Saint Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome

March 12 – St. Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome (Roman Catholic: September 3) –

(c. 540 – 12 March 604) St. Gregory was pope from 3 September 590 until his death. Gregory is well known for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any of his predecessors as pope. Throughout the Middle Ages he was known as “the Father of Christian Worship” because of his exceptional efforts in revising the Roman worship of his day. He was the first of the popes to come from a monastic background. Gregory is a Doctor of the Church and one of the Latin Fathers. He is considered a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion, and some Lutheran churches. Immediately after his death, Gregory was canonized by popular acclaim. He is the patron saint of musicians, singers, students, and teachers.

~Image: Francisco de Goya – Saint Gregory the Great