St Gregory Barbarigo, Bishop & Confessor

From Newman Connection

St. Gregory Barbarigo was born in Venice, Italy, in 1635.  His father was an Italian diplomat and the two of them travelled extensively throughout Italy and Europe.  By the age of 30, he had finished with school and earned a degree in law.  He was disturbed by the lack of faith he observed in many of the leaders of his time.  His strong desire to spread the Catholic Faith and renew the Church, as well as a desire to heal divisions within the church, led Gregory to become a Priest. 

Gregory was ordained in 1644 and was sent to Rome.  In Rome, he ministered to the sick and dying – during a severe epidemic.  Pope Alexander VII personally assigned St. Gregory to the construction of hospitals and sanitary facilities to help the stricken. 

Acknowledging the success of his efforts, Pope Alexander consecrated Gregory a Bishop and Cardinal of the Church.  He continued to do his work of building in the places he served.  He expanded his dedication to increasing the faith of the region by building schools.  After exhausting himself in God’s service, Cardinal Gregory died in 1706 at the age of 81.  Pope John XXIII canonized him in 1960.   To this day, many parishes, schools, and hospitals are named St. Gregory in honour of this great Cardinal and Saint.