Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of soldiers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death. Not much is known about Saint Sebastian as a child. He joined the Roman army in 238 A.D. It is thought he joined to help other Christians who were being persecuted by the Roman Army. Talk about brave! The punishment for Christians was death! While serving in the Roman Army, Saint Sebastian distinguished himself for his excellent service and he was promoted to serve in the praetorian guard to protect Emperor Diocletian. During Saint Sebastian‘s time in the praetorian guard, twin brothers named Marcus and Marcelina were imprisoned for refusing to worship the Roman gods. The brothers were deacons of the Christian church. Even their parents visited them in prison to convince them to pray to the Roman gods! However Saint Sebastian convinces both parents to convert to Christianity. Saint Sebastian also converted several other prominent individuals, including a local prefect. Unfortunately, Saint Sebastian was discovered and reported as a Christian to the Emperor. The Emperor Diocletian scolded Sebastian and ordered him to be killed! Saint Sebastian was tied to a steak on a training field and used as target practice. His body was riddled with arrows. The archers left his body for retrieval and burial. But death would not be today for Saint Sebastian! The kindness of Irene of Rome saved him! She nursed him back to health. Saint Sebastian, once well, went in search of the Emperor but not to seek revenge! He found the Emperor and publicly criticized him for persecution of the Christians. The Emperor was certainly surprised. This time the Emperor would not permit Saint Sebastian to escape with his life and he ordered his former guard to be put to death. His body was recovered by a Christian woman and she secretly buried him in the catacombs beneath Rome.
According to historical records, Saint Sebastian, through the power of prayer by the Roman Christians, defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680 AD! To this day, Saint Sebastian continues to intercede on our behalf especially for athletes, soldiers, and those who want a saintly death.
Nearly 80 years after his death, Saint Sebastian‘s remains were removed to to a Basilica in Rome built by Pope Damascus I. Relics from his body were reportedly removed and shared with a community of monks in France. His cranium was sent to a German monastery where it was placed in a special silver case in 934 A.D. The relic remains in its case today in a special reliquary in Ebersberg, Germany. Saint Sebastian‘s feast day is January 20th.
Prayer to Saint Sebastian:
Dear Commander at the Roman Emperor’s court, you chose to be a soldier of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King’s of King’s for which you were condemned to die. Your body, however proved athletically strong and the executing arrows were extremely weak, so another means to kill you was chosen and you gave your life to the Lord. May athletes be as strong in their faith as you so clearly has been. Amen.
According to historical records, Saint Sebastian, through the power of prayer by the Roman Christians, defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680 AD! To this day, Saint Sebastian continues to intercede on our behalf especially for athletes, soldiers, and those who want a saintly death.
Nearly 80 years after his death, Saint Sebastian‘s remains were removed to to a Basilica in Rome built by Pope Damascus I. Relics from his body were reportedly removed and shared with a community of monks in France. His cranium was sent to a German monastery where it was placed in a special silver case in 934 A.D. The relic remains in its case today in a special reliquary in Ebersberg, Germany. Saint Sebastian‘s feast day is January 20th.
Prayer to Saint Sebastian:
Dear Commander at the Roman Emperor’s court, you chose to be a soldier of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King’s of King’s for which you were condemned to die. Your body, however proved athletically strong and the executing arrows were extremely weak, so another means to kill you was chosen and you gave your life to the Lord. May athletes be as strong in their faith as you so clearly has been. Amen.