Gregorius
~540 - 12 March 604
Gregory the Great
John Calvin (1509-1564) called Pope Gregory I "the last good pope". Whether that is true or not is irrelevant. What matters is that there are sufficient reasons for anyone to see him as an outstanding personality.
Better known as Gregory the Great, he was the first pope that came from a monastic background, completely devoted to spiritual work while renouncing any worldly pursuits. He is a Doctor of the Church, a very selectively handed out honor, and one of the six Latin Fathers, a title bestowed upon early and influential writers and theologians of the Christian Church.
From "Pastoral Care"
by Gregory the Great
Gregory is said to be the founder of medieval papacy and many attribute the beginning of medieval spirituality to him as well.
He is known as a prolific writer, most of all for his Sermons, 'Magna Moralia', 'The Rule for Pastors' (also known as 'Pastoral Care' or 'Cura Pastoralis') and numerous letters. The 'Pastoral Care' is a study on the personal, intellectual and moral responsibilities of the clergy . It became one of the most influential works ever written on this subject.
Papacy of Pope Gregory I
The papacy of Gregory I began in the year 590, in a time when the state was ruined. The economy was at a standstill, Rome was packed with refugees, who lived in the streets, many of the wealthy were hungry as well, and the seat of government being in Constantinople was apparently too far away. Gregory wouldn't wait for relief.
Instead he required churchmen to seek out the needy and provide help instantly. He was verbally upset with anyone who wouldn't do so, and eventually began replacing administrators who didn't assist with such that would and did.
Fresco of Gregory the Great
That wasn't enough, so in order to be able to do more, he added more administrators. The expenses were higher than before, and that in a place which was threatened by famine.
The church owned a large amount of farmland which produced various goods that until then were being sold in order to create revenue. Gregory reorganized the administration of this farmland and gave orders to increase production in order to meet a specific quota that was needed. Soon large shipments of all kinds of food began arriving in Rome, where they were handed out freely. Those who were too ill to get their share of food were brought food by monks, organized by Gregory. They did so every morning. It is said that Gregory would never eat before he was sure that everyone received their food supply.
To those that lived in wealthy homes, but were just as needy, Gregory had sent food, that he himself prepared and cooked, as gifts, as to spare them the embarrassment of picking up their own food supplies, hence receiving charity..
When he once heard of a homeless man who died he felt that he had failed in his duty and, for a while, judged himself as a murderer.
It was such and similar behavior that turned the hearts and minds of Roman people to the papacy for government instead of Constantinople.
After his death Gregory was immediately canonized by popular demand, becoming Saint Gregory I, patron saint of students, teachers, musicians, and singers.
