Labor Day

St. Gregory the Great

September 3, 2012

In the USA attention is drawn to two major events: historically, the Labor Movement in the country; currently, the beginning of the second political nominating convention.  These being of some interest to many, let me turn our focus to a man many may know by name more than for any other reason.

Pope St. Gregory the Great was an extraordinary man, civil servant of rank who became monk, priest and ultimately Roman Pontiff.  To present his life in a few paragraphs is impossible.  I spent a good part of Sunday evening reading the Catholic Encyclopedia's information about the man's life.  For me it was truly the first time that I had delved into many aspects of the saint's life.

It is remarkable that Pope St. Gregory was an accomplished man of extraordinary talents that he used to carry out the works of whatever office he held be it civil or religious.  In the encyclopedia article about the saint the authors not that Gregory was "not a man of profound learning, not a philosopher ... hardly a theologian."  It was during his administration that "the varied populations of Italy looked to the pope for guidance, and Rome as the papal capital continued to be the centre of the Christian world."  As a theologian, Gregory was not one who initiated new movements or methods.  Rather the ability as an administrator enabled him to put together summaries of the writings of the earlier "Fathers" of the Church.

Perhaps this posting offers little for prayer.  However, it is my hope that you have some inking of the man who did have a significant role in our Church.  Click on the information link about to read about how one man labored excessively for the state and the Church in his career.