Heaven Awaits: St. Cyprian’s Reflection for All Saints
A Consoling Reflection Amidst Plague
Although the feast of All Saints on November 1st became a universal custom of the Roman Rite in the mid-9th century, it wasn’t until the later 15th century that it became common to celebrate it with an octave. When St. Pius V promulgated a Breviary in 1568, new selections of Matins readings were introduced for the feast and octave.
The feast of All Saints concludes on November 8th with a beautiful passage from the end of St. Cyprian of Carthage’s treatise On Mortality. Cyprian wrote this as part of his pastoral response to the devastating plague that afflicted the Roman Empire from 249 to 262 AD. He consoled his suffering flock by reminding them of the reunion with God, the Saints, and loved ones that awaits in the next life.
Cyprian's Vision of Heaven
“Considerandum est, fratres dilectissimi, et identidem cogitandum, renuntiasse nos mundo, et tamquam hospites et peregrinos hic interim degere.”
“We must consider, most beloved brethren, and continually reflect upon the fact that we have renounced the world, and in the meanwhile live here as guests and pilgrims.”
Cyprian offers profound spiritual wisdom, urging Christians to embrace the day when they will be assigned to their true home in paradise. He speaks of deliverance from the snares of the world and reunification with the patriarchs and saints, already assured of their immortality.
“Quis non peregre constitutus properaret in patriam regredi? Quis non ad suos navigare festinans, ventum prosperum cupidius optaret, ut velociter caros liceret amplecti?”
“What man that has been placed in foreign lands would not hasten to return to his own country? What man that is hastening to sail back to his friends desireth not the more eagerly a prosperous wind, that he might the sooner be able to embrace those dear to him?”
The Joys of Reunion in Heaven
“Patriam nostram paradisum computamus, parentes Patriarchas habere jam cœpimus.”
“We regard paradise as our country, already we begin to deem the patriarchs as our parents.”
St. Cyprian’s text describes the anticipation of reunion with loved ones in paradise—family members, parents, brothers, and children, longing for the embrace of those still on earth. He expresses the immense joy that awaits the faithful in heaven—a joy free from the fear of death, and filled with eternal life.
“Magnus illic nos carorum numerus exspectat, parentum, fratrum, filiorum frequens nos et copiosa turba desiderat, jam de sua immortalitate secura, et adhuc de nostra salute sollicita.”
“There, a great number of our dear ones awaits us, and a dense crowd of parents, brothers, children, longs for us, already assured of their own immortality, and still solicitous for our salvation.”
Eternal Happiness in the Heavenly Kingdom
St. Cyprian ends his treatise with a hopeful and beautiful vision of the eternal joys awaiting Christians in the heavenly kingdom, a place of perpetual happiness, the company of the Saints, and victory over death.
“Qualis illic cælestium regnorum voluptas sine timore moriendi, et cum æternitate vivendi! Quam summa et perpetua felicitas!”
“What delight there is in the heavenly kingdom, without fear of death, and with eternity of living! How lofty and perpetual the happiness!”
