The Holy Four Crowned Martyrs. Feast Day, Today, 8 November.

Text and Illustrations from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

The Holy Four Crowned Martyrs.
   Feast Day 8 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

English: The Four Crowned Saints. Statue commissioned by the

Arte dei Maestri di Pietra e Legname (Guild of Wood and Stone Cutters),

Orsanmichele, Florence, Italy. Sculptor: Nanni di Banco.

Français: Les Quatre saints couronnés. Statue commandée par l'arte dei Maestri

di Pietra e Legname (guilde des tailleurs de bois et de pierre). Orsanmichele, Florence.

Italiano: Tabernacolo dell'arte dei Maestri di Pietra e Legname,

con Quattro Santi Coronati di Nanni di Banco. Orsanmichele, Firenze.

Date: 1408.

Source: it:Utente:MM, own picture (April 2005).

Author: Nanni di Banco (Italian, 1375–1421).

(Wikimedia Commons)

These Saints were four brothers, whose names remained long unknown. They were called "The Four Crowned" because they received The Palm of Martyrdom and were Crowned in Heaven, 304 A.D.

Mass: Intret.

The Basilica of The Holy Four Crowned Martyrs, Rome.

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The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

The designation "Four Crowned Martyrs" or "Four Holy Crowned Ones" (in Latin, Sancti Quatuor Coronati), actually refers to nine separate Martyrs, divided into two groups:

First Group: Severus (or Secundius); Severian(us); Carpophorus (Carpoforus); Victorinus (Victorius, Vittorinus).

Second Group: Claudius; Castorius; Symphorian (Simpronian); Nicostratus; and Simplicius.

According to the Golden Legend, the names of the members of the First Group were not known at the time of their death “but were learned through the Lord’s revelation after many years had passed." They were called the "Four Crowned Martyrs", because their names were unknown ("Crown" referring to The Crown of Martyrdom).

The Martyrdom of The Four Crowned Martyrs.

Painting by Mario Minniti, in San Pietro dal Carmine, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy.

Date: Circa 1620.

Source: http://www.parrocchiadelcarmine.siracusa.it/opere_darte.html

Author: Minitti, Mario.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Severus (or Secundius), Severian(us), Carpophorus, Victorinus were Martyred at Rome, or Castra Albana, according to Christian Tradition.

According to the Passion of Saint Sebastian, the four Saints were soldiers (specifically "Cornicularii", or Clerks, in charge of all the Regiment's records and paperwork), who refused to sacrifice to Aesculapius, and therefore were killed by order of Emperor Diocletian (284 A.D. - 305 A.D.), two years after the death of the five sculptors. The bodies of the Martyrs were buried in the Cemetery of Santi Marcellino e Pietro, on the fourth mile of via Labicana, by Pope Miltiades and Saint Sebastian (whose skull is preserved in the Church).

The Second Group, according to Christian Tradition, were sculptors from Sirmium, who were killed in Pannonia. They refused to fashion a pagan statue for the Emperor Diocletian or to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. The Emperor ordered them to be placed alive in lead coffins and thrown into the sea, about 287 A.D. Simplicius was killed with them.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "the Acts of these Martyrs, written by a Revenue Officer, named "Porphyrius", probably in the 4th-Century, relates to the five sculptors that, although they raised no objections to executing such profane images as Victoria, Cupid, and the Chariot of the Sun, they refused to make a statue of Æsculapius for a heathen temple. For this they were condemned to death as Christians. They were put into leaden caskets and drowned in the River Save. This happened towards the end of 305 A.D."

English: Stained-Glass Window of the "Four Crowned Martyrs"

in the Assumption Church of Samoëns (Haute-Savoie, France).

Français: Vitrail (1982) dit des "Quatre Couronnés"

dans l'église de l'Assomption à Samoëns (Haute-Savoie).

Les fr:Quatre Saints couronnés sont les patrons

de la confrérie des maçons de Samoëns.

Photo: 29 August 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Tangopaso

(Wikimedia Commons)

When the names of the First Group were learned, it was decreed that they should be Commemorated with the Second Group. The bodies of the First Group were interred by Saint Sebastian and Pope Melchiades (Miltiades) at the third milestone on the Via Labicana, in a sandpit where rested the remains of other executed Christians. According to tradition, since the names of the Four Martyred Soldiers could not be authentically established, Pope Melchiades commanded that, since the date of their deaths (8 November) was the same as that of the Second Group, their anniversary should be celebrated on that day.

