to make progress in wisdom. |
"Far be it from us to dare set bounds to the boundless mercy of God; far be it from us to desire to search into the depths of the hidden counsels and judgement of God, an abyss that the mind of man cannot explore. . . . We must hold as of faith, that out of the Apostolic Roman Catholic Church there is no salvation; that she is the only ark of safety, and whosoever is not in her perishes in the deluge; we must also, on the other hand, recognize with certainty that those who are in invincible ignorance of the true religion are not guilty for this in the eye of the Lord." (Pope Pius IX, December 9, 1854) Love is felt in everyman. The detestable superstitions of Cyprian's pagan parents devoted him from infancy to the Devil. He was schooled in witchcraft, astrology and all the black arts. Cyprian did not hesitate to indulge in the extravagances of these blasphemies and lusted for the things of idolatrors. There lived at Antioch a young Christian lady called Justina, of high birth and great beauty. The pagan nobleman Cyprian fell deeply in love with her, and finding her modesty inaccessible, and her resolution invincible, he applied his knowledge of witchcraft. He tried every secret he was aquanted with to conquer her chasity. Justina, precieving herself vigorously attacked, studied to arm herself by prayer, watchfulness and fasting against the powers of his spells. Cyprian finding himself worsted by a superior power, began to consider the weakness of the infernal spirits and resolve to quit their service and become a Christian. Justina, apon hearing Cyprian's conversion took him for a worthy suitor. There was a persecution of Diocletian breaking out, Cyprian and Justina were seized. She was treated wickedly by the jailors and Cyprian was hung from iron hooks. After this they were both sent in chains before Diocletian, who commanded their heads be struck off.+ Reflections: If the errors and disorders of Saint Cyprian show the degeneracy of human nature corrupted by sin and enslaved by vice, his conversion displays the power of grace and virtue to repair it. ~~~ <^> |