St. Fidelis Medal

St. Fidelis Biography

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, also known as Fidelis of Como and Fidelis of Sigmarigen, was a Capuchin friar, missionary, and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born Mark Rey in the town of Sigmaringen in the Holy Roman Empire, in the present-day state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in 1578. He studied law at the University of Freiburg, and later became a lawyer. However, he felt called to a religious life, and in 1612, at the age of 34, he joined the Capuchin Order. He took the name Fidelis, which means “”faithful.””

As a Capuchin friar, Fidelis devoted himself to the study of theology and the practice of asceticism. He also had a strong desire to be a missionary, and in 1622, he was sent to the Grisons, a canton in eastern Switzerland. He preached the gospel in various towns and villages, and was known for his powerful and effective sermons. He converted many people to Catholicism, and his efforts helped to counter the spread of Protestantism in the region.

Fidelis’s missionary work was not without its challenges, however. He faced fierce opposition from the local Calvinist authorities, who saw him as a threat to their religious and political power. They arrested him several times, and he was even tortured, but he refused to renounce his faith or his mission. Finally, in April 1622, he was martyred while preaching in the town of Seewis.

Despite his relatively short life, Fidelis’s legacy has been significant. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1729, and he is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. His feast day is April 24th. He is remembered as a brave and faithful missionary who laid down his life for the sake of the gospel.

Fidelis is also considered one of the patron saints of the Grisons, and his cult is particularly strong in this canton. His tomb is located in the Capuchin Church of St. Fidelis in Sigmaringen, Germany where many people visit every year to venerate him.

Fidelis is also honored as a patron saint of lawyers, because of his profession before joining the Capuchin Order. Also remembered for his commitment to education, Fidelis himself was well-educated, and he had a deep respect for learning and knowledge.

In addition to his work as a missionary, Fidelis is also remembered for his writings. During his lifetime, he wrote several treatises on theology and spiritual matters, as well as a number of sermons. Many of his writings have been published and are still available today, and they continue to be read and studied by Catholics around the world.

Fidelis’s martyrdom has been commemorated in various art forms, particularly in the Baroque art. He is often depicted holding a cross and a sword, symbols of his faith and the manner of his death.

The Life of St. Fidelis

St. Fidelis was born in Sigmaringen, Germany in 1577. He was educated at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and led an austere, prayerful life. In 1612 St. Fidelis was ordained Priest, and said his first Mass in the Capuchin monastery at Fribourg. He was given the name of Fidelis, or Faithful, as his religious name.

Addressing Heresies

The newly founded Congregation de Propaganda Fide commissioned Father Fidelis to go to Switzerland and preach against the heretical teachings of Calvin. Incensed at the wonderful effects of his zealous efforts, the Calvinists aroused the peasants against him by claiming that he was a political agent of the Emperor of Austria.

On April 24, 1622, Father Fidelis made confession, said Mass, and after preaching with more than ordinary zeal, it is claimed he suddenly stood silent with his eyes fixed on Heaven, in an ecstasy, for some time. He foretold his death to several persons. A Calvinist once at tempted to shoot him while he was preaching but Fr. Fidelis was unharmed.

The Martyrdom of St. Fidelis

While traveling, Saint Fidelis was ambushed by twenty Calvinist soldiers, led by a Calvinst minister. They called him a false prophet and urged him to embrace Calvinism. But he answered: “I am sent to you to confute, not to embrace your heresy. The Catholic religion is the Faith of all ages. I fear not death”. Hearing this, they stabbed Father Fidelis to death. Many miracles were per- formed through the Martyrs intercession.

He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746. St. Fidelis, as we wear this patron saint pendent in your name stir in our hearts the zeal and love for the Lord that you had in life.

Popular St. Fidelis Items

A St. Fidelis medal or a St. Fidelis rosary is a perfect gift to honor your patron saint. Wearing a St. Fidelis medal daily is a perpetual prayer for Saint Fidelis to intercede on behalf of the wearer. As saints are united closer to God, their prayers are more efficacious, and enriches your own prayer.

Additionally, a Saint Fidelis pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint as you go about your daily life. What a beautiful testament of faith to share with the world, or to keep discretely tucked under your clothes. During the challenging moments of your day, reflect upon the holy life of St. Fidelis and pray for their intercession and protection.

