[Salvation]

Stational Church: Monday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Posted by Matthew

Today's Stational Church is the Church of the Four Crowned Martyrs.

 

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

The Station is on Mount Caelius, in a church erected in the seventh century in honor of four officers of the Roman army, who having refused to adore a statue of Aesculapius, received the crown of martyrdom. These were the "Four Crowned Ones," whose relics are venerated in this sanctuary together with the head of St. Sebastian, an officer of the army of Diocletian.

Under the leadership of the Four Crowned Martyrs let us celebrate the divine Sacrifice. May the Eucharistic Action "refresh us and defend us," as it refreshed these great athletes and filled them with heavenly fortitude to go forth to make the supreme sacrifice for a true ideal, for their faith, for Christ, the King of Martyrs.

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that as we keep with devotion year by year this holy fast, we may please Thee both in body and soul. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

[Salvation]

Santi Quattro Coronati

 

 

Day XXVII. Monday, Week IV.

"Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed" (Ordinary of the Holy Mass).

Santi Quattro Coronati. The basilica of the Four Crowned Saints is dedicated to the four brothers Seveus, Severinus, Carpophorus, and Victorius. All four were Roman officials who were scourged to death by emperor Diocletian (284-305) rather than renounce their faith. Their tombs are in the crypt under the main altar. The church is now located within a cloistered Augustinian monastery. The photo is of one of the courtyards.

It is the titular church of Cardinal Mahoney of Los Angeles. Remember that from the beginning of the church, the people and clergy chose their bishop. Later, to exclude politics, the chief priests (Cathedral canons) who often advised and assisted the bishop, and upon a vacancy, elected the new bishop. In Rome, these became known as the cardinals, or hinges, who also were his chief advisors and helped him run the universal Church. As time went on, they were chosen by the Pope from the bishops of neighboring dioceses and made "priests of Rome". Upon their elevation, they were assigned a titular church of which they were both honorary pastor and benefactor. While very few dioceses still retain Cathedral canons with the privilege of nominating or electing a bishop, the fullness of the tradition of Cardinals is very much alive in Rome.