Saint Sebastian –Martyr

Born: circa 257 in Gaul (part of modern day France)

Died: circa 288 in Rome, Italy

Canonized: Pre-Congregation-Popular Acclaim

Patronage: Athletes, Archers

Memorial: January 20

A Portrait of Courage and Manhood

Saint Sebastian is quite popular as a Confirmation saint with teens who are members of the Dead Theologians Society. This is largely due to the fact that he is the patron of athletes. It is wonderful that young men are looking to this holy and courageous saint who glorifies God at a time when, unfortunately many athletes are too frequently glorifying self!

Sebastian was born in a town called Narbonne in Gaul which is present day France. He was the son of a wealthy Roman family that may have been from Milan, Italy. Sebastian was raised in Milan.

It is known that Sebastian was a member of the Roman army. It is believed that he actually joined the army so he could be close to Christians who were imprisoned for their belief in Jesus, without drawing suspicion on himself. This way he could provide them with comforts, encouragement and help to alleviate their sufferings.

Point – Many people “sneak” to do bad things. Sebastian placed himself at risk by “sneaking” in to do good works!

Sebastian became a member of the prestigious Praetorian Guard. These soldiers were the selected imperial bodyguards to the Emperor of Rome, indeed a privileged position. Sebastian served under Roman Emperors Maximian and Diocletian. This would have been in the late 200’s.

From his place “on the inside” Sebastian did in fact bring comfort to many who were imprisoned and faced eventual martyrdom. Here is one such account:

Marcus and Marcellian

Marcus and Marcellian were brothers who were put in prison for being Christians.

Point – Though this account was over 1700 years ago, Christians in several parts of the world are still being imprisoned for their Christian faith.

Their parents and some friends made a trip to the prison to try to get Marcus and Marcellian to renounce their belief in Jesus. These parents and friends were still idol worshippers and at that time did not believe in the One True God. If Marcus and Marcellian would’ve just renounced their faith in Jesus and place some incense before some idols, they could have regained their freedom. Sebastian witnessed these attempts by Marcus and Marcellian’s family and friends, and not only did Sebastian intervene and help the brothers stay true to their faith, he also did so with such passion and eloquence that he converted Marcus and Marcellian’s parents and friends to Christianity!

Point – Do we have the strength of character, courage and faith to help bolster up and encourage our friends who are wavering in their faith? Or do we instead, look after our own well being, avoid the potential controversy of such an act, play it safe and stay silent in the attempt to “just keep getting along”? Many who choose the weaker action justify it to themselves by believing it is the “tolerant” or “politically correct” thing to do, when the reality is that such weakness is a manifestation of being a “spiritual sissy.”

Suggestion – Among your friends sometime, find the time to talk about the strength of Saint Sebastian and make a pledge to each other that as friends you will always support each other to stay committed to the Catholic Faith in times of struggle and wavering. Pray for each other, encourage each other and be good Christian witnesses to each other. Many have seen the popular ad or bumper sticker that reads, “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk”. This is very true, but how ‘bout this one: “Friends Don’t Let Friends Go To Hell”. Support your friends in their faith in Jesus.

For awhile, the Emperor Diocletian did not know that Sebastian was a Christian. When he eventually found out he must have felt a sense of betrayal, a sense of really being “punked”. Diocletian ordered Sebastian to be arrested. Sebastian was bound and Diocletian ordered his archers to shoot Sebastian full of arrows. The archers complied and Sebastian was pierced multiple times and left for dead. A woman named Irene who was the recently widowed wife of the martyred Christian officer Castulus, discovered Sebastian’s body. She was shocked to find him still alive, took him and helped him to recover from his wounds.

When Sebastian finally did recover, instead of fleeing, he instead went to where Emperor Diocletian was, and confronted him about the emperor’s cruelties towards the Christians!

Diocletian was both shocked that Sebastian was even alive, and also outraged that a man would dare stand up to, and speak to the emperor in such a way. Diocletian had Sebastian arrested again, and this time had him clubbed to death. Sebastian’s body was then thrown into a common sewer. His remains were recovered by a Christian woman and buried in Rome. The year of Sebastian’s martyrdom was around 288.

There is also an account that Sebastian once cured a woman who was deaf and mute, named Zoe, by making the sign of the cross over her mouth.

In the year 367 a basilica was built over his grave. This church was one of the ancient churches of Rome.

During the Renaissance period artists began painting portrayals of Sebastian as a young man, bound to a tree pierced by arrows.

For his perseverance amidst struggles Saint Sebastian is the patron of athletes. He is also the patron of all soldiers, archers, Pontifical Swiss Guards, metal workers, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Philippines, diseased cattle and Spanish police officers. He is also considered a protector against the plague.

Saint Sebastian’s Feast Day is January 20

Prayer to Saint Sebastian

Holy Saint Sebastian, Courageous Defender of the Faith and Model of Charity

Help us to remain steadfast in our Catholic Faith

Help us to have courage when we face persecution and ridicule for our belief in Jesus

Help us to encourage our brothers and sisters in times of waver and weakness

Help us to be brave, to persevere in struggle, and to remain faithful til death

We make this and all our prayer through Jesus Christ, Our Lord

Amen