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September 16: Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs—Memorial
Saint Cornelius: d. 253
Patron Saint of cattle and domestic animals
Invoked against earaches, epilepsy, fevers, and twitching
Saint Cyprian: c. 200–258
Patron Saint of Algeria and North Africa
Pre-Congregation canonizations
Liturgical Color: Red
VIEW Mass Offerings for Sept. 15, 2026: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19F9rmlONtygwtlD0KFBvnxjf45Qu79Jj/view?usp=sharing
Quote:
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: “Consider your choice and the consequences.” Cyprian: “Do as you will; in such a clear case I accept the consequences.” 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…you shall be made an example to those whom you have wickedly associated with; 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.” ~Trial of Saint Cyprian
Reflection: Today, we honor Saints Cornelius and Cyprian. Nothing is known about Cornelius’s upbringing and early life. In 251, he was elected as the twenty-first pope, a position he held until his death two years later. Cyprian, born Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus, was the son of wealthy pagan parents in North Africa. Well educated in Greco-Roman literature and rhetoric, he had a successful career as a lawyer and teacher. Around the age of forty-six, he converted to Christianity and gave much of his wealth away, devoting himself to prayer and asceticism. Within three years, he was ordained a deacon, a priest, and finally, the Bishop of Carthage, in modern-day Tunisia, North Africa, around the year 249.
In 250, Roman Emperor Decius implemented the first empire-wide, systematic persecution of Christians. He required all citizens to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods in the presence of Roman officials. Once citizens had performed this sacrilegious act, they received an official certificate of sacrifice confirming their compliance. Those who refused faced threats of property confiscation, torture, prison, and even death. Emperor Decius died in battle the following year, which brought an abrupt, albeit temporary, end to the persecution.
During the Decian persecutions, Pope Fabian had refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods and was martyred. Afterward, ongoing and fierce persecutions made it impossible to elect a successor to the Chair of Saint Peter. During that time, various priests in Rome, including a priest named Novatian, helped govern the Church. After fourteen months, once Emperor Decius died and the persecutions ended, a group of bishops gathered in Rome and elected Cornelius as the new pope. Novatian was displeased with this development and had himself ordained as a second bishop of Rome, positioning himself as the first antipope.
By 251, the Church faced internal conflict regarding what should be done with those who had complied with the sacrifices. These individuals were referred to as lapsi for lapsing in their faith. Some bishops supported reconciliation of the lapsi, while others did not. Among the supporters of mercy were Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian.
The rival Bishop of Rome, Novatian, believed that the Church did not have the authority to forgive those who had offered sacrilegious sacrifices to the Roman gods. As a result, he believed that the lapsi could not be restored to full communion with the Church and readmitted to the sacraments. Pope Cornelius firmly disagreed, maintaining that after repentance and a period of public penance, the lapsi could be welcomed back into communion with the Church.
After Novatian became antipope, Pope Cornelius convened a synod of sixty bishops in Rome who supported him and jointly excommunicated Novatian. From there, bishops across the Roman Empire were invited to show their support for the legitimate pope and for the pastoral approach of reconciling the lapsi. One of the most fervent supporters of Pope Cornelius was Bishop Cyprian, who was among the sixty bishops who attended the synod in Rome. Following the synod, he wrote extensively to gain others’ support.
After Emperor Decius died, Gallus became the Roman emperor. Though Gallus did not continue the empire-wide persecution of Christians, he did support the restoration of pagan Roman religious practices. Within a year of becoming emperor, he had Pope Cornelius exiled to Centumcellae (modern-day Civitavecchia), a city just outside Rome, on the Mediterranean coast. A year later, due to harsh conditions, Pope Cornelius died in exile and is considered a martyr.
In 253, Emperor Gallus died in battle, and Valerian became Roman emperor. At first, he was somewhat indifferent to Christians; however, in 257, he initiated his own empire-wide persecution. He first decreed that the clergy had to participate in Roman pagan rituals. A year later, he ordered the death of bishops, priests, and deacons who refused to renounce their faith. Laypeople were stripped of their titles, and their property was confiscated. Bishop Cyprian was among those arrested in 257. In 258, he was put on trial in Carthage, and when he refused to renounce his faith, he was beheaded. When the sentence was pronounced, he exclaimed, “Thanks be to God!” In gratitude, he even gave his executioner a gold coin.
Being a man of exceptional learning, Saint Cyprian left behind a wealth of writings. He wrote many letters, providing us with a clear picture of the historical situation of the Church and the Roman world at that time. He defended the Church against the lapsi heresy, worked to end the Novatian schism, and wrote works on the unity of the Church, the Lord’s Prayer, Christian death, almsgiving, and the Sacraments.
Saints Cornelius and Cyprian lived and served Christ and His Church during a tumultuous time. They faced severe persecution from the state and led the people of God through that suffering by word and example. They also vigorously supported the unity of the Church, were merciful to sinners, and were true shepherds of their flocks.
As we honor these early saints, ponder the impact that they had on the early Church. Their witness affected the people of their time and has had an ongoing effect upon subsequent generations. Honor these holy men of God by imitating their courage and mercy in your own life so that God will use you to influence not only those in your life but also those who will come after you in ways that are known only to God.
Prayer: Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, you loved God and remained firm in your faith, even in the face of persecution and death. Your courageous witness was coupled with a pastoral witness to God’s mercy. Please pray for me, that I will imitate your courage and merciful hearts, always standing strong in my faith and offering forgiveness to every sinner. Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Unit Leader: Bro. Dave & Sis. Tess Calces
☺Household Leader: Bro. Daniel & Sis. Dome Magno
Members:
-Bro. Joewey & Sis. Mayang Morales
-Bro. Rodel & Sis. Shirly Saludes
-Bro. Emman & Sis. Joan Leonor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Sonny & Sis. Cora Andal
Members:
-Bro. Bernie & Sis. Lorna Faustino
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Lani Mangalus
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Gina Salma
-Bro. Nonie & Sis. Josie Fajilan
☺Household Leader: Bro. Edmund & Sis. Eve Espiritu
Members:
-Bro. Bart & Sis. Kathy Fallaria
-Bro. Dan & Sis. Tess Tolentino
-Bro. Eric & Sis. Lilian Lingal
☺Household Leader: Bro. Rodel & Sis. Mhang Manuel
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Irene Austria
-Bro. Willy & sis. Milly Lathrop
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Jessa Quing-quing
-Bro. Ernie & Sis. Darmie Sojor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Cris & Sis. Nora Pineda
Our Activities:
National Shrine of Saint Jude: Legion of Mary Praesidium
MARIA SPES SINENSIUM Members :
- President: Caroline Gozun
SCOPE OF WORK:
Home to home visitation; taking and updating of the parish census; recruitment and follow up of active and auxiliary members; follow up on marriage validation, baptismal, Holy Communion and confirmation cases; hospital visitation; block rosary; participation in various parish and curia activities.
ABOUT:
The Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realising the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
The Cause for Beatification has been introduced for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.