SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT
Pope and Doctor of the Church

WEDNESDAY OF PASSION WEEK

DOUBLE / WHITE
Pope Gregory I (c. 540-604) had founded seven Benedictine monasteries on his ancestral estates, and he himself had become a monk in one of them -- St. Andrew's on the Coelian Hill. In the sixth year of his pontificate, he sent to England forty Benedictine monks of St. Andrew's, with St. Augustine, their prior, as leader of the pioneer mission band. Gregory also dealt courageously with the conquering Lombards, enlightened the whole Church by his teaching, governed both East and West with vigorous humility, and gave to the world a perfect pattern of pastoral rule.

Mass of a Pope, except

COLLECT
O God, You rewarded the soul of Your servant Gregory with eternal happiness. Mercifully relieve us from the oppressive weight of our sins through the intercession of this saint. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of WEDNESDAY OF PASSION WEEK
O God, sanctify the Lenten fast and in Your mercy enlighten the hearts of Your faithful. Hear the prayers of those who, by Your grace, call upon You with devotion. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET PRAYER
May this sacrifice, which You offered to wash away the sins of the whole world, O Lord, help us through the intercession of blessed Gregory. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of WEDNESDAY OF PASSION WEEK
O merciful God, hear us, and grant that we may offer this sacrifice of praise and reparation with true devotion. Through Our Lord . . .


POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O God, You bestowed the merits of the saints upon the blessed Pope Gregory. May we who celebrate this feast in his memory also follow the example of his life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of WEDNESDAY OF PASSION WEEK
O Almighty God, we humbly beg the heavenly blessings of Your Sacrament which we have received. May it bring us Your grace and salvation. Through Our Lord . . .