St Gregory the Great

Gregory, monks (2), Lombards (3), people (3), Pope Pelagius, horse, Tiberius, wealthy people (2)

(Enter Gregory and the monks)

St Gregory is best known for inventing Gregorian Chant.  When he was a monk, he would teach the other monks how to chant their prayers.  They would even chant grace over a meal!  They sang the words "Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive..."

(Enter Lombards, people, Pope, horse)

But one day Italy was invaded by the Lombards.  The Lombards were running around, laughing like hyenas, setting things on fire, and beating people up.  The people were terrified!  They all ran to Rome, and said to Pope Pelagius "Please help us!".  Pelagius called Gregory over and said "Greg, we need help.  Go to constantinople, and tell the emperor to send more soldiers!"  So Gregory rode off on his horse.  (Clear the stage of everyone but Gregory and his horse.  Enter Tiberius).

When he arrived in Constantinople, Gregory went to emperor Tiberius. He got off his horse, and gave it a lump of sugar, which the horse ate greedily, whinnying with delight)  Falling on his knees, Gregory begged Tiberius, saying "Please your majesty!  Help us!"  Then Gregory kissed his hand.

But Tiberius said "I'm afraid my army is already fighting 3 wars!  I can't afford to help you.  I'm sorry."

(Exit Tiberius)

Gregory was sad, but he said "If Tiberius won't help the people, I will!" Then, getting back on his horse, he said "Ride like the wind, Bullseye!" and the horse galloped all the way back to Rome.

(Enter people, wealthy people)

When he got off his horse, he groomed it, saying "what good horse." But there was a famine in Rome, and the people were starving. They said "Please!  We need food!"  Gregory sold everything he had, even his horse, to buy food for the people.  But it still was not enough!  Other wealthy people admired Gregory for what he did, so they sold what they had and gave him their money to distribute to the poor.

(Exit horse, Enter Pelagius)

Suddenly, Pope Pelagius came down with the plague!  He coughed and choked and died.

(Exit Pelagius, enter monks)

The monks, people, the wealthy people, and the audience all said "Let's make Gregory the Pope!"

Gregory said "I'd rather just be a humble monk..."

But everyone, including the audience, said "Habemus Papam!"  (Hab- Bay-Moose Pa-Pam).  The people and monks lifted Gregory onto their shoulders saying "Long live the Pope!"

Pope Gregory said "When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice."  

The to the monks he said "Get as much wealth as we can from the Churches, and let's take care of the poor!"  And everyone cheered.

Pope Gregory is a doctor of the Church, and a patron saint of musicians.

Pope St Gregory the Great-  pray for us!