St. Gregory, born at Rome about the year 540, was the son of Gordianus, a wealthy senator, who later renounced the world and became one of the seven deacons of Rome. After he had acquired a thorough education, the Emperor Justin the Younger appointed him, in 574, Chief Magistrate of Rome, though he was only thirty-four years of age.
After the death of his father he built six monasteries in Sicily and founded a seventh in his own house in Rome, which became the Benedictine Monastery of St. Andrew. Here he himself assumed the monastic habit in 575, at the age of thirty-five.
After the death of Pelagius, St. Gregory was chosen Pope by the unanimous consent of priests and people. Now began those labors which have merited for him the title of great. His zeal extended over the entire known world, he was in contact with all the Churches of Christendom and, in spite of his bodily sufferings and innumerable labors, he found time to compose a great number of works. He is known above all for his magnificent contributions to the liturgy of the Mass and Office. He is one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church. He died March 12, 604.

PRAYER: O God, Thou who hast given to the soul of Thy servant Gregory the rewards of everlasting bliss, mercifully grant that we who are oppressed by the weight of our sins, may be relieved by his intercession with Thee. Amen. Lives of the Saints, pages 104-105