Memorial of Saints (September 16)

Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints for September 16

Cornelius (died 253 A.D.): in exile in Civitavecchia; opposed Novatian and rigorist in the lapsi controversy; buried in the cemetery of Callixtus.

Cyprian decapitated 14 September 258 A.D. under Valerian; ally of Cornelius; bishop of Carthage; wrote On the Unity of the Catholic Church; the rebaptism of heretics and schismatics; first African bishop to be martyred; patron of North Africa and Algeria; both mentioned in the Roman Canon.

also on September 16:

• Euphemia, Lucy and Gemimianus, martyrs;
• Abundius, Abundantius, and Companions, martyrs;
• Ninian, bishop;
• Ludmila, martyr;
• Edith of Wilton, virgin;
• John Macias, religious

24th Sunday of the Year (B)

Reflections for the 24th Sunday of the Year (B)

Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 116
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35

For posting and publishing soon.

To understand the gospel passage from the gospel of Mark, theologians have studied a construct and characteristic called "The Messianic Secret in the Gospel of Mark". Learn more.

Memorial of Saints (September 14)

Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints for September 14

• Triumph of the Holy Cross (celebrated as a Feast);
• Maternus, bishop;
• Notburga, virgin

The Feast of the Triumph of the Cross is also known as the Exaltation of the Cross in the Eastern Church. This feast celebrates the finding of the True Cross of Christ under a Roman landfill by the emperor Constantine's mother, Helen (August 18) in ca. 320 A.D. The finding of the Cross inspired the dedication of a basilica built by Constantine. Constantine's shrine included two principal buildings: the large basilica used for the Liturgy of the Word, and a circular church used for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

St. Maternus (d. ca. 325 A.D.) was the first known bishop of Cologne, Germany. Maternus was one of the three bishops from Gaul sent by Emperor Constantine to hear the charges against Bishop Caecilian by the Donatist bishops of Africa. Maternus and his companions exonerated Caecilian. When the Donatists refused to accept the exoneration, Constantine referred the matter to the council at Arles in 314 A.D. Maternus may also have been bishop of Trier at one time and died there.