SAINT GREGORY NAZIANZEN
Bishop and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
Gregory, the chosen friend of St. Basil the Great, was born in Cappadocia about the year 325, and was made bishop of Nazianzus, his native town. When Gregory was 50 years old, he was chosen patriarch of Constantinople, where the Church was being desolated by various heresies. He rekindled the torch of the Faith in Constantinople, but then his enemies banded together against him. Hoping to restore peace to the city, Gregory resigned his see and retired to Nazianzus. Because of his profound knowledge of the sacred sciences and his inspired exposition of the mystery of the Trinity, he is called "The Theologian."

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

COLLECT
O God, may blessed Gregory intercede for us in heaven as he once instructed Your faithful on earth and directed them in the way of eternal salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 39:6-14 [Sirach]
The just will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High. He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins. For if it shall please the great Lord, he will fill him with the spirit of understanding: And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord. And he shall direct his counsel, and his knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate. He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten. The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation. Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.

SECRET
O Lord, let the blessed Bishop and Doctor Gregory always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may this Sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed Bishop and illustrious Doctor Gregory. Through our Lord . . .