March 12, 2024

Feast of San Gregorio Magno

San Gregorio Magno, ora pro nobis
March 12th is the Feast of San Gregorio Magno (St. Gregory The Great), Pope and Doctor of the Church. Patron of teachers, poets and musicians, he is the principal protector of San Gregorio Magno (SA), San Gregorio Matese (CE), Crispano (NA), San Gregorio di Catania (CT), Vizzini (CT), Manduria (TA), Casacanditella (CH), and San Gregorio d’Ippona (VV), among others. In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to St. Gregory The Great. The accompanying photo was taken at Saint Michael's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Evviva San Gregorio Magno!

Prayer to St. Gregory The Great

O invincible defender of Holy Church's freedom, Saint Gregory of great renown, by that firmness thou didst show in maintaining the Church's rights against all her enemies, stretch forth from heaven thy mighty arm, we beseech thee, to comfort her and defend her in the fearful battle she must ever wage with the powers of darkness. Do thou, in an especial manner, give strength in this dread conflict to the venerable Pontiff who has fallen heir not only to thy throne, but likewise to the fearlessness of thy mighty heart; obtain for him the joy of beholding his holy endeavors crowned by the triumph of the Church and the return of the lost sheep into the right path. Grant, finally, that all may understand how vain it is to strive against that faith which has always conquered and is destined always to conquer: "this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." This is the prayer that we raise to thee with one accord; and we are confident, that, after thou has heard our prayers on earth, thou wilt one day call us to stand with thee in heaven, before the eternal High Priest, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.