That OTHER Deacon Greg

Okay.  Besides being a deacon, St. Gregory the Great was also a pope and a saint.   In his spare time, he wrote the first biography of St. Benedict and, when he had nothing better to do, composed the chant that bears his name.  Overachiever?  Just a bit.

Happy feast day, though, to all the Gregorys out there — those who are great and those (like me) who are barely adequate.  Below, is the prayer for this day from the Liturgy of the Hours.

God our Father,
your rule is a rule of love,
your providence is full of mercy for your people.
Through the intercession of Saint Gregory
grant the spirit of wisdom to those you have placed in authority,
so that the spiritual growth of the people may bring eternal joy to the pastors.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Amen.