Pope St Gregory the Great

Fr Paul reads the Gospel from Luke (5: 1-11) in which Jesus calls his first disciples and then shares a little about St Gregory the Great whose life we celebrate today.

Gregory was born in the year 540 in Rome into an aristocratic family. Initially, he had a career in public service and, ultimately, he became the Prefect of Rome.  He founded a monastery in Rome and a few other places and became a monk himself.

Gregory was ordained a deacon and then went to Constantinople for five years on a mission. In 590, he was the first monk elected Pope. During his time as Pope he reformed the administration of the Church and performed various other works. Gregory wrote extensively on pastoral care, on spirituality and on morals. He died in 604.

Today, Fr Paul says, we ask St Gregory to pray for us as we celebrate his life.