St. Gregory's Easter Prayer
Brother John Raymond
Born in the 6th century in Rome Gregory received the best
education available at the time. He became involved in politics and
by the age of 30 occupied the highest civil office in Rome - Prefect
of the city. He was known to be one of the richest men in the city.
But Gregory was not satisfied with his life. He wanted more. So
he gave up all his possessions and turned his house into a
monastery. After a few years he was made abbot. Upon the death of
Pope Pelagius in 590 He was chosen as the new Pope, being the first
monk to become a Pope.
Pope Gregory called himself the "Servant of the servants of God."
He was known as an incessant preacher and writer. He was responsible
for the organization of Church music and so his name was given to it
- Gregorian Chant.
From the beginning of his Pontificate Gregory was responsible for
the protection of Italy from invading enemy forces. Once the enemy
appeared before the very walls of Rome. Pope Gregory was able to
persuade them to withdraw and leave the city in peace.
After fourteen years of service Gregory was physically exhausted.
Almost his last action as Pope was to send a warm winter cloak to a
poor bishop who suffered from the cold. He died in the year 604 and
was buried in St. Peter's. His life was summed up in the epitaph on
his tomb which reads "after having conformed all his actions to his
doctrines, the great consular of God went to enjoy eternal
triumphs."
St. Gregory's Easter Prayer
It is only right, with all the powers of our heart and mind, to
praise You Father and Your Only-Begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Father, by Your wondrous condescension of Loving-Kindness
toward us, Your servants, You gave up Your Son. Dear Jesus You paid
the debt of Adam for us to the Eternal Father by Your Blood poured
forth in Loving-Kindness. You cleared away the darkness of sin by
Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection. You broke the bonds of
death and rose from the grave as a Conqueror. You reconciled Heaven
and earth. Our life had no hope of Eternal Happiness before You
redeemed us. Your Resurrection has washed away our sins, restored
our innocence and brought us joy. How inestimable is the tenderness
of Your Love!
We pray You, Lord, to preserve Your servants in the peaceful
enjoyment of this Easter happiness. We ask this through Jesus Christ
Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with God The Father, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.