It is unclear where the names of the Second Group actually come from. The tradition states that Pope Melchiades asked that the Saints be Commemorated as Claudius, Nicostratus, Simpronian, and Castorius. These same names actually are identical to names shared by converts of Polycarp the Priest, in the legend of Saint Sebastian.

Entrance of San Silvestro Chapel, at the Basilica dei SS. Quattro Coronati,

Rome, Italy, with painting of The Four Crowned Martyrs.

Date: Circa 1570.

Source: www.universitadeimarmorari.it/ universita.html.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "this report has no historic foundation. It is merely a tentative explanation of the name Quatuor Coronati, a name given to a group of really authenticated Martyrs, who were buried and venerated in the Catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus, the real origin of which, however, is not known. They were classed with the Five Martyrs of Pannonia in a purely external relationship."

The bodies of the Martyrs are kept in four ancient sarcophagi, in the Crypt of Santi Marcellino e Pietro. According to a lapid, dated 1123, the head of one of the four Martyrs is buried in Santa-Maria-in-Cosmedin.

Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati, Rome, Italy.

Photo: 10 November 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: Lalupa.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the 4th- and 5th-Centuries A.D., a Basilica (the Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati) was erected and dedicated in honour of these Martyrs on the Caelian Hill, probably in the general area where Tradition located their execution. This became one of the Titular Churches of Rome and was restored several times.

The Four Crowned Martyrs were Venerated early on in England, with Saint Bede noting that there was a Church Dedicated to them in Canterbury. This Veneration can perhaps be accounted for by the fact that Augustine of Canterbury came from a Monastery near the Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati, in Rome, or because their Relics were sent from Rome to England in 601 A.D.

Their connection with stone-masonry, in turn, connected them to the Freemasons. One of the scholarly journals of the English Freemasons was called Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, and the Stonemasons of Germany adopted them as Patron Saints of "Operative Masonry."

Octave Day Of All Saints' Day. 8 November. And Allhallowtide.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless stated otherwise.

The Octave Day Of All Saints' Day.

   8 November.

Greater-Double.

White Vestments.

The Church Triumphant.

The Church Militant.

The Church Suffering.

Illustration taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

who reproduce Text and Illustrations from Saint Andrew's Daily Missal, 1952 Edition,

with the kind permission of SAINT BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Artist: René de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

"Allhallowtide".

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This Text is from the YouTube production of JMJHFPRODUCTIONS.

JMJHFPRODUCTIONS +J.M.J.+

All Hallows' Eve (31 October), All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallow's Day) (1 November), and All Souls' Day (2 November) are referred to as Allhallowtide and are a time of honouring The Saints and Praying for all departed Souls.

The term "Hallow" means "Holy". It is recited in The Lord's Prayer: "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name" (Mt 6:9).

All Hallows' Eve http://www.fisheaters.com/customstime...

Indulgences for The Holy Souls In Purgatory: The month of November is dedicated to The Holy Souls in Purgatory and is a privileged time to Pray for them. The Church Commemorates all her Faithful children, who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of Heaven.

Saint Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor sorrowful, "even as others who have no hope . . . The Lord, Himself, shall come down from Heaven . . . and The Dead, who are in Christ, shall rise."

The Church has always taught us to Pray for those who have gone into Eternity. Even in The Old Testament, Prayers and Alms were offered for The Souls of The Dead by those who thought "well and Religiously concerning The Resurrection." It was believed that "they, who had fallen asleep with Godliness, had great Grace laid up for them", and that "it is, therefore, a Holy and wholesome thought to Pray for The Dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

We know that a defiled Soul cannot enter into Heaven. God, Lord of Mercies, grant to the Souls of Your servants and handmaids, the place of refreshment, the bliss of Eternal Rest, and the splendour of Your Light.
Amen.

From 1 November through to 8 November, if we visit a Cemetery in a spirit of piety and devotion, and Pray, even just mentally, for The Dead, we may gain a Plenary Indulgence for one Holy Soul on each Day of The Octave (on the usual conditions). This special Indulgence is only applicable to The Dead. 

