with the same honour as the four Gospels. He allowed the Bishops of Sicily, who, according to the ancient custom of their Churches, used to visit Rome every three years, to make that visit once every fifth year. He wrote several books; and Peter the Deacon assures us, that he frequently saw the Holy Ghost resting on the head of the Pontiff, whilst he was dictating. It is a matter of wonder, that with his incessant sickness and ill health he could have said, done, written, and decreed, as he did. At length, after performing many miracles, he was called to his reward in heaven, after a pontificate of thirteen years, six months, and ten days; it was on the fourth of the Ides of March (March 12th), which the Greeks also observe as a great Feast, on account of this Pontiff's extraordinary learning and virtue. His body was buried in the Basilica of Saint Peter, near the Secretarium. Multo libros confecit: quos cum dictaret, testatus est Petrus Diaconus se Spiritum Sanctum columbæ specie in ejus capite sæpe vidisse. Admirabilia sunt quæ dixit, fecit, scripsit, decrevit, præsertim infirma semper et ægra valetudine. Qui denique multis editis miraculis, Pontificatus anno decimo tertio, mense sexto, die decimo, quarto Idus Martii, qui dies festus a Græcis etiam propter insignem hujus Pontificis sapientiam ac sanctitatem, præcipue honore celebratur ad cœlestem beatitudinem evocatus est. Cujus corpus sepultum est in Basilica Sancti Petri, prope Secretarium. To these admirable Lessons we subjoin a selection of Antiphons and Responsories, which are taken from an Office approved of by the Holy See, for this Feast of so great a Saint. ANTIPHONS AND RESPONSORIES.* The blessed Gregory, being raised to the Chair of Peter, Beatus Gregorius in ca thedra Petri sublimatus, Vi We may be permitted to express a hope, that the day is not far distant, when the Proper Offices, approved of by the Holy See, will be adopted in England, for those Saints in which England has a special interest. Proper Hymns, &c., have been composed and approved for St. Augustine of Canterbury and St. Anselm. [TRANSLATOR.] gilantis nomen factis imple- fulfilled, by his actions, the vit. Pastor eximius pastoralis vitæ specimen tradidit et regulam. Dum paginæ sacræ mysteria panderet, columba nive candidior apparuit. Gregorius, monachorum speculum, pater Urbis, orbis delicia. Gregorius, respiciens Anglorum juvenes, ait: Angelicam habent faciem; et tales Angelorum in cœlis decet esse consortes. meaning of his name, the Watchman. This glorious Pastor was the model, and wrote the rule, of the Pastoral Life. Whilst he was interpreting the Mysteries of the Sacred Volume, there was seen upon him a dove whiter than R. Gregorius, ab annis adolescentiæ suæ, Deo cœpit devotus existere.* Et ad supernæ vitæ patriam totis desideriis anhelavit. V. Pauperibus opes distribuens, Christum pro nobis egenum, egenus ipse sequutus est. *Et ad supernæ vitæ patriam totis desideriis anhelavit. R. From his early youth, Gregory was devout in God's service, And with all his heart sighed after the land of heavenly life. V. He distributed his wealth to the poor, and became poor himself, after the example of Christ, who made himself poor for us. * And with all his heart sighed after the land of heavenly life. B. Sex in Sicilia monasteria constituens, fratres illic Christo servituros aggregavit; septimum vero intra Romanæ urbis muros instituit: In quo et ipse mi R. Six Monasteries did he found in Sicily, and put in them communities of Brethren, who should serve Christ a seventh also he founded within the walls of Rome's city, Wherein he, too, en- litiam cœlestem agressus rolled himself in the heavenly warfare. V. He despised the world. with its flowers, and sought out a place of solitude most dear to his soul. * Wherein he, too, enrolled himself in the heavenly warfare. est. V. Mundum cum flore despiciens, dilectæ solitudinis locum quæsivit. In quo et ipse militiam cœlestem aggressus est. R. When they were in search of him to set him on the throne of the Papal dignity, he fled to the woods and caves and hid himself;* But a bright pillar of light was seen to shine upon him, in a straight line from the high heavens. V. The people, in their eager desire to have so excellent a Pastor, besieged heaven with their fastings and prayers. *But a bright pillar was seen to shine upon him, in a straight line from the highest heavens. R. Ad summi Pontificatus apicem quæsitus, quum ad sylvarum et cavernarum latebras confugisset,* Visa est columna lucis a summo coeli usque ad eum linea recta refulgens. V. Tam eximium pastorem sitiens populus, jejuniis et orationibus ad cœlum insistebat. * Visa est columna lucis a summo cœli usque ad eum linea recta refulgens. R. Lo! now I am tossed by the waves of the great sea, and am buffeted by the storms of pastoral care: And when I remember my former life, I sigh like one that looks back on the shore he has left behind. . I am carried to and fro on huge waves, which scarcely permit me to see the port I sailed from. * And when I remember my former life, I sigh like one that LENT. R. Ecce nunc magni maris fluctibus quatior, pastoralis curæ procellis illisus: Et quum priorem vitam recolo, quasi post tergum reductis oculis viso littore suspiro. V. Immensis fluctibus turbatus feror, vix jam portum valeo videre quem reliqui. * Et quum priorem vitam recolo, quasi post tergum 2 L |