Saint Sebastian

St. Sebastian is a patron saint of archers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death. He is also venerated as a protector from plague and as a patron of plague victims. He was born in Narbonne, Gaul (modern-day France), but was raised in Milan, Italy. He was a strong Christian who desired to assist those persecuted for the faith. This holy desire led Sebastian to join the Roman army under Emperor Carinus in 283, where he kept his Christian faith secret so he could have access to jailed Christians. In 284, Diocletian became Emperor and made Sebastian one of his bodyguards and intelligence officers, not knowing that he was a Christian. Sebastian discovered that Marcus and Marcellianus, brothers imprisoned for their faith, were being pressured by their pagan family to save their lives by denying Christ. Sebastian knew it was risky, but he openly revealed to all at the jail that he was a Christian. He preached so persuasively that eventually, the brothers’ parents, the jailer, sixteen other prisoners, and more than sixty other family and friends were converted and baptized. Two of these received miraculous healings at the same time. In 286, Emperor Diocletian found out that Sebastian was a Christian. Feeling betrayed, he ordered Sebastian’s death. Sebastian was bound, arrested, tied to a post, and blindfolded. After penetrating his torso and limbs with arrows, the archers untied him and left his pierced body for dead. But Sebastian did not die! Instead, a holy woman named Irene came to bury his body and found him still alive! She carefully removed Sebastian’s arrows, took him home, and nursed him back to health. 

After he had regained his health, Sebastian presented himself before the Emperor and firmly accosted him for his cruelty toward Christians. The Emperor, angered by Sebastian’s words and shocked that he was still alive, ordered again that he be executed. This time, Sebastian was beaten to death with clubs and thrown into a sewer. 

Lord, fill us with that spirit of courage which gave Your martyr Sebastian strength to offer his life in faithful witness. Help us to learn from him to cherish Your law and to obey You rather than men. 

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)