We can Pray any of The Raccolta Prayers: Numbered 582-600, [Editor: From Wikipedia: The Raccolta (literally, "collection" in Italian) is a book, published from 1807 to 1950, that listed Roman Catholic Prayers and other Acts of Piety, such as Novenas, for which specific Indulgences were granted by Popes. In 1968, it was replaced by the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, listing fewer specific Prayers, but including new general grants that apply to a wide range of Prayerful actions. The Text was in Italian, with the Prayers given in Latin.] to accomplish this end, and especially The Dies Irae Sequence

(Raccolta: Number 587).

Using a Traditional Missal, one can Pray a number of the Prayers from the 2 November Mass or a Requiem Mass. In The Catholic Bible (Douay Rheims), it is ideal to Pray Psalm 129 "The De Profundis". Also, on 2 November, we can gain a Plenary Indulgence for The Holy Souls by visiting a Church and piously Praying for The Dead, (One "Our Father" and "Creed" suffice), and fulfilling all the usual conditions for a Plenary Indulgence.

The usual conditions for a Plenary Indulgence are: 1) Pray for the Pope (usually one Our Father one Hail Mary); 2) Worthily receive Holy Communion the day of the Indulgence; 3) Make a Sacramental Confession within a week (before or after); 4) Be free from all attachment to Sin, even Venial Sin. A sincere and devout act of the will to this end suffices. * If we fail in the usual conditions, there is still merit in our good Pious Act, but usually only amounts to a Partial Indulgence.

It should be noted that, according to Traditional Church Discipline and Practice, Fasting and Partial Abstinence are OBLIGATORY on The Vigil of Pentecost and ALL SAINTS DAY. To read more about what The Catholic Church Traditionally teaches on Fasting and Abstinence, visit this Web-Site: http://www.fisheaters.com/fasting.html

NOVEMBER: DEVOTION TO THE HOLY SOULS. From Fr. Schouppe's book, entitled "Purgatory": "There is in Purgatory, as in Hell, a double pain - the pain of loss and the pain of sense. The pain of loss consists in being deprived from a time of the sight of God. It is a moral thirst which torments our Soul. The pain of sense, of sensible suffering, is the same as that which we experience in our flesh." (p.32).

"Speaking in general, The Doctors [of The Church] agree in saying that the pains are most excruciating. The same fire, says Saint Gregory, torments The Damned and purifies The Elect. 'Almost all Theologians', says Saint Robert Bellarmine, 'teach that The Reprobate and The Souls in Purgatory suffer the action of the same fire.' It must be held as certain, writes the same Bellarmine, that there is no proportion between the sufferings of this life and those of Purgatory.

Saint Augustine declares precisely the same. They will be saved, no doubt, after The Trial of Fire, but that Trial will be terrible, that torment will be more intolerable than all the most excruciating sufferings in this World. Behold what Saint Augustine says, and what Saint Gregory, Venerable Bede, Saint Anselm, and Saint Bernard, have said, after him. Saint Thomas Aquinas goes even further; he maintains that the least pain of Purgatory surpasses all the sufferings of this life, whatsoever they may be." (pp 33-34).

 Let us, therefore, offer fervent Prayers for The Holy Souls in Purgatory. Monthly Tridentine Masses are offered for all our Benefactors, who are also remembered in our Daily Prayers.
Deo grátias ! / Thank you !

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The following Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

The custom of celebrating, during eight days, The Feast of All Saints was established by Pope Sixtus IV in 1430 for The Universal Church.

Let us realise the part played by The Liturgy of The Church initiating us into The Liturgy of Heaven. "As daughter of those very Choirs that are continually singing before The Throne of God and The Lamb," said Pope Saint Pius X, as well as Pope Urban VIII, "it is proper that Divine Psalmody, by which The Spouse [Editor: The Church] consoles herself during her exile for the absence of her Divine Lord, should be without fault or stain."

Mass: As on The Feast Day.

Commemoration: The Holy Four Crowned Martyrs.

The Reform Of The Roman Breviary, By Pope Saint Pius X, With The Apostolic Constitution “Divino Afflatu” Of 1 November 1911.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

Pope Saint Pius X

from a page of “Catholic Missions for Germany and Austria-Hungary”,

in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany.

