GREGORY I, SAINT

born c. 540, , Rome died March 12, 604, Rome; feast day March 12 byname Gregory The Great architect of the medieval papacy (reigned 590-604), a notable theologian who was also an administrative, social, liturgical, and moral reformer. Drawing upon St. Augustine of Hippo's City of God for his views, Gregory formulated ideas of a Christian society that became formalized in the Middle Ages. Among his accomplishments were a reform of the mass from which came the Gregorian chant. Since the 8th century he has been regarded as a doctor (teacher) of the church. Additional reading The writings of Gregory I are contained in J.P. Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 75-79 (1844); and in the Bibliothek der Kirchenvter, 2 vol. (1873-74). Commentaries on his writing and thought may be found in: J.P. McClain, The Doctrine of Heaven in the Writings of Saint Gregory the Great (1956); H. Davis (ed. and trans.), "Pastoral Care" in Ancient Christian Writers, vol. 11 (1950); H. Delehaye, Servis Servorum Dei (1923); C. Erdmann, Die Entstehung des Kreuzzugsgedankens (1935, reprinted 1965); K. Gamber (ed.), Sacramentarium Gregorianum: Das Stationsmessbuch des Papstes Gregor (1966); Morals on the Book of Job in Library of the Fathers, 4 vol. (1844-50); R. Rudmann, Mnchtum und kirchlicher Dienst in den Schriften Gregors des Grossen (1956); N. Sharkey, Saint Gregory the Great's Concept of Papal Power (1950); and L.M. Weber, Hauptfragen der Moraltheologie Gregors des Grossen (1947). Biographical literature includes: P. Batiffol, Saint Gregory the Great (Eng. trans. 1929); C. Chazottes, Grgoire le Grand (1958); F.H. Dudden, Gregory the Great: His Place in History and Thought, 2 vol. (1905); and W. Stuhlfath, Gregor I der Grosse (1913), on his life until his election as pope.