St.Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577 - 1622)

About Me

Born of wealthy parents, Fidelis was conspicuous from his early childhood for his remarkable talents. He was always to use these talents to the greater good and the expounding of truth even when it was to cost his life.After receiving doctor's laurels in philosophy and law at the University of Freeburgh, Fidelis travelled for six years through Europe with three companions. For some time he followed his profession as a lawyer. His clients admired his wisdom and justice. Gradually he began to rebel against the corruption in the practice of law and when he was offered a bribe to prolong a case he decided to enter religious life. Having noticed the Capuchins at work for some time, Fidelis studied the Order's Constitutions, and was so impressed that he asked admittance to the Order. Fidelis was first to be ordained a priest to prove his sincerity and after the ordination was admitted as a Novice. As a Novice Fidelis had many trials, but he maintained a humbled spirit; his courage would help him throughout his life.He determined to preach to the Protestants the true faith as soon as possible. After solemn profession Fidelis was allowed to preach to both Catholic and Protestants, something which was unusual in those troubled days, and dangerous as well! His preparation was study, writing, prayer and penance. With fiery words Fidelis preached against the Protestants. And to the anger of the Protestants, a great many were converted and lapsed Catholics were returned to the faith.Fidelis became Guardian and was a source of great edification to all the Friars. The spirit of contemplation ruled the house. He and his brothers nursed the soldiers and cared for them spiritually thus angering a number of Protestant leaders in the army at that time.To a companion he confided that he had two wishes; one was the grace never to commit a mortal sin, the other was to die for the Faith. God granted his prayers. Pope Gregory XV sent him to Thetia where the Saint preached for three years and converted a great number. The Calvinist preachers stirred up the people and on April 24th 1624, Fidelis mounted the pulpit for the last time, as he started to preach "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" there was an uproar and he was dragged away and killed with a sword and club. His feast is celebrated on April 24th.
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My Interests

Trampling on the word heresy; with a club set with spikes; with a whirlbat; with an angel carrying a palm of martyrdom; with Saint Joseph of Leonissa

I'd like to meet:

Faithful in name and in truthPope Benedict XIV praised Fidelis as a confessor of the Catholic faith in these words: "He practiced the fullness of charity in bringing consolation and relief to his neighbors as well as strangers. With a father's love he embraced all those who were in trouble. He supported great numbers of poor people with the alms he had collected from every quarter. "With wealth collected from the powerful and from princes, he comforted widows and orphans in their loneliness. he was always helping prisoners in their spiritual and bodily needs. He showed constant zeal in visiting and comforting the sick whom he would win back to God and prepare for their last struggle. "The most outstanding example of this meritorious was of life occurred when the Austrian army, stationed in the area of Raetia, was almost totally destroyed by an epidemic. To show compassion he used to bring food for the weak and the dying." In addition to this charity, he was faithful in truth as well as in name. his zeal for defending the Catholic faith was unsurpassed and he preached it tirelessly. A few days before he shed his blood to bear witness to his preaching, he gave his last sermon. These are the words he left as a testament; "O Catholic faith, how solid, how strong you are! How deeply rooted, how firmly founded on a solid rock! Heaven and earth will pass away, but you can never pass away. From the beginning the world opposed you, but you mightily triumphed over everything. This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. It has subjected powerful kings to the rule of Christ; it has bound nations to his service. "What made the holy apostles and martyrs endure fierce agony and bitter torments, except faith, and especially faith in the resurrection? "What is it that today makes true followers of Christ cast luxuries aside, leave pleasures behind, and endure difficulties and pain? It is living faith that expresses itself through love. It is this that makes us put aside the goods of the present in the hope of future goods. It is because of faith that we exchange the present for the future."CAPUCHINS OF MID-AMERICA (link)

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Born 1577 at Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, Germany as Mark ReyDied murdered 24 April 1622 at Grusch, Grisons, Switzerland

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Beatified 24 March 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII

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Canonized 29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV

Heroes:

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

My Blog

Prayer of St. Fidelis

Father,You filled St. Fidelis with the fire of Your loveand gave him the privilege of dyingthat the faith might live.Let his prayers keep us firmly grounded in Your love,and help us to come to know th...
Posted by St.Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577 - 1622) on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 12:03:00 PST

We Capuchins trace our heritage back 800 years

We Capuchins trace our heritage back 800 years to the little poor man of Assisi, whom history knows as perhaps the most clear imitator of Christ.St. Francis of Assisi followed Jesus' footsteps so clos...
Posted by St.Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577 - 1622) on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 10:37:00 PST