Date: October 1903.

Source: File scanned from Zeitung Die katholischen Missionen, Illustrierte Monatsschrift.

Author: Einige Priester der Gesellschaft Jesu, Freiburg-im-Breisgau.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Reform of The Roman Breviary, by Pope Saint Pius X, was promulgated by that Pope with The Apostolic Constitution “Divino Afflatu” of 1 November 1911.

An Apostolic Constitution (Latin “Constitutio Apostolica”) is the highest level of Decree issued by The Pope. The use of the term “Constitution” comes from Latin “Constitutio”, which referred to any important Law issued by The Roman Emperor, and is retained in Church documents because of the inheritance that The Canon Law of The Roman Catholic Church received from Roman Law.

By their nature, “Apostolic Constitutions” are addressed to the public. Generic constitutions use the Title “Apostolic Constitution”, and treat on solemn matters of The Church, such as the Promulgation of Laws or Definitive Teachings. The forms “Dogmatic Constitution” and “Pastoral Constitution” are Titles sometimes used to be more descriptive as to the document's purpose.

Apostolic Constitutions are issued as Papal Bulls, due to their solemn, public form. The next highest category, after an Apostolic Constitution, is an Encyclical Letter.

A page from The Psalter of The Aberdeen Breviary of 1509.

From a Copy in The National Library of Scotland.

Photo: 26 February 2008.

Source: National Library of Scotland.

Author: Andrew Myllar, Walter Chepman.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Roman Breviary is the Title of The Book obligatorily used for Celebrating The Roman Rite Divine Office from The Revision of Pope Saint Pius V (Apostolic Constitution “Quod A Nobis”, 9 July 1568) to that by Pope Saint Paul VI (Apostolic Constitution “Canticum Laudis”, 1 November 1970).

A minor matter was the printing, in a separate section, called “The Ordinary”, of those parts of The Psalter that were to be recited frequently, perhaps several times in the same day, such as The Invitatory, Hymns for The Seasons, Blessings, Absolutions, Chapters, Suffrages, The Lord's Prayer, Benedictus, Magnificat, Te Deum, etc.

Much more radical was a completely new arrangement of The Psalms, distributing them, or, when too long, dividing them, so as to have approximately the same number of Verses in each day's Office. The length of The Offices of The Breviary were reduced (for example, Matins went from eighteen Psalms recited on Sundays and twelve on Ferial Days, to nine Psalms or parts of Psalms, never more, with the result of reaching a fairly equal number of Verses for each day - between 360 Verses and 497 Verses - whereas the former Office of Saturday contained 792 Verses, and, that of Sunday, 721 Verses).

This change, made with a view to restoring the original use of The Liturgy, which provided for the Chant or Recitation of the entire Psalter each week, and the accompanying changes in The Rubrics concerning the precedence between Saints’ Days and The Sunday and Ferial Offices, was meant to remedy the situation whereby the multiplication of Saints’ Days had made Celebration of Sundays and Ferias, and, consequently, of certain Psalms, very rare.

With “The Reform”, The Psalter was once again recited integrally each week without suppressing The Feasts of Saints; the proper Liturgy of Sundays and weekdays was restored; The Readings of Holy Scripture, “Proper” to The Seasons of the year, were “Privileged”.

“The Divine Office”.

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English: Pope Benedict XV

Français: Photo de Benoît XV prise vers 1915.

Date: Circa 1915.

Source: Library of Congress.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Benedict XV modified the “Typical Edition” of The Roman Missal (“Missale Romanum”), in 1920, to accommodate the changes made by Pope Saint Pius X.

Each day, therefore, had its own Psalms, as arranged in the new Psalter, except certain Feast Days, about 125 in number, viz., all those of Christ, and their Octaves, The Sundays within The Octaves of The Nativity, Epiphany, Ascension, Corpus Christi, The Vigil of The Epiphany, and The Day After The Octave of The Ascension, when The Office is of these days; The Vigil of The Nativity from Lauds to None and The Vigil of Pentecost; all The Feasts of The Blessed Virgin Mary, of The Angels, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Joseph, and The Apostles, as well as Doubles of The First-Class and Second-Class and their entire Octaves.

