There is nothing by chance in our lives. The day you were conceived (which you have no way of knowing), your birthday, the date of your baptism and other sacraments. For a priest, the parishes he is assigned to are also significant. My first parish assignment was St. Gregory the Great in Warwick, RI. Just a week after ordination, I cam on pilgrimage to Rome. On one of those days, I went to St. Peter’s to celebrate Mass. The altar server lead me to the altar of St. Gregory the Great.

Who would have know that we would one day be able to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass, know as the Extraordinary Form. St. Gregory contributed significantly to the the Roman Rite. Except for the insertion of St. Joseph into the Roman Canon by Saint John XXII, Pope Gregory was the last to modify it, until following the Second Vatican Council. Gregory also made modifications to the entire Rite, removing things, changing a few and adding a few.

Gregory was born in 540 and died on 12 March 604.

The image above the altar with the remains of St. Gregory the Great.

The altar with the remains of Gregory the Great.

Notice, the altar is NOT free standing! Priest and people go together to the Lord.