Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent at Four Crowned Saints

Approaching the medieval gateway of this ancient church, dedicated to the Four Crowned Saints, one immediately gathers that this is a unique place.  Indeed it is, for though it stands only a few blocks from some of the busiest areas of the city, this oft-forgotten church holds centuries of tradition within its scarred walls.

The title of this church is actually in reference to two groups of martyrs from the Roman persecutions.  The first group were four soldiers, Severus, Victorinus, Carpophorus, and Severinus, who refused to take part in pagan worship, and were killed for this in the persecutions of Diocletian.  The name of this church may be derived from a military decoration of a small crown, which the four soldier saints may have earned during their service.  The second group were a group of five stonemasons, Claudius, Nicostratus, Sempronianus, Castor, and Simplicius, who were put to death for their refusal to carve a statue of Asclepius which would be used for pagan worship (From: Procedamus in Pacem, PNAC).

Collect

Grant, we pray, almighty God, 
that by Saint Joseph’s intercession 
your Church may constantly watch over 
the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, 
whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. 
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, for ever and ever.