Imagine a plague wiping out 1/3 of Rome. The river flooding. Barbarians attacking. This was the world of Pope Gregory I (540-604). He didn't despair. He got to work.
The Chant
He organized the liturgy and the music of the Church. Gregorian Chant is named after him. He knew that beauty was an antidote to chaos. When the world was ugly, the liturgy had to be beautiful.
The English Mission
He saw fair-skinned slaves in the Roman market. "Who are they?" he asked. "They are Angles (from England)," he was told. "Not Angles, but Angels," he replied. He sent St. Augustine of Canterbury to evangelize England.
The Title
He was the first Pope to use the title Servus Servorum Dei (Servant of the Servants of God). Think about that. The most powerful man in Europe called himself the lowest servant. This is true leadership.
Sing a new song. Listen to Gregorian Chant playlists on the MyPrayerTower app.