In honor of the day

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622), whose memorial we may celebrate today, was baptized Mark Roy and was known as the “poor man’s lawyer” before he entered the Capuchin Order.

He was appalled by the actions of his fellow lawyers and sought to leave their society in search of holiness. Before he entered the Order, he said, “Woe to me if I should prove myself but a halfhearted soldier in the service of my thorn-crowned Captain.” It is as if he said, “Gather the fragments [of my life] leftover, so that nothing will be wasted” (John 6:12).

He would not allow himself to be apathetic or complacement in the faith, but would give himself wholeheartedly to the Lord. For this reason he took the name Fidelis (faithful) when he received the Fanciscan habit. Would that each of us followed his example!

Let us beg his intercession this day, that we, too, may be found wholehearted soldiers in the service of our thorn-crowned Captain. Let us heed well his advice:

We must be convinced of the necessity of havng a living, authentic, and active faith. That is all the more true today, when we face so many difficulties. It is not enough to have a vague, weak, or uncertain faith.

In the end, he was found as one "worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name" and received the martyr's crown (Acts 5:41). Let us follow him, that we may "dwell in the house of the Lord" with him (Psalm 27:4).