The Office for The Last Three Days of Holy Week remained unchanged, except that The Psalms for Lauds were from the corresponding Days of The Week in The Psalter, and, for Compline, those of Sunday. For all other Feasts, and for Ferias in Eastertide, The Psalms were those of the new Psalter, while the rest of The Office was from “The Proper” or “Common”.

When a Feast has special Antiphons for any of The Major Hours, it retained them with its own Psalms. Except for certain Feasts, The Lessons of The First Nocturn were to be the current Lessons from Scripture, though The Responsories were to be taken from “The Common” or “Proper”. Any Feast that had its own “Proper Lessons” retained them; for Feasts with their own Responsories, those with The Common Lessons were to be read.

Pope Pius X ordered that these changes, proposed by a Committee of Liturgists appointed by him, and adopted by The Congregation of Rites, be put into effect, at latest, on 1 January 1913.

Portrait of a Pope, possibly Pope Pius V (Reigned 1566-1572).

Artist: Palma il Giovane (1550–1628).

Collection: Chianciano Art Museum, Tuscany, Italy.

Source/Photographer: BONHAMS

(Wikimedia Commons)

The ageing, enthroned, Pope turns toward the viewer, while making the sign of Blessing with his Right Hand. Pope Saint Pius V (1566-1572) belonged to the Ghislieri family, and on the top of the back of the Throne is his family's Coat-of-Arms, Crowned by The Papal Tiara and The Keys of Saint Peter, a symbol of The Papacy's descent from Christ's Apostle.

Through The Apostolic Constitution “Divino Afflatu”, by which Pope Saint Pius X promulgated his Revision of The Roman Breviary, he abolished The Psalter established by his predecessor, Pope Saint Pius V.

By the Motu Proprio “Ab Hinc Duos Annos”, of 23 October 1913, Pope Saint Pius X added to his Reform of 1 November 1911: No Feast was to be fixed to a Sunday, except The Holy Name of Jesus and The Blessed Trinity - later, The Feasts of The Holy Family and of Christ The King would be added. The Octaves were equally Simplified.

These changes made it necessary to modify The Roman Missal, also. This was effected in the 1920 “Typical Edition” of The Missal, promulgated by Pope Saint Pius X's successor, Pope Benedict XV.

Through The Apostolic Constitution “Divino Afflatu”, by which Pope Saint Pius X promulgated his Revision of The Roman Breviary, he abolished The Psalter established by his predecessor, Pope Saint Pius V, and forbade its use, declaring that those who were obliged to recite The Divine Office, every day, failed to fulfil this grave duty unless they used the new arrangement.

The wording of his Apostolic Constitution echoed closely that of his predecessor's “Quod A Nobis”, promulgating The Tridentine Roman Breviary, and also the same predecessor's “Quo Primum”, promulgating The Tridentine Roman Missal. It included the paragraph: “This we publish, declare, sanction, decreeing that these our Letters always are and shall be valid and effective, notwithstanding Apostolic Constitutions and Ordinances, general and special, and everything else whatsoever to the contrary. Wherefore, let nobody infringe or temerariously oppose this page of our abolition, revocation, permission, Ordinance, precept, statue, Indult, mandate and will. But, if anybody shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of Almighty God and of His Apostles The Blessed Peter and Paul.

“Quod A Nobis” concluded with: “Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam Nostrae ablationis, abolitionis, permissionis, praecepti, statuti, indulti, mandati, decreti, relaxationis, cohortationis, prohibitionis, innodationis, et voluntatis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si qui autem hoc attentare praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei, ac beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius se noverit incursurum”.

The complete Psalter Psalms.

Another point, controversial at the time of Pope Saint Pius X's Breviary Reforms,

was The Suppression of the immemorial and universally-held usage

of reciting Psalms 148, 149, and 150, at the end of Lauds, daily.

