Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr
S. Fidelis a Sigmaringa Martyris
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen was a lawyer who, leaving the world, became a Capuchin friar and a zealous preacher of the Faith. Renowned for his charity to the poor, he was put to death for his preaching in the year 1622, the first martyr of the missions of his age.
Saint Fidelis was born at Sigmaringen in Swabia in the year 1577, and was given the name Mark Rey. Gifted in mind and upright in life, he studied law and philosophy at the university and took his degrees with distinction. For a time he practised as an advocate, and so unfailing was his defence of the poor and the wronged, and so free was he from greed, that he came to be called “the poor man’s lawyer.” Yet the corruption he saw in the courts of the world, and his own deepening love of God, drew him to seek a higher service.
From the world to the cloister
Resolving to give himself wholly to God, Mark Rey entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, taking the name Fidelis — the faithful one — a name he would make good unto death. He gave himself to prayer, penance, and study, and was ordained priest. As a friar he was untiring in preaching, in hearing confessions, and in works of mercy; he tended the sick, relieved the poor, and during an outbreak of plague among the soldiers spent himself in the care of the dying. His own writings and the witness of his brethren reveal a man of fervent charity, who asked of God above all the grace of constancy in the Faith.
Faithful unto death
Saint Fidelis was sent by the Holy See to preach in the region of the Grisons in Switzerland, that he might recall to the unity of the Church those who had been separated from her. He laboured there with zeal and gentleness, and with much fruit; but his preaching stirred up opposition, and he knew well the danger he ran, offering himself daily to God for the gift of perseverance. On the twenty-fourth of April, 1622, after preaching, he was set upon by a hostile band and, refusing to forsake the Catholic faith, was struck down and slain. He is honoured as a martyr of charity and of the Faith, and was canonised in 1746.
The Collect
O God, who didst vouchsafe to adorn blessed Fidelis, inflamed with seraphic ardour of spirit, with the palm of martyrdom and with glorious miracles in the spreading of the true Faith: grant, we beseech Thee, by his merits and intercession, so to confirm us by Thy grace in faith and charity, that we may be found faithful in Thy service even unto death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Deus, qui beátum Fidélem, seráphico spíritus ardóre succénsum, in veræ fídei propagatióne martýrii palma et gloriósis miráculis decoráre dignátus es: eius, quǽsumus, méritis et intercessióne, ita nos per grátiam tuam in fide et caritáte confírma; ut in servítio tuo fidéles usque ad mortem inveníri mereámur. Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Patronage
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen is venerated as a patron of lawyers and is honoured especially by the Capuchin Order, of which he is counted the first martyr.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar, this feast is observed on the same day, 24 April, but as an optional memorial.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen?
In the 1962 Roman Missal his feast is kept on 24 April as a Third-Class feast. In the modern calendar it is observed on the same day as an optional memorial.
Who was Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen?
He was a German lawyer, born in 1577, who became a Capuchin friar and a celebrated preacher. Known for his charity to the poor, he was martyred in Switzerland in 1622 while preaching the Catholic faith.
Why was he given the name Fidelis?
He took the name Fidelis, meaning “the faithful one,” when he entered the Capuchin Order. By his constancy in confessing the Faith even at the cost of his life, he made the name his own.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.
These pages are offered with love for the saints and for all who seek them. If anything here should need correcting, we humbly beg your pardon and ask your help — kindly write to [email protected], and we will mend it as soon as we can.
Receive the coming feasts, Mass times, and reflections from our community — sent with care, never spam.