Sts. Cornelius, Pope & Cyprian Bishop
Martyrs - Menorial
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Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
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 honor and favors.
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.
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.