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An Article, published in the September 2003 issue of “The Angelus”, associated with The Society of Saint Pius X, remarks: “The distribution of The Psalms in Saint Pius X's Breviary was entirely new. It only partially took into account the ancient Tradition of The Church, for example, abandoning the number of twelve Psalms at Matins, a number Consecrated by a Tradition going back to The Desert Fathers and expressly Codified in The Rule of Saint Benedict. Another point, controversial at the time, was The Suppression of the immemorial and universally-held usage of reciting Psalms 148, 149, and 150, at the end of Lauds, daily. This amounts to saying that The Breviary of Pope Saint Pius X did not have so much in common with that of his predecessor and that Clerics were significantly unsettled in their habits ! ”

To correspond to the new Psalms, The Antiphonary of The Traditional Roman Office was also almost completely overhauled, as well. Pre-1911, there were 141 unique Antiphons in The Psalter. Post-1911, there were 220. Only sixty-two Antiphons were recognisably the same, and several of these added words or removed them. Many of the overlapping ones were those for the special Seasons (Advent, Lent, Passiontide), not for the per annum (Ordinary Time) Ferias. Thus, seventy-nine Antiphons of the Pre-1911 Breviary were removed, and 158 unique to the Post-1911 Breviary introduced.

Theodora Children's Charity. Help Send A Giggle Doctor To Visit A Sick Child And Make That Child Laugh.

Théodora was a happy, funny, always optimistic

person. She exuded this positive energy

which she would give to everyone she met.

She was open to everyone

and comfortable with everyone.

And always incredibly kind-hearted.

-André Poulie.

Can you help a Child to laugh ?

The Theodora Children's Charity Web-Site is

HERE

A small donation will go a very long way to make a sick Child laugh again.

Thank You.

All Children Deserve Laughter.

Since our very first visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital back in 1994, our Giggle Doctors have given joy and laughter to thousands of children during their treatment in hospitals, hospices, and specialist care centres. Our reach has continued to grow, and now, our 25 Giggle Doctors visit over 33,000 children each year.

Theodora Children’s Charity was founded by two brothers André and Jan, in memory of their mother Théodora Poulie. While they were growing up in Switzerland, André and Jan were given the freedom to be kids—to be silly, to be adventurous, to be themselves.

Try not to laugh !!!

Giggle Doctors at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

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Following a severe accident, André spent many months of his youth inside a hospital, undergoing 14 operations over the span of 2 years. Théodora transformed his painful experience by bringing games, songs, and stories to his bedside through her daily visits. Her presence served as André’s painkiller during his stay, and her positive energy from those brief visiting hours spread and remained, affecting the other kids in the ward as well.

When the two brothers’ father became ill, Théodora helped organise home care for him. She also helped her sons cope when their father eventually passed away. And later on, when Théodora herself was diagnosed with cancer, she continued to demonstrate incredible courage and resilience through humour. After her death, André and Jan decided to start a charity in memory of their mother using some of the money that their parents left them with.

Giggle Doctors.

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Before the first visits from the Giggle Doctors, André visited the hospital where he spent most of his months back when he was a boy and spoke to the surgeon who operated on him. He easily convinced an oncologist, Dr Beck, who saw the psychological benefits of joy and laughter in children’s cancer treatment. He was even able to convince the head nurse who used to scold him and the other kids in his ward when they were caught playing with water-filled syringes. Afterwards, they recruited the first Giggle Doctors who would eventually go on to visit children in the Great Ormond Street Hospital on Théodora’s birthday in April 1994. Now, our Giggle Doctors give laughter to thousands of children across the country receiving medical treatment.

We hope you enjoy reading about our history and the significant moments that have helped shape the Theodora Children’s Charity today. Scroll down to learn more about our journey over the years.

Kerry speaks about her experience with The Giggle Doctors.

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Can you help a Child to laugh ?

The Theodora Children's Charity Web-Site is

HERE

A small donation will go a very long way to make a sick Child laugh again.

Thank You.

The Sanctoral Cycle.

Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Pope Saint Pius X, in his Bull “Divino Afflatu”, promulgated 1 November 1911, points out the order to be observed in The Celebration of The Feasts of Saints, which, in the course of the year, come in among those of The Cycle of The Mysteries of Our Lord's Life [Editor: “The Temporal Cycle”].

The first place in the order is given to The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Then come The Holy Angels. 

