Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (7: 36-50) which tells of the woman who bathed the feet of Jesus and anointed them with oil while he was dining at the house of a Pharisee. Today we also remember and celebrate the lives Cornelius and Cyprian, Popes and Saints.

Pope Cornelius was made a bishop in Rome sometime in 251.  He was sent into exile by the Emperor Gallus. He died in the year 253 and is buried in Rome.

Cyprian was born on 210 in Carthage and he spent most of his life practising law. He was converted to Christianity and was made bishop in Carthage in 249. Cyprian, too, had to go into hiding during various persecutions in order to keep looking after the Church. Cyprian was eventually exiled, like Cornelius, and was executed in the year 258.

Fr Paul asks, as we do in the tradition of our Church, today that we pray Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, pray for us.