THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN. POPE AND BISHOP RESPECTIVELY. MARTYRS.
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS, POPE AND MARTYR AND ST CYPRIAN, BISHOP AND MARTYR.
Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026.
Wednesday 16th September 2026 in the 24th Week of Ordinary Time is the Memorial 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."
The Eucharist gave Cornelius and Cyprian courage under persecution. The Holy Eucharist will do the same for you.
"Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like?
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’
For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (LUKE 7: 31 - 35).
When Jesus compares us to little children in the marketplace who refuse to play the game according to rules, what is He saying?
If you want to be an adult Christian, you must learn one truth and abide by it.
Nobody can please the world. The world has no gold standard.
It has rather arbitrary rules strung together to satisfy selfish whims.
The world controls people through Opinion Polls.
Many people are terrified of adverse opinions from their neighbors, peers and the public.
Jesus did not care what people think about Him.
His greatest desire is to do the will of His Father.
In His teaching in today's Gospel, Jesus is not theoretical. He gives examples:
"For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners."
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11: 18 - 19).
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:
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