Today, September 3, is the feast day of St Gregory the Great (540 – 604). James Barmby, a Church historian writes: “It is impossible to conceive what would have been the confusion, the lawlessness, the chaotic state of the Middle Ages without the medieval papacy; and of the medieval papacy, the real father is Gregory the Great.” At the time, it must have felt like Christianity was being attacked on just about every front, including the Goths who were invading Rome. In the Church, Gregory the Great’s liturgical reforms and the strengthening of Church Doctrine helped Christianity survive and pass down the faith to future generations. Yet, in all that he had to address as Pope, Gregory the Great never forgot the love and mercy of God. He is quoted as saying: “The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.” We celebrate the feast day of St Gregory the Great today with great joy.
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