MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN, POPE AND BISHOP, MARTYRS.

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS & CYPRIAN, POPE & BISHOP, MARTYRS.

"Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.

As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a ­widow.

"A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her,

“Do not weep.”

He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted,

and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”

"The dead man sat up and began to speak, 

and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, 

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.”

This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region." (Luke 7: 11 - 17).

Tuesday 16th September 2025 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Cornelius (Pope and Martyr) and Cyprian (Bishop and Martyr).

Pope Cornelius was martyred under Emperor Gallus in 253.

St Cyprian, a Bishop from Carthage (modern Tunisia) was martyred in 258 under Emperor Valerian.

The two saints we honor today were acquainted with one another. 

They lived under one of the most severe persecutions of the Church.

Tens of thousands were martyred. 

Rome was determined to stamp out once and for all Christianity in the empire.

Many Christians did not have the courage to face martyrdom. 

So they denied Jesus in order to preserve their lives. 

When the violent persecution abated, those Christians who denied Jesus wanted to be received back into the Church.

Some Bishops said Yes. Other Bishops refused them a second chance. 

The controversy nearly split the Church asunder.

Pope Cornelius wanted the Christians who apostasized to confess their sins and do appropriate penance and be allowed to rejoin the Church.

Many Bishops opposed him.

St Cyprian from the powerful African Church in Carthage came to his support. 

Their side won and schism was prevented.

In the Prayer over the Gifts for this Mass, the Church affirmed that the Eucharist gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian the courage to offer their lives for Christ.

 The same Eucharist can keep us faithful in all our trials, the Church prays.

If you can receive the Eucharist more than once a week and do not do so, how can you justify your abstinence from such a Gift? It is simply ridiculous.

[Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offerings of your people in honor of the passion of your holy Martyrs Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, and may the gifts that gave them courage under persecution make us, too, steadfast in all trials.Through Christ our Lord.]

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10