#woe to me if I should prove myself a halfhearted soldier

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN The Patron of Lawyers and the Protomartyr of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide Feast Day: April 24

"It is because of faith, that we exchange the present for the future."

Fidelis was born Mark Roy or Rey, in 1577, in the town of Sigmaringen, a town in modern-day Germany, then under the Principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. His father's name was John Rey.

After gaining a Doctorate in Law at the University of Freiburg, he began embracing the cause of the oppressed, earning for himself the nickname of 'Poor Man's Lawyer', because upon his return, he practiced law as a counselor or advocate, at Colmar in Alsace, France.

In 1612, he left a promising career to enter the Capuchin order along with his brother George, where he was ordained a priest. Upon entering the order, the Custos (guardian) gave him the religious name of Fidelis, the Latin word for 'faithful', alluding to that text from the Book of Revelation which promises a crown of life to him who shall continue faithful to the end.

He led a life of penance and prayer, and was continuously engaged in preaching and hearing confessions.

He often exclaimed: 'Woe to me if I should prove myself, but a halfhearted soldier, in the service of my thorn-crowned Captain!'

At the request of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide (Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples), he undertook a mission among the Zwinglians in the canton of the Grisons in Switzerland, and to preach in the Graubünden region of eastern Switzerland. Eight other Capuchin friars were to be his assistants, and they labored in this mission under his direction.

He spent much time at the foot of the altar, being convinced that prayer could achieve more than sermons. The conversion of many Protestants enraged his opponents - the Calvinists, who plotted to assassinate him.

On April 24, 1622, as he was preaching at Grüsch, he said: 'O Catholic faith, how solid, how strong you are! How deeply rooted on a solid rock! Heaven and earth will pass away, but you can never pass away.'

From Grüsch, he went to Seewis im Prättigau, where he was met by a band of heretics who killed him. Before receiving the death-stroke, he prayed for his persecutors.

The conversion of the Protestant minister, who witnessed the assassination, was the first fruit of his martyrdom. After six months, the martyr's body was found to be incorrupt, but his head and left arm were separated from his body.

The body parts were then placed into two reliquaries, one sent to the Cathedral of Coire, at the behest of the bishop, and laid under the High Altar; the other was placed in the Capuchin church at Weltkirchen, Feldkirch, Austria.

[foreverpraying]

April 24 is the feast day of St. George, martyr and St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest and martyr

 St. George

Source of picture: www.speel.me.uk

It is uncertain when Saint George was born and historians continue to debate to this day. However, his death date is estimated to be April 23 303 A.D.

George was born to a Gerontios and Polychronia, a Roman officer and a Greek native of Lydda. Both were Christians from noble families of the Anici and George, Georgios in the original Greek, was raised to follow their faith.

When George was old enough, he was welcomed into Diocletian's army. By his late 20's, George became a Tribunus and served as an imperial guard for the Emperor at Nicomedia.

On February 24, 303 A.D., Diocletian, who hated Christians, announced that every Christian would be arrested and every other soldier should offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods.

George refused to abide by the order and told Diocletian, who was angry but greatly valued his friendship with George's father.

When George announced his beliefs before his peers, Diocletian was unable to keep the news to himself.

In an effort to save George, Diocletian attempted to convert him to believe in the Roman gods, offered him land, money and slaves in exchange for offering a sacrifice to the Roman gods, and made several other offers that George refused.

Finally, after exhausting all other options, Diocletian ordered George's execution. In preparation for his death, George gave his money to the poor and was sent for several torture sessions. He was lacerated on a wheel of swords and required resuscitation three times, but still George did not turn from God.

On April 23, 303 A.D., George was decapitated before Nicomedia's outer wall. His body was sent to Lydda for burial, and other Christians went to honor George as a martyr.

 Saint George and the Dragon

Source of picture: https://fineartamerica.com

There are several stories about George fighting dragons, but in the Western version, a dragon or crocodile made its nest at a spring that provided water to Silene, believed to be modern-day Lcyrene in Libya.

The people were unable to collect water and so attempted to remove the dragon from its nest on several ocassions. It would temporarily leave its nest when they offered it a sheep each day, until the sheep disappeared and the people were distraught.

This was when they decided that a maiden would be just as effective as sending a sheep. The townspeople chose the victim by drawing straws. This continued until one day the princess' straw was drawn.

The monarch begged for her to be spared but the people would not have it. She was offered to the dragon, but before she could be devoured, George appeared. He faced the dragon, protected himself with the sign of the Cross, and slayed the dragon.

After saving the town, the citizens abandoned their paganism and were all converted to Christianity.

