From a letter of St Cyprian to St Cornelius: ‘God’s merciful design has warned us that the day of our own struggle, our own contest, is at hand. By that shared love which binds us close together, we are doing all we can to exhort our congregation, to give ourselves unceasingly to fastings, vigils and prayers in common. These are the heavenly weapons which give us the strength to stand firm and endure; they are the spiritual defences, the God-given armaments that protect us’.

Pope Cornelius died in exile from the hardships of his banishment, and Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage in North Africa, was killed during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian for refusing to worship idols. Both are venerated as martyrs.

In our own day, may we retain the integrity of our own faith, standing firm when it is challenged; and may God bless you this day.