September 3

St. Gregory the Great

A sixth-century pope and Doctor of the Church who reorganized the Roman Church, sent Augustine of Canterbury to evangelize England, reformed the liturgy (Gregorian chant bears his name), and managed Rome when civil authority had collapsed. Humble to a fault, he called himself "servant of the servants of God" — a title all popes still bear.

Why it matters for your parish: Gregory gave the papacy its classic pastoral identity and the Church its liturgical chant. His title "servant of the servants of God" is a profound model of leadership. Strong content for any discussion of Church governance or Gregorian chant.

Graphics for this saint are coming soon.