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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
November 09, 2024
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Ordinary Time

For a large part of the liturgical year, we devote ourselves to listening to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects unfolded as we seek God's truth and understanding.

Saint of the Week

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor

Gregory began his career in civil service, and became known as a great leader. But he felt a higher calling and eventually left civil service to devote himself to God. Though he was one of the richest men in Rome, Gregory gave up his wealth to turn his house into a monastery under the patronage of St. Andrew. Shortly after, the pope ordained him as a deacon and sent him as ambassador to the emperor’s court in Constantinople. Recalled to Rome in about 586, Gregory returned to his monastic life and was soon elected abbot of his community. In 590, a terrible plague hit Rome and among its victims was the pope. Gregory was immediately and unanimously elected pope, and consecrated pope on September 3, 590. As pope, Gregory introduced many reforms in the Church, and preached often on the scriptural readings of the day. Many of his homilies still exist.

Gregory would have preferred the quietude of the monastic life. Having given him many talents, God had other plans for Gregory. Sometimes we are called upon to minister in ways that are not ones which we would choose for ourselves. If this is what God is calling us to do, we must respond with our best efforts just a Gregory did.