Editing Pope Gregory I (section)

==Monastic years==

On his father's death, Gregory converted his family ''villa'' into a [[monastery]] dedicated to [[Andrew the Apostle]] (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."<ref>Cavadini pg 155</ref>

Gregory had a deep respect for the monastic life and particularly the 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.<ref>Straw pg 47</ref> However, in time, after the monk's death, Gregory had 30 Masses offered for the man to [[Prayer for the dead|assist his soul]] before the [[final judgment]]. He viewed being a monk as the "ardent quest for the vision of our Creator."{{sfn|Markus|1997|p=69}} His three paternal aunts were nuns renowned for their sanctity. However, after the eldest two, [[Trasilla and Emiliana]], 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 that "many are called but few are chosen."{{sfn|Richards|1980|p=26}} Gregory's mother, [[Saint Silvia|Silvia]], is herself a [[saint]].

Eventually, [[Pope Pelagius II]] ordained Gregory a [[deacon]] and solicited his help in trying to heal the [[schism of the Three Chapters]] in [[northern Italy]]. However, this schism was not healed until well after Gregory was gone.{{sfn|Markus|1997|p=3}}