Next, according to the greater or lesser share they have in The Plan of The Incarnation:

Saint John the Baptist, the Precursor of The Messias;

Saint Joseph;

Saint Peter and Saint Paul and the other Apostles, whose Feasts have always been Celebrated with special Solemnity;

The Feasts of National Saints, Patrons of Dioceses and Parishes, come in The First Rank because of special gratitude due to them;

Next, come Feasts of Dedication of Churches;

Martyrs;

Pontiffs, i.e., Popes or Bishops;

Doctors of The Church, i.e., Fathers of The Church, the authorised interpreters of The Word of God;

Confessors, i.e., those, who, by their life or doctrine, have Confessed Christ;

Virgins and other Holy Women.

The most important and the most numerous Solemnities of this Cycle, especially those of The Time After Pentecost, bring into full light The Cycle of Christ, for it is by Him that the World must be renewed: “Instaurare omnia in Christo” [Editor: “Restore All Things In Christ”]

Resting one upon the other, these two Cycles [Editor: The Sanctoral Cycle and The Temporal Cycle] form, as it were, an immense Monstrance, set with Precious Stones. In the centre, is The Host, or, “The Mass of The Faithful”, with the three parts which constitute it: The Offertory; The Consecration; The Communion.

Around it, is “The Mass of The Catechumens”, which varies every day, whereby, at The Altar, as with Luminous Rays, we are shown the different Mysteries on each Sunday and Solemnity of The Proper of The Time. Then, in the intervals left free, like lesser Rays, shine The Feasts in honour of The Saints.

The Church carries this Divine Sun through the World in all times, raises it daily towards Heaven in her Liturgical Worship, that, by it, we may offer to God an ever-renewed homage of our gratitude, and receive, from it, the treasures of Grace and Holiness.

The Sixth Day Within The Octave Of All Saints' Day. 6 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

The Sixth Day Within The Octave Of All Saints' Day.
   6 November.

The Church Triumphant.

The Church Militant.

The Church Suffering.

Illustration taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY

who reproduce Text and Illustrations from Saint Andrew's Daily Missal, 1952 Edition,

with the kind permission of SAINT BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Artist: René de Cramer.

“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.

Used with Permission.

Mass: As on The Day of The Feast (Gaudeámus omnes).

Creed: Is said.

The Three Great New Testament Canticles: The Magnificat; The Benedictus; The Nunc Dimittis.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven by Her Beloved Son.

Illustration: CALEFACTORY.ORG

There are three great New Testament Canticles:

The Magnificat

(The Canticle of Mary).

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The Magnificat (Latin for: [My Soul] magnifies) — also known as The Song of Mary, The Canticle of Mary and, in Byzantine Tradition, The Ode of The Theotokos; Greek: Ἡ ᾨδὴ τῆςΘεοτόκου — is a Canticle frequently sung (or spoken) Liturgically in Christian Church Services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian Hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian Hymn. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin version of The Canticle's Text.

The Text of The Canticle is taken directly from The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:46-55), where it is spoken by The Virgin Mary upon the occasion of her Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. In the narrative, after Mary greets Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist, the child moves within Elizabeth's womb. When Elizabeth praises Mary for her Faith, Mary sings what is now known as The Magnificat, in response.

The Benedictus

(Canticle of Zachary).

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The Benedictus

(Canticle of Zachary).

By: Karl Jenkins.

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The Benedictus (also known as The Song of Zechariah or The Canticle of Zachary), given in The Gospel of Luke 1:68-79, is one of the three Canticles in the opening Chapters of this Gospel, the other two being The "Magnificat" and The "Nunc Dimittis". The Benedictus was The Song of Thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the Circumcision of his son, John the Baptist.

The Canticle received its name from its first words in Latin (“Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel”, “Blessed be The Lord God of Israel”).

Zacharias writes down the name of his son, John

[Editor: John the Baptist], before singing The Benedictus.

Artist: Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449–1494).

Date: 1486-1490.

Current location: Tornabuoni Chapel, Florence, Italy.

Source: Web Gallery of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Nunc Dimittis

(Canticle of Simeon).

