Saint Cornelius was elected Pope in 251 during the persecutions of the emperor Decius. His first challenge, besides the ever-present threat of the Roman authorities, was to bring an end to the schism brought on by his rival, the first anti-pope Novatian. Pope Cornelius convened a synod of bishops to confirm him as the rightful successor of Peter.

The great controversy that arose as a result of the Decian persecution was whether or not the Church could pardon and receive back into the Church those who had apostatized in the face of martyrdom.

Against both the bishops who argued that the Church could not welcome back apostates, and those who argued that they should be welcomed back but did not demand a heavy penance of the penitent, Pope Cornelius decreed that they must be welcomed back and insisted that they perform an adequate penance.

In 253 Pope Cornelius was exiled by the emperor Gallus and died of the hardships he endured in exile. He is venerated as a martyr.

Saint Cyprian of Carthage is second in importance, only to the great Saint Augustine, as a figure and Father of the African church. He was a close friend of Pope Cornelius and supported him both against the anti-pope Novatian and in his views concerning the re-admittance of apostates into the Church.

Cyprian was born to wealthy pagans around the year 190 and was educated in the classics and in rhetoric. He converted at the age of 56, was ordained a priest a year later, and made bishop two years after that. After his baptism, he gave away a portion of his wealth to the poor of Carthage, as befitted a man of his status.

His writings are of great importance, especially his treatise on The Unity of the Catholic Church, in which he argues that unity is grounded in the authority of the bishop, and among the bishops, in the primacy of the See of Rome.

During the Decian persecutions Cyprian considered it wiser to go into hiding and guide his flock covertly rather than seek the glorious crown of martyrdom, a decision that his enemies attacked him for.

In late 256, a new persecution of the Christians broke out under Emperor Valerian, and Pope Sixtus II was executed in Rome. Meanwhile in Africa, Cyprian prepared his people for the expected edict of persecution. He refused to sacrifice to the pagan deities and firmly professed Christ. Hence, he was banished to Curubis. After a year, he was recalled and kept practically a prisoner in his own villa.

Cyprian was martyred on September 14, 258.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
2. Saint Edith of Wilton
3. Saint Juan Massias
4. Saint Marcian the Senator
5. Saint Victor III, Pope

- CN