Saint of the Day: St. Sebastian

Martyr (ca. 284)

His life

+ According to ancient traditions, Sebastian was born and educated in Milan.

+ Sebastian is said to have entered the Roman army around the year 283 so that he could offer assistance to those Christians being persecuted for their faith in Jesus.

+ Although he had concealed his own Christian faith, he was eventually found out and denounced before the emperor. Condemned to be shot to death with arrows, Sebastian survived the ordeal and was nursed back to health by a local Christian woman.

+ Sebastian presented himself to the emperor and was subsequently martyred around the year 284. His body was enshrined in the catacombs and he is honored as the patron saint of athletes, soldiers, and physicians.

For prayer and reflection

Even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.—1 Peter 3:14-16

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church also remembers Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross (priests and brothers), the Sisters of Holy Cross (the Marianites), and the Brothers of Holy Cross. Blessed Basil died in 1873 and was beatified in 2007.

Prayer

Grant us, we pray, O Lord, a spirit of fortitude,
so that, taught by the glorious example
of your Martyr Saint Sebastian,
we may learn to obey you rather than men.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.