Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

His life:

+ Mark Roy was born in the town of Sigmaringen, Germany, in 1578.

+ After earning doctorates in philosophy, civil and canon law, he was ordained a priest and entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins, taking “Fidelis” as his religious name. He quickly gained a reputation of holiness for his penance, vigils and prayer.

+ Dedicated to preaching, he was commissioned by the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to preach to the people of the canton of the Grisons, who had recently converted to Protestantism.

+ On April 24, 1622, Fidelis was preaching a sermon on the text, “There is One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism,” when an attempt was made on his life. Refusing to flee the church or seek refuge, he was later attacked by 20 armed men who beat him to death.

+ Saint Fidelis was canonized in 1746 and his feast was extended to the Universal Church in 1771. He is honored as one of the patrons of lawyers.

For prayer and reflection:

“They praised in unison your conquering hand, O Lord,
for wisdom opened mouths that were mute
and gave eloquence to the tongues of infants, alleluia.”—Entrance Antiphon for Thursday in the Octave of Easter

Prayer

O God, who have united the many nations
in confessing your name,
grant that those reborn in the font of Baptism
may be one in the faith of their hearts
and the homage of their deeds.
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: Collect for the Thursday in the Octave of Easter)

Saint profiles prepared by Father Silas Henderson, S.D.S.