As One Who Serves

Pope Saint Gregory I (the Great)

As pope, he sent (596) St. Augustine of Canterbury (see May 27) and about thirty monks to convert England,

and it was he who introduced several changes into the liturgy of the Mass, for example: the Kyrie and Christe eleison were to be sung alternately by clergy and laity,

the Alleluia was to be dropped in penitential seasons,

and the Lord’s Prayer was to be said after the Canon.

He was interested in Church music and promoted a plainchant that now bears his name.

He was the first pope to refer to himself as the “Servant of the Servants of God,” a title still in use by the popes today1

1 Tylenda, Joseph N. 2003. Saints and Feasts of the Liturgical Year. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press.

“Supreme rule, then, is ordered well, when he who presides lords it over vices, rather than over his brethren.”

In today’s Gospel: I come as one who serves … If you want to follow me; you do the same!

Saint Paul takes up the theme

I did not promote myself, but Christ. and him, crucified. …

Not with wisdom and eloquence, but with the power of the Cross

and the Grace of Christ working through me.

Pope Gregory, too

Supreme rule [leadership], then, is when he who presides, lords it over vices, rather than his brothers.