Our hand pressed St. Fidelis medal pedant features the image of Saint Fidelis with a cross and flowers in his arms surrounded by the words “Saint Fidelis Pray for Us”

Prayers to St. Fidelis

God, who has vouch to glorify blessed Fidelis, inflamed with seraphic ardor of spirit, with the palm of martyrdom and the fame of miracles in the propagation of the true faith: by his merits and intercession, we beseech Thee so to strengthen us by Thy grace in faith and charity, that we may deserve to be found faithful in Thy service unto death. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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Prayer for the Intercession of St. Fidelis as you put on a St. Fidelis Medal and Necklace

O God, who were pleased to award
the palm of martyrdom to Saint Fidelis
as, burning with love for you, he propagated the faith,
grant, we pray, through his intercession,
that, grounded in charity,
we may merit to know with him
the power of the Resurrection of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Prayer to St. Fidelis

Dear St. Fidelis,
You were a faithful servant of the Lord and a strong defender of the faith.
Inspire us to follow your example and to be steadfast in our beliefs.
Help us to always stand up for what is right and to never compromise our principles.
May we be bold in our witness to the gospel and bring others to the love of Christ.

Prayer to St. Fidelis

Oh St. Fidelis, you gave your life in service to the Church.
Grant us the grace to be faithful servants of the Lord, just as you were.
Help us to be courageous in the face of adversity and to always persevere in doing what is right.
May we follow your example and be true to our faith, even in the most trying of circumstances.

Prayer to St. Fidelis

St. Fidelis, Martyr for the Faith,
You suffered and died for your belief in the gospel.
Grant us the courage to be faithful in our own lives, no matter the cost.
May we always be steadfast in our beliefs and be a witness to the love of Christ.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen: The Patron Saint of Lawyers and Peace

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen is recognized as the patron saint of lawyers and peace. He is known for his unwavering commitment to the truth and his tireless efforts to promote justice and peace in a time of great conflict and violence.

St. Fidelis was a lawyer and professor of law before becoming a priest, and he brought his legal training and skills to his work as a missionary, using his knowledge of the law to advocate for the rights of the oppressed and the marginalized.

In addition to his work as a lawyer and priest, St. Fidelis was also known for his commitment to peace and non-violence. He was a passionate advocate for peace and reconciliation, and he worked tirelessly to promote understanding and cooperation between conflicting groups.

As the patron saint of lawyers and peace, St. Fidelis is often invoked for guidance and protection by those who work in the legal profession and by those who strive for peace and justice in the world. His feast day is celebrated on April 24th, and it is customary for Catholics to attend Mass in his honor and to pray for the continued growth of the Church’s mission to promote peace and justice.

Through their own acts of service and advocacy, Catholics around the world strive to embody the ideals of St. Fidelis and to continue his mission of promoting truth, justice, and peace in the world. Whether through their work as lawyers, peace activists, or simply as members of the Church, St. Fidelis’s legacy continues to inspire and encourage Catholics to work towards a more just and peaceful world.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Fidelis

The feast day of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen is April 24th.

As we gather to celebrate the feast day of St. Fidelis, we are reminded of the powerful impact this Capuchin friar and martyr had on the Church in the 17th century. Born in Sigmaringen, Germany, St. Fidelis devoted his life to the preaching of the Gospel and the protection of the Catholic faith in an area where the protestant reformation was taking hold. He was known for his eloquence and persuasive power in his sermons, which helped to bring many back to the Catholic Church. He was martyred in 1622 while preaching in the Grisons, Switzerland.

St. Fidelis’s life and teachings are an example of how to be a faithful servant of God, even in the most difficult circumstances. He reminds us of the importance of the truth, and how it should be at the center of our lives. He shows us that true devotion to the Church means to be in deep relationship with God and to be a faithful servant of the Church. He encourages us to be bold in our convictions and to use our talents and abilities for the greater good. He teaches us that true wisdom comes from a deep understanding of the Word of God.

As we reflect on the life and teachings of St. Fidelis, we are called to consider how we can put his example into practice in our own lives. We can start by dedicating ourselves to the study of the word of God and to the protection of the Catholic faith. We can also work to promote the truth and to be faithful servants of the Church, even in difficult circumstances.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Fidelis, let us give thanks for the powerful example he has set for us and commit ourselves to following in his footsteps by dedicating ourselves to the study of the word of God, the protection of the Catholic faith and the promotion of the truth. May his example inspire us to be a light in the world and a reflection of the love of Christ in all we do, even in the face of opposition and persecution.

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Also check out our handmade St. Fidelis Medal and St. Fidelis Rosary and St. Fidelis Rosary Bracelet .