silvia 3

On his father's death...

Gregory converted his family villa into a monastery...

dedicated to the apostle Saint Andrew (after his death it was rededicated as San Gregorio Magno al Celio). In his life of contemplation, Gregory concluded that "in that silence of the heart, while we keep watch within through contemplation, we are as if asleep to all things that are without."

Gregory took seriously the monk's vow of poverty.

Thus, when it came to light that a monk lying on his death bed had stolen three gold pieces, Gregory, as a remedial punishment, forced the monk to die alone, then threw his body and coins on a manure heap, to rot with a condemnation, "Take your money with you to perdition!"

Gregory believed that punishment of sins can begin, even in this life before death. However, in time, after the monk's death, Gregory had 30 Masses offered for the man to assist his soul before the final judgment, since Gregory believed in Purgatory.

Gregory had a deep respect for the monastic life.

He viewed being a monk as the "ardent quest for the vision of our Creator."

His three paternal aunts were nuns renowned for their sanctity. However, after the two eldest died after seeing a vision of their ancestor Pope Felix III, the youngest soon abandoned the religious life and married the steward of her estate. Gregory's response to this family scandal was "many are called but few are chosen."

Gregory's mother Silvia herself is a saint.


~wikipedia~