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The Nunc Dimittis, also known as The Song of Simeon, or The Canticle of Simeon, is a Canticle from a New Testament Text in The Second Chapter of Luke's Gospel. It is so named after its "Incipit" [Editor: First few words of the Text] in Latin, meaning "Now you dismiss . . . (Luke 2:29–32), often used as the final Hymn in The Religious Service of Compline. According to the narrative in Luke's Gospel, Simeon was a devout Jew who had been promised by The Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen The Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought The Baby Jesus to The Temple in Jerusalem, for the Ceremony of Consecration of The First-Born Son, Simeon was there, and he took Jesus into his arms and uttered words rendered variously as follows.

Simeon's Song of Praise

(The Nunc Dimittis)

Artist; Aert de Gelder (1645–1727).

Date: 1700-1710.

Current location: Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis

The Hague, Netherlands.

Source/Photographer: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Latin (Vulgate):

Nunc dimittis servum tuum,

Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:

Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum

Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:

Lumen ad revelationem gentium,

et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

English (Douay-Rheims, 1582):

Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, 

according to Thy word in peace;

Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation,

Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

A light to the revelation of the Gentiles,

and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Sunday, 8 December 2019. 0900 hrs. Pontifical Mass At The Throne On The Feast Of The Immaculate Conception. At Holy Name Heights Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Illustration: FR. Z's BLOG

Saint Vitalis And Saint Agricola. Martyrs. Feast Day 4 November.

Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Vitalis And Saint Agricola.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 4 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Painting of the Christian Martyrs, Vitalis and Agricola, in Bologna, Italy.

Date: 7 April 2014.

Source: Own work.

Attribution:

Čeština: Petr Vodička, Wikipedie

English: Petr Vodička, Wikipedia

Author: Petr Vodička

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: The sarcophagus of Saint Agricola,

in the "Basilica dei santi Vitale e Agricola"

(also known as "The Seven Churches", Bologna, Italy.

Italiano: Complesso monumentale della Basilica di Santo Stefano

a Bologna (detto anche "Le sette chiese"): Basilica dei santi

Vitale e Agricola; sarcofago di San Agricola.

Date: 27 April 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: M.Violante

(Wikimedia Commons)

"At Bologna," says The Roman Martyrology, "The Holy Martyrs Vitalis and Agricola; the first a servant of the latter, who became his companion and colleague by Martyrdom in 304 A.D.

"His persecutor exhausted on him [Editor: Saint Vitalis] every kind of torment, and not a part of his body was left unwounded. He suffered these tortures with fortitude and he died Praying.

"Saint Agricola was Crucified. The Translation of the Relics of both Saints took place in the presence of Saint Ambrose, who says that he collected the nails, his glorious blood, and the Cross on which Saint Agricola was nailed, and placed them under The High Altar."

Mass: Sapiéntiam.

Saint Charles Borromeo. Bishop. Confessor. Feast Day 4 November.

Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Charles Borromeo.
   Bishop.
   Confessor.
   Feast Day 4 November.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: Coat-of-Arms of The House of Borromeo, in the Scurolo di san Carlo Borromeo

("Saint Charles Borromeo's Crypt"), Milan Cathedral, Italy.

Date: 29 January 2007.

Photo by Giovanni Dall'Orto,

Italiano: Duomo di Milano - Stemma della famiglia Borromeo,

nello Scurolo di san Carlo Borromeo.

Foto di Giovanni Dall'Orto, 29-1-2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: G.dallorto

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Charles Borromeo.

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Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo.

Artist: Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1553–1608).

Date: Between 1560 and 1608.

Collection: Museo Diocesano in Milan

Source/Photographer: Museo Diocesano di Milano

(arteecarte.it,italian) (Uploaded by User:Lupo to en.wikipedia).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Charles Borromeo was raised up by God to be one of the chief instruments of the true Reformation of The Church in the 16th-Century. It was greatly to his wisdom that The Council of Trent was happily concluded.

Made a Cardinal at the age of twenty-three, he soon became Archbishop of Milan (Introit, Epistle, Gradual, Communion, Offertory). He held Synods and Councils, established Colleges and Communities, renewed the spirit of his Clergy and of Monasteries, and Founded Asylums for the Poor and Orphans.

The most remarkable of his works was the creation of Diocesan Seminaries, whose Rules were adopted in all those that were instituted later. He died in 1584.

Mass: Státuit.

Commemoration: Of The Octave of All Saints.

Commemoration: Saint Vitalis and Saint Agricola. Martyrs.

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