September 16 2026 - Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, martyrs - Courage and Humility

 

Around the year 250, there was a very intentional attempt on the part of the Roman Empire to root out Christians. The vehemently anti-Christian emperor Decius mandated that all citizens had to prove their loyalty to the empire by offering incense to the Roman Gods. The emperor was well aware that Christians could not commit this act because for us it was both an act of idolatry—worshipping a false God—and apostasy—publicly denying our belief in Jesus Christ.

Some Christians tried to skirt around the mandate by bribing authorities to obtain a document which stated that they offered the pagan sacrifice without actually having to offer it. But that document still marked them as apostates.  

There were several notable martyrs of this persecution, including the Pope, Pope Fabian. Others went into hiding to avoid both martyrdom and having to commit this act.

A new Pope was elected, Pope Cornelius, whom we honor today. And Pope Cornelius had a challenging question to answer: can those Christian who committed apostasy be returned to Holy Communion? After all, they denied Christ publicly, they publicly separated themselves from the Church.

So, in the year 251, Pope Cornelius called a synod in Rome to discuss this matter. After hearing from his bishops and theologians, he declared that, yes, the apostates could be restored to communion, as long as they underwent what he called “the usual medicines of repentance”.  He affirmed that through penance and firm purpose of amendment, a sinner could be readmitted to Communion again.

Pope Cornelius was supported in this pronouncement by many bishops, but especially St. Cyprian, whom we also honor today, the most important bishop in North Africa, and one of the most important theologians and writers of the time.

All these centuries later, we still have a letter St. Cyprian wrote to Pope Cornelius describing how they would likely undergo their own struggles, and prayed that they would keep the faith through them. And he was right, two years later, Pope Cornelius was martyred when Decius’ successor, the emperor Trebonianus Gallus fired upon the persecutions again. Eventually, the persecutions reached Carthage in North Africa, and Cyprian was martyred under the Emperor Valerian in 258.

I love this story because it is such a vivid picture of the Church trying to be faithful amidst the hostility of the world both to the seriousness of the Gospel and to the mercy of Christ—the Church at her best: uncompromising about the truth, but never despairing of the sinner.

We are all to seek to be faithful to God as we possibly can, knowing that our witness is powerful. And yet, we are also to repent and seek God’s mercy when we fail, knowing that God is full of love, kindness, and mercy for the sinner.

Through the intercession of the saints, may we be serious about avoiding sin, and serious about repentance, courageous in witnessing to the Gospel and humble in seeking mercy, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That the Pope and all the clergy may be effective instruments of mercy, and for the grace and strength to seek out the lost, last, and least.

That through the intercession of the martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.

For an end to government corruption and politically motivated violence, and all forms of greed which breed hatred and war.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

January 20 2025 - Pope St. Fabian and St. Sebastian - Spirit of Fortitude

 Today we have the option of celebrating the memorials of two martyrs: St. Sebastian, a lay person martyred in the persecutions in Rome in the third century under the emperor Diocletian, and Pope Saint Fabian, who was martyred about thirty years earlier, when the Emperor Decius decreed that all Christians must offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods, and killed the ones that wouldn’t.

Little is known historically about St. Sebastian, yet depictions of his martyrdom are vast. The legends state that Saint Sebastian was a Christian who joined the Roman army and would secretly visit the Christians who were arrested  and sentenced to death, so he could give them comfort and encouragement.  He was discovered, and sentenced to death by the Emperor himself; he was to be put to death by being shot with arrows.  He was shot at by numerous archers.  But miraculously, he did not die.

Artistic depictions often show Sebastian standing by a Roman column with arrows sticking out of him.  After being nursed back to health, another saint, Saint Irene, St. Sebastian again, went on to publicly denounce the emperor for his cruelty to Christians.  This time the sentence of death was carried out, and he was beaten to death with clubs.  His relics are kept at the Basilica of St. Sebastian in Rome, though his head is in the famous church of the Four Crowned Martyrs.

Here is a martyr of tremendous courage and perseverance.  Perhaps this is why he is the patron saint of Athletes, many young athletes, 1800 years later, still take him as a patron at the time of their Sacramental Confirmations.

