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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 the usual thorough education, 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 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. He is the patron of teachers.
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