April 24
Saints of the Day

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, 1577-1622, the poor man's lawyer; Mark Rey

A German lawyer and philosophy teacher who became a Franciscan. Complete generosity to others characterized this saint's life. If a poor man needed some clothing, Fidelis would often give the man the clothes right off his back.

    He led a group of Capuchins to preach to Calvinists and Zwinglians in Switzerland. The success of this work, and lack of violence suffered by mission was attributed to Fidelis spending his nights in prayer. He was, however, eventually martyred for his preaching.

Born 1577 at Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, Germany as Mark Rey

Died murdered 24 April 1622 at Grusch, Grisons, Switzerland

Beatified 24 March 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII    Canonized 29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV

Translate español | français | deutsch | italiano | português
Additional Information:
            http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf16.htm
            http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1363

Readings

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