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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.