September 16--St. Cyprian of Carthange, Bishop and Martyr

 

Mosaic of Saint Cyprian of Carthage from Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, CC 4.0.

Galerius Maximus: "Are you Thascius Cyprianus?"
Cyprian: "I am."
Galerius: "The most sacred Emperors have commanded you to conform to the Roman rites."
Cyprian: "I refuse."
Galerius: "Take heed for yourself."
Cyprian: "Do as you are bid; in so clear a case I may not take heed."
Galerius: "You have long lived an irreligious life, and have drawn together a number of men bound by an unlawful association, and professed yourself an open enemy to the gods and the religion of Rome; and the pious, most sacred and august Emperors ... have endeavoured in vain to bring you back to conformity with their religious observances; whereas therefore you have been apprehended as principal and ringleader in these infamous crimes, you shall be made an example to those whom you have wickedly associated with you; the authority of law shall be ratified in your blood. It is the sentence of this court that Thascius Cyprianus be executed with the sword." 

Cyprian: "Thanks be to God."

Thus, the trial and sentencing of St. Cyprian of Carthage in A.D. 258 under Emperor Valerian. He had survived the Decian persecution eight years earlier by going into hiding. However, many had criticized him for that. He explained that he needed to be pastor for his flock, whereas in the latter persecution he explained that he needed to be an example. In between, when the persecution had been relaxed, many who had lapsed from the faith in fear of martyrdom desired to return to the fold. St. Cyprian approved, but only after an appropriate public penance. He was opposed by those who wanted no penance and those who wanted no readmission! Pope St. Cornelius, whose feast day Cyprian shares, agreed with him. Reconciliation is a necessary sacrament for us as well! St. Cyprian, pray for us.

September 16--St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr

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What would happen today if someone threatened to kill or harm us if we were Christian? There are modern martyrs in the Church. But what if we denied our faith? In the third century, when St. Cornelius was pope, persecution was an off and on problem for the Church. It happened sporadically, but intensely. When the persecution subsided, those Christians who had denied their faith to avoid martyrdom wanted to be readmitted to the Church. The question facing St. Cornelius was whether, and how, to readmit lapsed Christians.

One option was to deny the lapsed Christians any forgiveness and readmission to the Church. This was supported at various times and by various Church leaders leading to schisms and heresies. The other option was to use the Sacrament of Penance as a means of readmitting the sinners back into the Church. Pope St. Cornelius advocated this approach. Pope St. Cornelius was opposed by Novatian, who became an anti-pope. Novatian was condemned, but his schism spread to other places in the empire. The Synod of Rome in 251 affirmed the pope’s decision and the lapsed Christians were welcomed back according to the “medicines of repentance.” Pope St. Cornelius died a martyr during exile by the emperor in A.D. 253.

The Church teaches us in the Catechism: “Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful….” Let us use the “medicines of repentance” to bring us closer to God!

*https://wellcomecollection.org/works/fa53bzw9