, as Christ did” (Angelus, September 3, 2017). Gregory’s life challenges Catholics to live their faith boldly, even in turbulent times, trusting in God’s providence.
St. Gregory the Great, pray for us!
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Sources:
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 2nd ed., 1997, Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
2. General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), 2002, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
3. Pope John Paul II, Homily on St. Gregory the Great, September 3, 2004.
4. Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, May 28, 2008.
5. Pope Francis, Angelus, September 3, 2017.
6. “St. Gregory the Great,” Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent, www.newadvent.org.
7. Butler, Alban. Lives of the Saints, 1866, republished by Benziger Brothers.
8. Kelly, J.N.D. Oxford Dictionary of Popes, Oxford University Press, 1986.