Pope Saint Fabian was Pope from 236 to 250 AD.  He is famous for the miraculous nature of his election, in which a dove is said to have descended on his head to mark him as the Holy Spirit's unexpected choice to become the next pope.  

Fabian organized great care for the poor in Rome and the flock began to grow again after a terrible persecution.  Yet, along came the new Emperor Decius, who decreed that all Christians were to deny Christ, and forced them to worship pagan idols.  Many stood firm in their faith, suffering torture and death, one of the first of which was Pope Fabian.

These early saints made such a tremendous impact upon the Church.  Their stories remind us of the faith and courage that Christians are capable of and called to.  The Opening prayer presents the martyrs as a model for us because of their “spirit of fortitude” which gave them strength to offer their lives in faithful witness. 

In all of the challenges of living in this modern age, with the example and prayers of the saints and martyrs, may we be given that same spirit of fortitude in our witness to Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls.  

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To God the Father almighty, dear brothers and sisters, may every prayer of our heart be directed, for his will it is that all humanity should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.

That during this season of Ordinary Time, Church leaders and all Christians may grow in the practice of the virtues and make use of their spiritual gifts in service to God. 

That as he begins his term of office today, our nation’s president will be assisted and protected by God’s grace and conduct his administration in righteousness. May he labor always for peace, justice, and the common good with respect to God’s laws and the dignity of every human person. 

For all those preparing for baptism and full initiation: that they may be open to the grace of conversion and the joy of the followers of Christ.  

For those who struggle because of addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind: that they may be healed and strengthened in Christ. And for the victims of the fires in California. 

For the repose of the souls of our departed loved ones…

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain.  Through Christ our Lord.

Homily: Jan 20 2017 - Sts. Sebastian & Fabian - Jesus the High Priest & His martyrs

One of the overarching themes of the letter to the Hebrews is the priesthood of Jesus Christ. In a Jewish context, “priest” meant something very specific: a descendant of Aaron who offered animal sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple in accord with the Mosaic law. So to call Jesus a priest is strange because Jesus fits none of those characteristics.

Yet, Hebrews shows how Jesus is indeed High Priest in a way that fulfills and infinitely surpasses the old priesthood of the Mosaic law. He is the priest who uniquely offers himself in sacrifice—he is both the offer-er and the offering, the priest and victim.

In today’s reading, Hebrews shows that this new priesthood was foretold in the Old Testament. And it does so by quoting the prophet Jeremiah, this quotation actually being the longest Old Testament quotation in the entire New Testament. This should tell us something about how important this concept is.

The reading began with explaining how Jesus the High Priest forms a new covenant. We speak of the “new and everlasting covenant” at every Mass. If a new covenant was needed, what was wrong with the first covenant? Hebrews clarifies that the problem was not in the covenant itself, but with the people who were unfaithful to it.

So the High Priest does for us, what we could not do for ourselves. We could not free ourselves from sin, we could not open the doors to heaven. Jesus the High Priest offers himself for us and for our salvation because we could not save ourselves.

Today, the Church honors two martyrs, Saint Sebastian the former soldier who called out the Emperor Diocletian for his persecution of the Church, and Pope Saint Fabian who suffered torture and death at the hands of Emperor Decius.

Two martyrs who offered themselves in union with Jesus the High Priest for the good of the Church. They suffered for the truth of the Gospel; they suffered that the Word of God would not be stifled, that the promise of salvation through Christ would be made known to the ends of the earth.

Today on this Inauguration Day, we certainly pray for the president-elect. Some of our citizens are overjoyed at his election, some are in deep despair. We recall today, that our salvation is not in an earthly prince, but in the High Priest. We recall that whoever takes the high office of earthly leader, does not change the job of each one of us, to witness faithfully to Christ, to offer our lives in service to Him. We render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s for the glory of God and salvation of souls.





Our petitions this morning are those composed for the inauguration of President George Washington by Archbishop John Carroll, First Roman Catholic bishop in our country whose brother Charles Carroll was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of the United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. We pray to the Lord.

Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they maybe enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

And we pray especially for all of our countrymen who have gone before us in faith, for all those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, for all the of the deceased members of our family and friends, and for N., for whom this Mass is offered.