Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop
Martyrs, Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
Cornelius and Cyprian, the first a pope, the second a bishop, both asserted the freedom to spread the message of Christ and both paid with their lives for their courage. To them, Christ was worth living for and therefore worth dying for. They preferred their inner freedom, for which Christ had paid the price, to freedom from bodily harm; they witnessed to the right of people to be free from all oppression.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
your Son Jesus Christ gave himself totally
for the sake of those he loved – that is for all.
Like him, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian
gave themselves for their flock.
Give us a bit of this unselfish love,
that we too may learn
that there is more in giving ourselves
than in receiving honour and favours.
May the Spirit make us also so much one
that we graciously share with one another
our God-given riches and gifts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Trust in God
However, we carry this treasure in jars of clay so that this all-surpassing power may not be attributed to us, but to God.
We face all kinds of trials, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair,
persecuted, but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed.
At any moment, we carry in our bodies the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in us.
For we, the living, are continually given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal existence.
So death is at work in us, but life in you.
We have received the same spirit of faith mentioned in Scripture, which states: I believed and so I spoke. We also believe, and so we speak.
We know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and bring us with you into his presence.
Finally, everything is for your good so that grace will come more abundantly upon you, and there will be greater thanksgiving for the glory of God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
R. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed be the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,
who encourages us in our every affliction.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep those you have given me in your name, so that they may be one as we are one.
When I was with them, I kept them safe in your name; and not one was lost, except the one destined to be lost, and that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Now I come to you; in the world I speak these things so that those whom you gave me may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
I do not ask you to remove them from the world, but protect them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.
I have sent them into the world just as you sent me into the world;
and for their sakes I consecrate myself, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
your Son Jesus Christ was close to people
as he is close to you and to us now.
Give us his Spirit,
that we may become close
to those dear to us and entrusted to us,
full of attentions and understanding,
not drawing attention to ourselves
but to him who is in our midst,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you made Saints Cornelius and Cyprian
strong and courageous enough
to stand up for their faith
and for the right of their people to worship you.
Give to all of us your Spirit of fortitude
to profess the faith that is our treasure
and to bear witness that we can rely on you,
for we have the promise of Jesus
that he will be with us till the end of time,
and he is our Lord for ever.