Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, & Cyprian, Bishop, Marytrs (died 253 & 258), twenty-first Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the emperor Trebonianus Gallus & Bishop of Carthage, martyred in the reign of the emperor Valerian: Martyr-link Charlie Oscar ūnus, Martyr-link Charlie Oscar duo, & Wikipedia-link Charlie Oscar; Martyr-link Charlie Yankee & Wikipedia-link Charlie Yankee.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '14 & Wayback Machine '15. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Cornelius & Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, did not believe in the need for re-baptism for Catholics who stopped practicing their religion. Instead, they thought that sinners should only need to show contrition & true repentance to be welcomed back into the Church.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Cornelius—The greatest problem of Cornelius's two-year term as pope had to do witht he Sacrament of penance & centered on the readmission of Christians who had denied their faith during the time of persecution. Two extremes were finally both condemned. Cyprian, primate of North Africa, appealed to the pope to confirm his stand that the relapsed could be reconciled only by the decision of the bishop.

St. Cyprian—Highly educated, a famous orator, he became a Christian as an adult. He distributed his goods to the poor & amazed his fellow citizens by making a vow of chastity before his baptism. Within two years he had been ordained a priest & was chosen, against his will, as Bishop of Carthage (near modern Tunis). Cyprian complained that the peace the Church had enjoyed had weakened the spirit of many Christians & had opened the door to converts who did not have the true spirit of faith. When the Decian persecution began, many Christians easily abandoned the Church. It was their reinstatement that cause the great controversies of the third century & helped the Church progress in its understanding of the sacrament of Penance.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Ninian, Bishop (circa 360-432): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter fifteen, verses twelve thru twenty;
Psalm Seventeen, verses one(b, c, d), six thru eight(b), & fifteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eight, verses one thru three;

or, for Ss. Cornelius & Cyprian:
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses seven thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses eleven(b) thru nineteen.