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FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Station—Church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem

In the year 320, Constantine placed here the relics of the Holy Cross, which his mother, St. Helen, had brought to Rome from the Holy Land. Also, there is soil brought from Calvary, placed under the floor of the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Today, in the Church of Calvary at Rome—that is of the Cross—our hope, the Church, sends a ray of light upon our souls to stir us up to persevere in the struggle against the world, the flesh and the devil, until the great feast of Easter is reached.
"Rejoice, rejoice with joy," we are told in the Introit, for having died to sin with our Lord during Lent, we are shortly to rise with him by the Paschal Confession and Communion.
Our whole life is a texture of sorrows and joys. Good Fridays and Easters accompany us on our journey to the land of perennial Easter. But as there is no Good Friday without the assurance that "by the wood of the Cross joy has come into the whole world," so in the soul of a true Christian there is no sorrow without the joy that will come from living faith, strong hope and sincere love. It is a joy ever sustained and increased by that wonderful Bread, which Christ's loving hand multiplies for us in this desert of life.
By the wood of this Cross joy has come into the world and into your heart, also. Laetare, Jerusalem! Endure the thorns of life courageously. Supernaturalize them.
(Note: On this day, it was the custom to solemnly bless the "golden rose," which was then presented by the Holy Father to a Catholic, who was zealous and outstanding in the Faith.)

Catholic Culture

The Station is in the venerable church of the Four Crowned (brothers); their names are, Severus, Severianus, Carpophorus, and Victorinus; they suffered martyrdom under the persecution of Diocletian. Their bodies, as also the head of the great martyr St. Sebastian, are among the relics of this church.

Interior of the Church of the Four Crowned Saints

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.