F E AT U R E
SAINTS OF THE ROMAN CANON
PART II
Sixtus
Cornelius
Cyprian
THE SAINTS NAMED IN THE FIRST EUCHARISTIC PRAYER OF THE MASS WERE THE EARLY HEROES OF THE FAITH
the few popes in history whose papacy lasted less than a year. In that short time, he addressed thorny issues within the church, in particular the question of re-baptism. His predecessor, Stephen, believed that baptism was a once-in-a-lifetime event and he refused to re-baptise heretics, but Sixtus tolerated this practice which was enough to mend a rift between the church in Carthage and Rome. The emperor Valerian had outlawed Christian gatherings in cemeteries, and this is where Sixtus was captured. One day, Roman soldiers broke into the chapel in the cemetery of Callistus and found Sixtus and his companions there. They beheaded Sixtus while still seated, along with a number of his deacons and attendants. Four days later, just as Sixtus had prophesied, the eminent deacon Lawrence was also beheaded. The church was so afraid of the severity of Christian persecution that they waited two years before electing his successor. Pope Damasus had an inscription placed on his tomb:
CORNELIUS Cornelius was an Italian, born around 180 AD. He was one of the first popes to keep the name given to him at birth. He was elected in 251 amidst a period of terrible Christian persecution. Cornelius was a quiet, unassuming man who didn’t want to be pope and he had to be persuaded. He was good friends with Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, from whom he found great support. He had to deal with a schism brought about as a result of the Christian persecution. Novatian was a Roman priest who declared himself pope. He and his followers believed that those who denied their faith in the face of torture and threat of death could not be readmitted to the church. This was a big issue for the early church and Novatian wasn’t alone in his beliefs. But Cornelius welcomed those who had lapsed back to the church, provided they repented and undertook penance. He called an official synod, which agreed and excommunicated Novatian. After only two years as pope, Cornelius was arrested by the emperor Gallus and sent into exile outside Rome, but he carried on working and wrote letters on church matters including exorcism. He died because of the hardships of exile and so is considered a martyr. Cyprian wrote of his death: “Our colleague Cornelius was a peaceable and just priest and deemed worthy of a martyr’s death by Our Lord.” He was brought back to Rome and buried in the cemetery of Callistus.
BY MARIA HALL
T
his is our final look at the saints mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer. Their names are so familiar that I’m sure most of us could recite the complete list! They have been part of this ancient prayer since its completion in the 6th century by Pope Gregory the Great. The early Christians viewed these saints as heroes; they were the personalities of their day. With the passage of time, the details of their lives have become obscure and much that remains is tradition; but that does not diminish the fervour of their faith, and of the Christian community at the time, nor the bravery they demonstrated in facing a torturous death. Recalling their lives gives us the opportunity to experience the Roman Canon in a new light. SIXTUS It is generally agreed that the pope referred to is Pope Sixtus II. He was born in Greece, a philosopher, who was elected pope in 257 AD. He suffered martyrdom under the persecution of the emperor Valerian in 258. He is one of
28 REALITY JULY/AUGUST 2022
At the time when the sword pierced the bowels of the Mother… soldiers rushed in and dragged me from the chair. The Faithful offered their necks to the sword, but as soon as the Pastor saw the ones who wished to rob him of the palm of martyrdom, he was the first to offer himself and his own head…
