Pope: St Gregory the Great, model for politicians and Church pastors
Benedict XVI recalled the civic commitment and monastic roots of this great pope who, opening up to the "barbarians", discerned the emergence of a new civilization.
Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) A pope as a model for public administrators? The suggestion came from Benedict XVI as he recalled the figure of St Gregory the Great, pope and Doctor of the Church (circa 540 604), whose feast is marked on the calendar today. As a universal parish priest, the pope continuously draws examples and teachings for modern society, beginning with the stories of the saints and of the Church. And thus, St Gregory the Great, who lived during a time of severe crisis in Roman society, becomes "an example to follow for both pastors of the Church as well as public administrators". The pontiff explained that he "was in fact first Prefect and then Bishop of Rome. As an imperial official he distinguished himself for his administrative abilities and moral integrity, so much so that when he was only 30, he covered the highest civic post of Praefectus Urbis." But his greatest contribution to the Church and society came when he entered Benedictine monastic life. "From that time, Benedictine Rule became the central structure of its existence. Even when he was sent by the Pope as his envoy to the Emperor of the East, he maintained a monastic lifestyle, simple and poor. Recalled to Rome, although he lived in a monastery, he was a close collaborator of Pope Pelagius II and when the latter died, victim of an epidemic of plague, Gregory was acclaimed by all as his successor."
Benedict XVI emphasized the resistance of Gregory to becoming pope, perhaps also thinking back to his own election and, prior to that, his work in Rome as prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Gregory "sought in every way to avert his appointment, but at the end, he had to surrender and, reluctantly leaving the cloisters, he dedicated himself to the community, aware that he was carrying out his duty and of being a simple 'servant of the servants of God'. 'Neither is he truly humble, who understands how the good pleasure of the Supernal Will ought to bear sway, and yet contemns its sway. But, submitting himself to the divine disposals, and averse from the vice of obstinacy, it being already prevented with gifts whereby he may profit others also, he ought, when enjoined to undertake supreme rule, in his heart to flee from it, but against his will to obey' (Pastoral Rule 1,6)."
Benedict XVI then outlined the commitments of St Gregory the Great in the field of liturgy, reform of the clergy, and efforts to integrate the Barbarian and Roman peoples: "With prophetic foresight, Gregory intuited that a new civilization was emerging from the encounter between the Roman heritage and the so-called 'Barbarian' peoples, thanks to the cohesive force and moral elevation of Christianity. Monasticism proved to be a source of richness not only for the Church but for the entire society. In poor health but of strong moral temperament, Gregory the Great undertook intense pastoral and civil activities. He left behind a vast body of correspondence, awesome homilies, a renowned commentary on the Book of Job and writings on the life of St Benedict, apart from numerous liturgical texts, famous for the reform of chant that was named 'Gregorian' after him. But his most celebrated work is doubtless Pastoral Rule, which for the clergy had the same importance as the Rule of St Benedict had for monks in the Middle Ages."
Gregory the Great also inspired Vatican Council II: "The life of a shepherd of souls must be a balanced synthesis of contemplation and action, animated by the love that 'rises wonderfully to high things when it is compassionately drawn to the low things of neighbours; and the more kindly it descends to the weak things of this world, the more vigorously it recurs to the things on high' (II,5). The Fathers of Vatican Council II were inspired by this ever relevant teaching to describe the image of the Shepherd of our times." The final prayer was to the Virgin Mary, "that the example and teaching of St Gregory the Great may be followed by Shepherds of the Church and also by managers of civil institutions."
After the Angelus prayer, Benedict XVI greeted pilgrims present in several languages. He reminded the Germans that next week he will go on pilgrimage to Germany and he wished Polish youth the best for the new school year. He also greeted a group of youth involved in the Focolare Movement, who had come from several countries. The pope exhorted them to be missionaries among other youth. "Dear friends," he said, "in the school of the most Blessed Virgin, be faithful disciples of Jesus and lead your peers to him".
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