Cd. Szoka's titular church is
of 'great beauty'
By Michelle Zotter of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 4, 2004
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Cardinal Szoka stands in front of his titular church, SS. Andrew & Gregory in Monte Celio, in 1988. It was assigned to him upon his elevation into the College of Cardinals. |
SS. Andrew & Gregory in Monte Celio, Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka's titular church, is one of "great beauty."
Every cardinal is assigned a titular church, and he was assigned his, better known in Rome as the Church of St. Gregory the Great on the ancient Celian Hill, when he was made cardinal in 1988.
Although the cardinal has no authority or responsibility for the church, "he is assigned a church so that he can be considered as a member of the clergy of Rome," Cardinal Szoka said from Rome.
In early centuries, the bishop of Rome was chosen by the local clergy, so a titular church retains this tradition, at least symbolically, he said.
Cardinal Szoka's church, situated within the Vicariate of Rome, signifies that each cardinal becomes a priest of the city, and symbolizes a relationship between the cardinal and the pope.
The Church asks the titular bishop to celebrate Mass a few times a year there, although he does not exercise any jurisdiction in his titular see.
"I visit my titular church only several times a year because it is not a parish church," Cardinal Szoka said. "My first impression on seeing it was its great beauty as one of the historical churches of Rome."
Located near the Colosseum in Rome, its beginnings go back to the sixth century. The church that stands there today was originally the site of St. Gregory the Great's paternal home, much of which remains below the site.
In December 589, St. Gregory, then a papal deacon, granted the land to the Monastery of St. Andrew. Within the sanctuary of the church, there is a new altar and pulpit, which is flanked by two statues of St. Gregory and St. Andrew.
There is also the chapel of St. Gregory and the place believed to be whatever remains of St. Gregory's room, the place of his bed, and an ancient Roman chair in which he sat.
Art is also contained in the church, including a picture of the Castel Sant' Angelo and a 14th-century sculpture of St. Gregory at Mass. In addition, there are chapels in the garden, dating in their present form from the 17th century.
All that remains of the original church are the mosaic floor and ancient columns. Today, a Camaldolese monastery and a convent of the Missionary Sisters of Mercy stand near the historic spot.
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