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Son of a wealthy Roman senator
and Saint Silvia Nephew of Saint Emiliana and Saint Tarsilla. Educated by
the finest teachers in Rome. Prefect of Rome for a year, then he sold his
possessions, turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his
money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. Benedictine
monk. Upon seeing English children being sold in the Roman Forum, he
became a missionary to England.
Elected Pope by unanimous acclamation on 3 September 590, the first monk
to be chosen. Sent Saint Augustine of Canterbury and a company of monks to
evangelize England, and other missionaries to France, Spain, and Africa.
Collected the melodies and plain chant so associated with him that they
are now known as Gregorian Chants. One of the four great Doctors of the
Latin Church. Wrote seminal works on the Mass and Office.
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