St. Gregory the Great, Pope from 590 BC, was the fourth and last of the traditional Latin “Doctors of the Church” and father of the medieval papacy. This is an English translation of his work, PASTORAL CARE (also known as PASTORAL RULE). In it Gregory seeks to outline the duties of the shepherd of souls. He gives attention to matters of behavior, spiritual advice, administration and organization. He is particularly concerned with the pastor as the speaker of the Word, a spiritual model who preaches to Christians in his care by word and deed. Annotated. The Ancient Christian Writers series features translations of the works of the Fathers.