St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor

Gregory was born around 540 and served as prefect of Rome before he turned 30. He left public life, founded monasteries on his estate in Sicily and became a monk in his own home in Rome. He was later elected pope, at about the age of 50. He sent forty monks from his own monastery to help bring the faith to England, and he emptied the papal treasury to ransom prisoners and to help plague and famine victims. He died in 604. His feast is September 3. Light a free candle for anyone who leads with humility. St Gregory, pray for us.