 Prayer for St. George

Source of picture: www.speel.me.uk

St. George,

Heroic Catholic soldier and defender of your Faith, you dared to criticize a tyrannical Emperor and were subjected to horrible torture. You could have occupied a high military position but you preferred to die for your Lord.

Obtain for us the great grace of heroic Christian courage that should mark soldiers of Christ. Amen.

Source: www.catholic.org

 Life of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Source of picture: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com

He was born Mark Roy or Rey in 1577, in Sigmaringen, a town in modern-day Germany, then under the Principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. His father's name was John Rey. He studied law and philosophy at the University of Freiburg.

Roy subsequently taught philosophy at this university, ultimately earning the degree of Doctor of Law. During his time as a student he did not drink wine, and wore a hair-shirt. He was known for his modesty, meekness and chastity.

In 1604, Roy accompanied, as preceptor (teacher-mentor), three young Swabian gentlemen on their travels through the principal parts of Europe. During six years of travel, he attended Mass very frequently. In every town they came to, he visited the hospitals and churches, passed several hours on his knees in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and was generous to the poor, sometimes giving them the very clothes off his back.

Upon his return, he practiced law as a counselor or advocate, at Colmar, in Alsace, France where he came to be known as the 'poor man's lawyer'. He scrupulously forbore all invectives, detractions, and whatever might affect the reputation of any adversary. Disenchanted with the evils associated with his profession, he was determined to join his brother George as a member of the Capuchin friars.

Upon entering the Capuchin order, the guardian gave him the religious name of Fidelis, the Latin word for "faithful," alluding to that text from the Book of Revelation which promises a crown of life to him who shall continue faithful to the end. He finished his novitiate and studies for the priesthood, presiding over his first Mass at the Capuchin friary in Fribourg (in present-day Switzerland), on October 4, 1612 (the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the order).

During a severe epidemic in a city, Fidelis cared for and cured many sick soldiers. Many residents of the town and neighboring places were reformed by his zealous labors, and several Calvinists were converted. The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith commissioned Fidelis to preach in the Graubünden region of eastern Switzerland. Eight other Capuchin friars were to be his assistants, and they labored in this mission under his direction.

The Calvinists of that territory, being incensed at his success in converting their brethren, loudly threatened Fidelis' life, and he prepared himself for martyrdom.

On April 24, 1622, Fidelis made his confession, celebrated Mass and then preached at Grüsch. At the end of his sermon, which he had delivered with more than ordinary zeal, he stood silent all of a sudden, with his eyes fixed upon Heaven, in ecstasy. He foretold his death to several persons in the clearest terms, and began signing his letters, "P. Fidelis, prope diem esca vermium" ("Father Fidelis, in days ahead to become food for worms"). After the service at Grüsch he and several companions traveled to Seewis. His companions noted that he was particularly cheerful.

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen with St. Joseph of Leonessa (Tiepolo, 1752-1758)

Giambattista Tiepolo: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen & St. Joseph of Leonessa

On April 24, in a campaign organized by the Habsburgs, Fidelis was preaching under protection of some Austrian imperial soldiers in the Church at Seewis with the aim to reconvert the people of Seewis to Catholicism. During the sermon, his listeners were called "to arms" by the Calvinist agitators outside. Some of the people went to face the Austrian troops outside the church. Fidelis had been persuaded by the remaining Catholics to immediately flee with the Austrian troops out of Seewis, which he did, but then returned alone to Grüsch. On his way back he was confronted by 20 Calvinist soldiers who demanded unsuccessfully that he renounce the Catholic faith, and when he refused, they subsequently murdered him.

It is said that a Catholic woman lay concealed near the place of Fidelis' martyrdom as the saint was slain. After the soldiers had left, she came out to assess the incident and found the martyr's eyes open, fixed on the heavens. He was buried by Catholics the next day.

After six months, the martyr's body was found to be incorrupt, but his head and left arm were separated from his body. The body parts were then placed into two reliquaries, one sent to the Cathedral of Coire, at the behest of the bishop, and laid under the High Altar; the other was placed in the Capuchin church at Weltkirchen, Feldkirch, Austria.

Source: www.catholic.org

Prayer to St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Father, you filled Saint Fidelis with the fire of your love and gave him the privilege of dying that the faith might live. Let his prayers keep us firmly grounded in your love, and help us to come to know the power of Christ’s resurrection. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: https://prayers4reparation.wordpress.com

[traumacatholic]

“Woe to me if I should prove myself but a halfhearted soldier in the service of my thorn-crowned Captain.” St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen