mardi 24 avril 2012

Saint FIDÈLE de SIGMARINGEN, prêtre capucin et martyr

Giuseppe Palmieri, San Fedele da Sigmaringen, 1700-1750 ca. Museo dei Cappuccini, Genova


Saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen, prêtre et martyr

Marc Roy (1578-1622) fut avocat à Colmar avant d'entrer chez les Capucins de Fribourg-en-Brisgau, où il devint le Père Fidèle de Sigmaringen. Religieux plein de charité et prédicateur populaire, il fut désigné par la Congrégation de la propagation de la foi à une mission chez les Protestants des Grisons (Suisse), mais il ne tarda pas à y être massacré.

SOURCE : http://www.paroisse-saint-aygulf.fr/index.php/prieres-et-liturgie/saints-par-mois/icalrepeat.detail/2015/04/24/6385/-/saint-fidele-de-sigmaringen-pretre-et-martyr

Saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen

Capucin, prêtre et martyr (+ 1622)

Marc Roy est né à Sigmaringen en Souabe (Allemagne). Il étudia d'abord la philosophie et le droit et commença à Colmar une brillante carrière d'avocat. Il l'abandonne à 34 ans pour entrer chez les Capucins de Fribourg-en-Brisgau, se dépouillant de tous ses biens et prenant le nom de Fidèle. En ce temps-là, la réforme protestante s'étendait dans les pays germaniques. Fidèle se lança dans la controverse, par le ministère de la prédication. Sa parole et son exemple gagnèrent de nombreuses conversions. Même les protestants convaincus étaient séduits par ses paroles et l'appelaient "l'ange de la paix". Pendant dix ans, il parcourut ainsi l'Allemagne du Sud, l'Autriche et la Suisse. Soucieux de la vie spirituelle des fidèles, il rédigea des "Exercices spirituels" selon l'esprit franciscain. Il fut finalement victime de son zèle apostolique. Au cours d'une mission dans le canton des Grisons en Suisse, il fut mis à mort par un petit groupe de protestants fanatiques.

Un internaute nous écrit: Marc Rey naquit en 1577, après ses études de droit, il exerça la charge d'avocat à Colmar, avec un tel souci de justice à l'égard des malheureux, qu'on le surnommait l'avocat des pauvres. Ordonné prêtre en 1612, il se dépensa avec ardeur pendant dix années contre l'hérésie protestante. Le 24 avril 1622, dans le bourg de Sévis, il fut arrêté par une bande d'hérétiques fanatisés qui voulurent le contraindre à renier le catholicisme: "Je ne ne crains pas la mort, répondit-il, je défends la vérité qu'ont soutenue les martyrs; ma cause est la leur, leur sort sera le mien". Il fut tué à coups de sabre.

Mémoire de saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen, prêtre et martyr. Né à Sigmaringen, Marc Roy, fut avocat à Colmar avant d'entrer chez les capucins de Fribourg-en-Brisgau, où il reçut le nom de Fidèle. Menant une vie austère dans les veilles et la prière, assidu à prêcher la parole de Dieu, il fut envoyé au pays des Grisons, en Suisse, pour y affermir la vérité catholique, pour laquelle il fut massacré à Scewis, en 1622, par un groupe de soldats fanatiques.

Martyrologe romain

SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1028/Saint-Fidele-de-Sigmaringen.html

Kloster Habsthal, Gemeinde Ostrach, Landkreis Sigmaringen

Pfarr- und Klosterkirche St. Stephanus, Figur „Hl. Fidelis von Sigmaringen“, 18. Jahrhundert


SAINT FIDÈLE de SIGMARINGEN

Capucin, Martyr

(1577-1622)

Saint Fidèle naquit à Sigmaringen, petite ville d'Allemagne voisine de la Suisse. Son éducation fut soignée, même brillante, et ses vertus étaient si appréciées de ses condisciples, qu'ils l'appelaient le Philosophe chrétien. Dès lors il s'approchait souvent des sacrements, visitait et soignait les malades dans les hôpitaux et passait des heures entières au pied des autels, dans une intime conversation avec Jésus-Christ.

Il exerça plusieurs années la profession d'avocat à Colmar, en Alsace, et s'y fit remarquer par sa loyauté, sa haine du mensonge et la sagesse de ses plaidoyers; il mérita le surnom d'Avocat des pauvres.

Bientôt pourtant la Lumière divine lui fit comprendre qu'il était difficile d'être en même temps riche avocat et bon chrétien: aussi il quitta sans hésiter le monde, où il eût fait bonne figure, pour se retirer chez les Capucins de Fribourg; il y prit l'habit en 1612, à l'âge de trente-cinq ans.

Les premières années de sa vie religieuse, d'abord remplies de consolations, furent bientôt éprouvées par de rudes et persistantes tentations de doutes sur sa vocation. Des doutes, il eut la prudence de les confier au guide de son âme, qui le rassura et lui dit de prier Dieu avec ferveur pour connaître Sa Volonté définitive. Dieu lui rendit dès lors la force et la paix; il fit vendre tous ses biens, dont il distribua le prix en bonnes oeuvres, et dépouillé de tout, il se réjouit d'être désormais un véritable enfant de saint François. Il se félicitait souvent depuis de l'heureux échange qu'il avait fait avec Dieu: "J'ai rendu, disait-il, les biens de la terre, et Dieu me donne en retour le royaume du Ciel!"

Fidèle ajoutait aux mortifications de la règle bien d'autres mortifications. Les meubles les plus pauvres, les habits les plus usés étaient l'objet de son ambition; les haires, les cilices, les ceintures armées de pointes de fer, les disciplines, suppléaient au martyre après lequel il soupirait; l'Avent, le Carême, les vigiles, il ne vivait que de pain, d'eau et de fruits secs: "Quel malheur, disait-il, si je combattais mollement sous ce Chef couronné d'épines!"

Lorsqu'il fut devenu prêtre, ses supérieurs l'envoyèrent prêcher, et ses succès furent tels, que la congrégation de la Propagande le choisit pour aller évangéliser les Frisons, envahis par le protestantisme.

Son zèle fut celui d'un apôtre, sa vie sainte et austère était une prédication si éloquente, qu'elle convertit beaucoup plus d'âmes que les sermons et les raisonnements. Parmi des sectaires furieux, il était chaque jour exposé à la mort. Le martyre vint enfin couronner ses voeux et ses mérites. Plusieurs protestants, par trahison, s'emparèrent un jour de lui, et le transpercèrent à coups de poignards.

Abbé L. Jaud, Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de l'année, Tours, Mame, 1950.

SOURCE : http://magnificat.ca/cal/fr/saints/saint_fidele_de_sigmaringen.html

 Ausschnitt aus dem Bild des Fidelis von Sigmaringen als Frontispiz im Werk von Lucianus Montifontanus "Kurtzer Außzug Deß Leben, Wandel, Marter, und Todt, wie auch Wunderwercken Deß Seeligen P. Fidelis Capucini von Sigmaringen ...", 1729. Ausgabe in der Vorarlberger Landesbibliothek fotografiert, Sig. VA Lucia 1688/1.

Detail of the image of the Fidelis of Sigmaringen as frontispiece in the work of Lucianus Montifontanus "Kurtzer Außzug Deß Leben, Wandel, Marter, und Todt, wie auch Wunderwercken Deß Seeligen P. Fidelis Capucini von Sigmaringen ...", 1729 edition photographed in the Vorarlberg State Library, Sig. VA Lucia 1688/1.


SAINT FIDÈLE DE SIGMARINGEN, CAPUCIN, PRÊTRE ET MARTYR

24 avril

Saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen, Pfärrenbach 

« S’ils me tuent, j’accepterai avec joie la mort par amour de Notre Seigneur. Je le considérerai comme une grande grâce. »

Au civil Marc Roy, le futur frère Fidèle, nait en 1577 dans la famille du maire de sa ville; il est le plus valeureux des enfants et donc le père le fait étudier. En 1604, un noble lui confia quelques descendants à enseigner, dont ses propres enfants, et avec ces garçons, Marc inventa une sorte d’école itinérante entre l’Italie, l’Espagne et la France. Il retournera dans son pays natal seulement six ans plus tard pour son diplôme de droit et devenir l’avocat de tous ceux qui ne pouvaient pas s’en payer un.

D’avocat des pauvres à frère

À l’âge de 34 ans, il étonne tout le monde et demande à être ordonné prêtre. Mais il veut plus: il entre chez les Capucins de Fribourg, l’ordre qui vit le plus rigidement l’esprit franciscain d’origine. Là, il prend le nom de Fidèle et commence à vivre une vie de jeûne, de pénitence et veillée de prière. Comme frère, il occupe divers postes, étudie la théologie et devient gardien au couvent de Weltkirchen, où il est admiré pour son courage à secourir les malades pendant l’épidémie de la peste. Mais c’est comme prédicateur que frère Fidèle se distingue, avec ses paroles toujours fortes et ancrées dans la Parole, qui emportent de nombreuses conversions et tombent comme des flèches contre les hérésies. Ce sont des discours simples et directs, les siens, compréhensibles des lettrés et des paysans, mais surtout accompagnés par l’exemple d’une vie orientée vers la sainteté.

La mission en Suisse calviniste

La voix de frère Fidèle est si cristalline qu’on lui confie une tâche délicate : aller prêcher dans la Rezia, une région comprenant l’actuel canton suisse des Grisons, du Tyrol et une partie de la Bavière. Là, depuis quelques années, s’était enraciné le calvinisme, une doctrine semblable à la Réforme protestante, qui avait à sa tête le théologien Français Jean Calvin. Les luttes entre calvinistes et catholiques étaient désormais monnaie courante et un frère qui prêchait un retour à la foi des pères pouvait difficilement être vue d’un bon œil. Un jour, même pendant la messe, quelqu’un lui tire dessus, mais il ne se décourage pas et poursuit sa mission. Même s’il sait ses jours comptés.

Fidèle jusqu’au bout, comme son nom

Le 24 avril 1622, il accepte l’invitation des calvinistes d’aller prêcher à Séwis. Il ne sait pas que c’est un piège. Les échauffourées commencent, mais il continue, il veut finir sa prédication. Quand il quitte l’église, une vingtaine de soldats armés l’entourent et lui intiment de nier ce qu’il vient de dire, mais il refuse. Frappé à la tête, il est achevé par des épées, il a juste le temps de pardonner à ses assassins. Fidèle jusqu’à la mort, comme le voulait son nom. Quand le maître des novices le lui avait imposé, il avait cité quelques paroles de l’Apocalypse, qui se sont avérées prophétiques : « Soit fidèle jusqu’à la mort et je te donnerai la couronne de la vie. » Tout semble s’être terminé ici, mais tel n’est pas le cas, car, comme c’est souvent le cas, le sang des martyrs féconde la terre et ainsi la mort du Frère Fidèle obtient une réconciliation rapide entre catholiques et calvinistes et un retour de beaucoup à la foi des pères.

SOURCE : https://www.vaticannews.va/fr/saint-du-jour/04/24/saint-fidele-de-sigmaringen--capucin--pretre-et-martyr.html


Hl. Fidelis von Sigmaringen (+ 1622), 1690, Bildarchiv Austria


Saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen

Prêtre capucin et martyr

F

idèle (dans le siècle Markus Roy) naît le 1er octobre 1577 à Sigmaringen, petite ville d'Allemagne voisine de la Suisse. Son éducation fut soignée, même brillante, et ses vertus étaient si appréciées de ses condisciples, qu'ils l'appelaient le Philosophe chrétien. Dès lors il s'approchait souvent des sacrements, visitait et soignait les malades dans les hôpitaux et passait des heures entières au pied des autels, dans une intime conversation avec Jésus-Christ.

Il exerça plusieurs années la profession d'avocat à Colmar, en Alsace, et s'y fit remarquer par sa loyauté, sa haine du mensonge et la sagesse de ses plaidoyers ; il mérita le surnom d'Avocat des pauvres.

Bientôt pourtant la Lumière divine lui fit comprendre qu'il était difficile d'être en même temps riche avocat et bon chrétien : aussi il quitta sans hésiter le monde, où il eût fait bonne figure, pour se retirer chez les Capucins de Fribourg; il y prit l'habit en 1612, à l'âge de trente-cinq ans.

Les premières années de sa vie religieuse, d'abord remplies de consolations, furent bientôt éprouvées par de rudes et persistantes tentations de doutes sur sa vocation. Des doutes, il eut la prudence de les confier au guide de son âme, qui le rassura et lui dit de prier Dieu avec ferveur pour connaître sa volonté définitive. Dieu lui rendit dès lors la force et la paix; il fit vendre tous ses biens, dont il distribua le prix en bonnes œuvres, et dépouillé de tout, il se réjouit d'être désormais un véritable enfant de saint François. Il se félicitait souvent depuis de l'heureux échange qu'il avait fait avec Dieu : « J'ai rendu, disait-il, les biens de la terre, et Dieu me donne en retour le royaume du Ciel ! »

Fidèle ajoutait aux mortifications de la règle bien d'autres mortifications. Les meubles les plus pauvres, les habits les plus usés étaient l'objet de son ambition; les haires, les cilices, les ceintures armées de pointes de fer, les disciplines, suppléaient au martyre après lequel il soupirait ; l'Avent, le Carême, les vigiles, il ne vivait que de pain, d'eau et de fruits secs: « Quel malheur, disait-il, si je combattais mollement sous ce Chef couronné d'épines ! »

Lorsqu'il fut devenu prêtre, ses supérieurs l'envoyèrent prêcher, et ses succès furent tels, que la congrégation de la Propagande le choisit pour aller évangéliser les Grisons, envahis par le protestantisme.

Son zèle fut celui d'un apôtre, sa vie sainte et austère était une prédication si éloquente, qu'elle convertit beaucoup plus d'âmes que les sermons et les raisonnements. Parmi des sectaires furieux, il était chaque jour exposé à la mort. Le martyre vint enfin couronner ses vœux et ses mérites. Plusieurs protestants, par trahison, le 24 avril 1622, s'emparèrent de lui, et le transpercèrent à coups de poignards.

Fidèle de Sigmaringen fut béatifié le 24 mars 1729, par Benoît XIII (Pietro Francesco Orsini, 1724-1730), et canonisé le 29 juin 1746, par Benoît XIV (Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, 1740-1758).

SOURCE : https://www.levangileauquotidien.org/FR/display-saint/ca332c7a-b106-4165-bc0e-1612b4f5b49e


Saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen

Biographie

Marc Roy, né au début d’octobre 1578 à Sigmaringen[1], principauté des Hohenzollern, dans le sud de l’Allemagne, étudia probablement chez les jésuites de Fibourg-en-Brusgau, puis prit ses grades de philosophie à Strasbourg (1601) et ses grades en droit civil et ecclésiastique à Fribourg-en-Brisgau (1611).

De 1604 à 1610, à la tête d’un groupe de trois jeunes nobles souabes, il voyagea en Italie, en France et en Espagne. Durant les six ans que dura le voyage, il restait fidèle à ses résolutions et donna de grand exemples de vertu, attentif à soulager les malades dans les hôpitaux, à visiter les églises, à donner aux pauvres jusqu’à ses propres habits ; déjà, sa piété était toute remise aux mains de la Sainte Vierge dont il méditait longuement les mystères.

Au retour, il alla se perfectionner dans la connaissance des lois à Dillingen et se préparer à la profession d’avocat. Docteur utriusque juris, il fut nommé avocat-conseiller de la Cour de justice d’Autriche, dans la ville alsacienne d’Ensisheim (1611).

Il renonça au barreau, fut ordonné prêtre à Constance (septembre 1612) et, moins d’un mois après, il entra chez les Capucins où il reçut le nom de Fidèle (4 octobre 1612) : « Afin d’imiter parfaitement mon Sauveur, je vivrai constamment dans une extrême pauvreté, dans la chasteté et l’obéissance, dans les souffrances et les persécutions, dans une austère pénitence, une grande humilité, une sincère charité. »

Ayant parfait ses études ecclésiastiques, à partir de 1617, il fut un prédicateur prestigieux, tout en remplissant, au sein de son Ordre, les fonctions de gardien (supérieur) de couvent à Rheinfeldn (1618-1619), à Feldkirch (1619-1620 et 1621-1622) et à Fribourg (1620-1621). Il déploya une intense activité parmi les catholiques de ces régions menacés par le protestantisme, surtout aux environs de Coire et dans la vallée du Praetigau.

A partir de 1622, il prit la tête des capucins envoyés en mission dans les Grisons où sa prédication fit de telles merveilles que les Calvinistes résolurent de le tuer. Invité à prêcher dans l’église de Seewis (diocèse de Coire), le 24 avril 1622, il célébra la messe et, après avoir donné une instruction, fut assassiné à coups d’épée. Il mourut en disant : « Pardonnez, ô mon Dieu, pardonnez à mes ennemis que la passion aveugle : ils ne savent pas ce qu’ils font. Seigneur Jésus, ayez pitié de moi ; Marie, Mère de Jésus, assistez-moi. »

Les hérétiques, craignant qu’il ne fût pas mort, le percèrent de plusieurs coups d’épée et lui tranchèrent la jambe gauche et la tête. Le corps resta exposé aux insultes des hérétiques pendant toute la journée, jusqu’à ce qu’ils fussent chassés par le commandant des troupes autrichiennes qui, après avoir invoqué l’intercession de Fidèle, chargea et remporta une victoire si complète et si inespérée que le ministre protestant qui avait assisté au martyre se convertit. Les capucins de Weltkirchen réclamèrent le corps de leur gardien qui, exhumé le 13 octobre, fut trouvé sans corruption. Le corps fut transporté à la cathédrale de Coire (18 novembre).

Bien des écrits publiés de son vivant [2] étaient déjà perdu à l’époque de son procès de béatification (1626-1628). En revanche, on possède encore le « Testament » qu’il rédigea avant ses vœux de religion (19 septembre 1613) où, après avoir disposé de ses biens, il décrit l'évolution de sa vocation et sa conception de la vie religieuse.

On a aussi les « Exercitia spiritualia » qui sont un recueil de prières et d'exercices de piété dont il usait et qui ne furent découverts qu’après sa mort et qui, parce qu’ils étaient un des manuels préférés de la formation spirituelle des capucins, furent traduits en toutes langues européennes au XVIII° siècle. Il s’agit d’une « compilation où les sources franciscaines sont loin d'occuper la première place.[3] » Les « Exercitia spiritualia » comprennent quatre parties : 1) neuf attitudes fondamentales (oraison, contrition, vérité, humilité, obéissance, patience, gratitude, austérité et charité) ; 2) sept exercices ou demandes de vertus, une pour chaque jour de la semaine, avec une méditation sur la vie du Christ, et ordinairement sur la passion ; 3) des exercices pour la messe[4]; 4) le « Fœdus animæ fidelis cum Deo ictum » qui est une sorte de testament spirituel par lequel l'âme se livre totalement à Dieu, qui donne sept élévations de conformité et d'union dans ce but.

On a aussi retrouvé les « Tractatus inediti », cinq traités composés de la même manière que les « Exercitia spiritualia » : le premier est un recueil de prières[5] et d'exercices de dévotion[6] ; le deuxième est un « Directorium horarum canonicarum » pour bien réciter les heures ; le troisième traité qui concernait 1a communion manque ; le quatrième enseigne la manière de méditer la passion du Christ pendant ces heures ; le cinquième donne vingt-six méditations sur la vie de la Vierge.

Saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen a encore laissé les « Collectanea » qui sont des notes, des méditations et des cahiers de cours de philosophie et théologie, des sermons en partie publiés. Enfin, on conserve dix-huit lettres de saint Fidèle de Sigmaringen dont neuf en allemand.

Après de nombreux miracles, Fidèle de Sigmaringen fut béatifié le 12 mars 1729, par Benoît XIII. Le 29 juin 1746, il était canonisé par Benoît XIV[7].

[1] Sa famille, d’origine anversoise, s’est installée à Sigmaringen vers 1529. Ses parents, Jean Roy et Geneviève de Rosemberg, lui donnèrent une éducation très catholique.

[2] « De sacratissimo rosario », « De articulis fidei catholicæ », « Disputatio contra quosdam hæreticos prætegovienses de sancto sacrificio missæ », « Apologia doctrinæ catholicæ Ecclesiæ », « Symbolum fidei, ad usum germanorum provincæ rhæticæ ».

[3] Les cinq auteurs principaux utilisés sont le chartreux Jean Michel de Coutances (mort en 1600), le dominicain Louis de Grenade (mort en 1588), le jésuite Jacques Alvarez de Paz (mort en 1610), le prétre séculier Nicolas Eschius (mort en 1578) et le franciscain Barthélemy de Salutio (mort en 1617).

[4] 1. préparations à la messe qui donnent pour chaque jour de la semaine des réflexions sur les sept demandes du Pater ; 2. la « Generalis postulatio » à l'intention de chaque état ecclésiastique, où l'on remarque la place donnée aux plaies et aux souffrances du Christ ; 3. des actions de grâce après la messe où saint Fidèle propose sept méditations et demandes, avec prière à la Vierge, profession de foi et mémoire de la passion du Christ.

[5] Litanies, prière du matin, prière avant et après l'office, etc.

[6] « Modus exosculandi quinque vulnera Christi », « Quinque dolores B. Mariæ Virginis », « Examen conscientiæ » etc.

[7] Il a déployé la plénitude de sa charité en soulageant et en secourant extérieurement son prochain ; ouvrant à tous les malheureux des bras paternels, il faisait vivre de véritables troupes de pauvres par les aumônes qu’il recueillait de partout. Il remédiait à l’abandon des orphelins et des veuves en leur procurant du secours auprès des puissants et des princes. Sans relâche il apportait aux prisonniers tout le réconfort, spirituel et corporel, dont il était capable; il visitait assidûment tous les malades, leur apportait de la joie et, après les avoir réconciliés avec Dieu, les fortifiait pour le dernier combat.En ce genre, il n’a jamais moissonné plus de mérites que lorsque l’armée autrichienne, cantonnée dans les Grisons, presque tout entière frappée par une épidémie, s’offrait à la maladie et à la mort comme une proie digne de pitié. Cet homme de foi, Fidèle par son nom et par sa vie, se distingua, en même temps que par sa charité, par son ardeur pour défendre la foi. Il la prêcha inlassablement, et peu de jours avant de la confirmer par son sang, dans son dernier sermon, il laissa comme son testament en prononçant ces paroles :« O foi catholique, comme tu es ferme, comme tu es inébranlable, bien enracinée, bien fondée sur la pierre solide ! Le ciel et la terre disparaîtront, mais tu ne pourras jamais dîsparaître. Dès le commencement, le monde entier t’a contredite, mais tu as triomphé de tous par ta grande puissance. La victoire a vaincu le monde, c’est notre foi. Elle a fait plier des rois très puissants sous le joug du Christ, elle a conduit les peuples à obéir au Christ. Qu’est-ce qui a fait que les saints apôtres et martyrs ont subi de durs combats et de cruels supplices, sinon la foi, principalement la foi en la résurrection ? Qu’est-ce qui a conduit les anciens moines à dédaigner les plaisirs, à mépriser les honneurs, à piétiner les richesses pour mener au désert une vie céleste, sinon la foi vive ? De nos jours, qu’est-ce qui entraîne les Chrétiens à rejeter la facilité, à renoncer au confort, à supporter les épreuves, à souffrir une vie pénible ? C’est la foi vive qui agit par la charité. C’est elle qui fait abandonner les biens présents par l’espérance des biens futurs et, en échange des biens présents, recevoir les biens du monde à venir »(Benoît XIV).

SOURCE : http://missel.free.fr/Sanctoral/04/24.php


St Fidèle de Sigmaringen, martyr

Martyr en 1622. Canonisé en 1746 par Benoît XIV. Inscrit au calendrier par Clément XIV en 1771 comme double.

St Fidèle le Martyr, avec Ste Véronique Giuliani la Mystique stigmatisée et St Laurent de Brindes, le Docteur de l’Église, forme la triple couronne du plus récent des grands ordres franciscains, celui des Capucins fondé en 1517.

Leçons des Matines avant 1960

Quatrième leçon. Fidèle, né à Sigmaringen, ville de Souabe, de l’honnête famille des Rey, se distingua dès l’enfance par les dons singuliers de la nature et de la grâce dont il était orné. Doué du meilleur naturel et formé au bien, grâce à une excellente éducation, il remporta les palmes au collège de Fribourg pendant ses cours de philosophie et de droit, en même temps qu’à l’école de Jésus-Christ il s’efforçait d’atteindre au sommet de la perfection par la pratique assidue des vertus. Ayant été donné pour compagnon à plusieurs gentilshommes, qui visitaient différentes contrées de l’Europe, il ne cessa de les exciter à la piété chrétienne par ses paroles et ses actions. Il fit plus : durant ce voyage il s’efforça de mortifier par de fréquentes austérités les désirs de la chair, et de se rendre tellement maître de lui-même, que dans les circonstances si diverses où il se trouva, on ne vit jamais en lui aucun mouvement d’impatience. Vaillant défenseur du droit et de la justice, il s’acquit, après son retour en Allemagne, un nom célèbre dans la profession d’avocat. Mais lorsqu’il eut expérimenté les dangers de cette profession, il résolut d’entrer dans une voie conduisant plus sûrement au salut, et éclairé par l’appel d’en haut, il sollicita bientôt son admission dans l’Ordre séraphique, parmi les Frères Mineurs Capucins.

Cinquième leçon. Sa pieuse demande ayant été exaucée, il fit paraître dès le début de son noviciat un grand mépris du monde et de lui-même, et quand il eut prononcé les vœux de sa profession solennelle dans la joie de l’Esprit du Seigneur, il devint davantage encore le modèle et l’admiration de tous, par sa fidélité à l’observance régulière. Adonné principalement à l’oraison et à l’étude des saintes lettres, il excellait aussi dans le ministère de la parole, par l’effet d’une grâce particulière, et il amenait non seulement les catholiques à une vie meilleure, mais encore les hérétiques à la connaissance de la vérité. Mis à la tête de plusieurs couvents de son Ordre, il s’acquitta avec prudence, justice, mansuétude, discrétion et grande humilité, de la charge qui lui était confiée. Ardent zélateur de la plus stricte pauvreté, il retranchait totalement de chaque monastère tout ce qui lui semblait être peu nécessaire. Rempli envers lui-même d’une haine salutaire, il châtiait son corps par des jeûnes austères, des veilles et des disciplines, tandis qu’il montrait à tous un amour semblable à celui d’une mère pour ses enfants. Une fièvre pestilentielle étant venue décimer cruellement les troupes autrichiennes, Fidèle s’appliqua généreusement et assidûment aux devoirs de la charité envers les malades dont les besoins étaient extrêmes. Il réussit si bien à apaiser les dissensions et à subvenir aux nécessités du prochain par ses conseils et ses actions, qu’il mérita d’être appelé le père de la patrie.

Sixième leçon. Extrêmement dévot à la Vierge Mère de Dieu, il se plaisait à réciter le rosaire, et demanda à Dieu, par l’intercession de Marie et celle des autres Saints, la grâce de donner sa vie et de verser son sang pour le service de la foi catholique. Comme cet ardent désir s’enflammait chaque jour davantage durant la célébration du saint Sacrifice, l’admirable providence de Dieu permit que ce courageux athlète du Christ fût choisi pour diriger les missions que la Congrégation de la Propagande venait alors d’établir chez les Grisons. Il reçût d’un cœur joyeux et empressé cette charge difficile, et l’exerça avec tant d’ardeur, qu’ayant réussi à convertir un grand nombre d’hérétiques à la foi orthodoxe, il fit luire l’espérance de voir cette nation entière se réconcilier avec l’Église et avec le Christ. Doué du don de prophétie, il prédit plusieurs fois les malheurs qui menaçaient le pays des Grisons, et la mort que lui feraient subir les hérétiques. Instruit des embûches qu’on lui tendait, après s’être préparé au combat qui lui était réservé, il se rendit, le vingt-quatre avril de l’an mil six cent vingt-deux, à l’église du lieu nommé Sévis : c’est là que des hérétiques qui, la veille, feignaient de se convertir, l’avaient invité insidieusement à prêcher. Son discours ayant été interrompu par un tumulte, Fidèle se vit accabler cruellement de coups et de blessures, et souffrit une mort glorieuse avec un cœur joyeux et magnanime, consacrant ainsi, par son propre sang, les prémices des Martyrs de la Congrégation de la Propagande. De nombreux prodiges et miracles l’ont rendu célèbre, principalement à Coire et à Veldkirch, où ses reliques se conservent et sont l’objet d’une très grande vénération de la part du peuple.

Dom Guéranger, l’Année Liturgique

Notre divin Ressuscité tient à avoir autour de sa personne une garde d’honneur de Martyrs. Pour la former, il met à contribution tous les siècles. Ce jour a vu s’ouvrir les rangs de la céleste phalange à un généreux combattant qui avait cueilli sa palme, non en luttant contre le paganisme, comme ceux que nous avons salués déjà à leur passage, mais en défendant sa mère la sainte Église contre des fils révoltés. La main des hérétiques a immolé cette victime triomphale, et le XVIIe siècle a été le théâtre du combat.

Fidèle a rempli toute l’étendue de son nom prédestiné. Jamais un péril ne le vit reculer ; durant toute sa carrière, il n’eut en vue que la gloire et le service de son divin Chef, et quand le moment fut arrivé de marcher au-devant du danger suprême, il avança sans fierté comme sans faiblesse, ainsi qu’il convenait à l’imitateur de Jésus allant à la rencontre de ses ennemis. Honneur au courageux enfant de saint François, digne en tout de son séraphique Patriarche, qui affronta le Sarrasin et fut martyr de désir !

Le protestantisme s’établit et se maintint par le sang, et il a osé se plaindre d’avoir été en butte aux résistances armées des enfants de l’Église. Durant des siècles, il s’est baigné dans le sang de nos frères, dont le seul crime était de vouloir rester fidèles à l’antique foi, à cette foi qui avait civilisé les ancêtres de ses persécuteurs. Il proclamait la liberté en matière de religion, et il immolait des chrétiens qui pensaient dans leur simplicité qu’il devait leur être permis d’user de cette liberté tant vantée, pour croire et pour prier comme on croyait et on priait avant Luther et Calvin. Mais le catholique a tort de compter sur la tolérance des hérétiques. Un instinct fatal entraînera toujours ceux-ci à la violence contre une Église dont la permanence est pour eux un reproche continuel de l’avoir quittée. Ils chercheront d’abord à l’anéantir dans ses membres, et si la lassitude des combats à outrance amène à la fin un certain calme, la même haine s’exercera en essayant d’asservir ceux qu’elle n’ose plus immoler, en insultant et calomniant ceux qu’elle n’a pu exterminer. L’histoire de l’Europe protestante, depuis trois siècles, justifie ce que nous avançons ici ; mais nous devons appeler heureux ceux de nos frères qui, en si grand nombre, ont rendu à la foi romaine le témoignage de leur sang.

Vous avez accompli votre course avec gloire, ô Fidèle ! et la fin de votre carrière a été plus belle encore que n’avait été son cours. Avec quelle sérénité vous êtes allé au trépas ! Avec quelle joie vous avez succombe sous les coups de vos ennemis qui étaient ceux de la sainte Église ! Semblable à Etienne, vous vous êtes affaisse en priant pour eux ; car le catholique qui doit détester l’hérésie, doit aussi pardonner à l’hérétique qui l’immole. Priez, ô saint Martyr, pour les enfants de l’Église ; obtenez qu’ils connaissent mieux encore le prix de la foi, et la grâce insigne que Dieu leur a faite de naître au sein de la seule vraie Église ; qu’ils soient en garde contre les doctrines perverses qui retentissent de toutes parts à leurs oreilles ; qu’ils ne se scandalisent pas des tristes défections qui se produisent si souvent dans ce siècle de mollesse et d’orgueil. C’est la foi qui doit nous conduire à Jésus ressuscité ; il nous la recommande, quand il dit à Thomas : « Heureux ceux qui n’ont pas vu, et qui cependant ont cru ! » Nous voulons croire ainsi, et c’est pour cela que nous nous attachons à la sainte Église qui est la souveraine maîtresse de la foi. C’est à elle que nous voulons croire, et non à la raison humaine qui ne saurait atteindre jusqu’à la parole de Dieu, et moins encore la juger. Cette sainte foi, Jésus a voulu qu’elle nous arrivât appuyée sur le témoignage des martyrs, et chaque siècle a produit ses martyrs. Gloire à vous, ô Fidèle, qui avez conquis la palme en combattant les erreurs de la prétendue réforme ! Vengez-vous en martyr, et demandez sans cesse à Jésus que les sectateurs de l’erreur reviennent à la foi et à l’unité de l’Église. Ils sont nos frères dans le baptême ; priez afin qu’ils rentrent au bercail, et que nous puissions célébrer un jour tous ensemble la véritable Cène de la Pâque, dans laquelle l’Agneau divin se donne en nourriture, non d’une manière figurée, comme dans la loi ancienne, mais en réalité, comme il convient à la loi nouvelle.

Bhx Cardinal Schuster, Liber Sacramentorum

Aujourd’hui s’avance, la palme à la main, un humble fils du Poverello d’Assise, le protomartyr de la nouvelle réforme des Mineurs Capucins, qui, en des circonstances fort semblables à celles que rencontra saint Boniface, apôtre de l’Allemagne, féconda à nouveau de son sang cette terre stérilisée par l’hérésie (+ 1622). Sa fête fut étendue à l’Église universelle par un autre fils de saint François, le pape Clément XIV.

La messe est du Commun des Martyrs.

La grâce du martyre n’est pas le privilège des premières générations chrétiennes, Dieu l’accorde dans tous les temps. Généralement, elle suppose une vertu consommée et une fidèle correspondance à une autre chaîne de grâces qui, dans les conseils de Dieu, doivent servir de préparation à cette grâce finale, laquelle immole à Dieu, dans l’effusion du sang, le sacrifice total de l’être.

Dom Pius Parsch, le Guide dans l’année liturgique

Soyons fidèles.

L’Église chante à la gloire des saints martyrs.

Éclatants de blancheur sont ses élus, Alleluia,

Voilés de la splendeur de Dieu, Alleluia,

Ils sont blancs comme le lait, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Ils sont plus éclatants que la neige, plus blancs qui le lait,

Plus brillants que le vieil ivoire, plus beaux que le saphir. (Répons.)

Saint Fidèle. — Jour de mort : 24 avril 1622. Tombeau : à Coire (Suisse) ; son chef est à Feldkirch (Vorarlberg, Autriche). Image : On le représente en capucin, avec une massue armée de pointes (instrument de son martyre). Vie : Saint Fidèle, qui fut un saint allemand et le « premier martyr de son Ordre et de la Propagande de Rome », naquit en 1577. C’était d’abord un avocat estimé. Mais il sentit que cette profession constituait un danger pour le salut de son âme et il résolut d’entrer dans l’Ordre des Capucins. Il utilisa ses grands dons oratoires pour exhorter les fidèles à une vie sainte et pour ramener les hérétiques à la connaissance de la vérité. Disciple de saint François, il aima beaucoup la pauvreté.. Dur pour lui-même, il était toute charité pour les autres. « Il les entourait comme une mère entoure ses enfants ». Une peste ayant éclaté dans l’armée autrichienne, il s’occupa de tous les besoins spirituels et corporels des soldats et mérita le beau nom de « père de la patrie ». Il avait une grande dévotion envers la Mère de Dieu. Dans sa confiance en son intercession et en celle des autres saints, il demandait souvent à Dieu de pouvoir offrir sa vie et son sang pour l’affermissement de la foi catholique. Supérieur de la mission pour la conversion de la Rhétie (canton des Grisons), il subit la glorieuse mort des martyrs et consacra ainsi dans son sang les prémices du martyre dans son Ordre (1622).

Pratique : Notre saint fut fidèle jusqu’à la mort, fidèle au service du Christ, ferme dans sa foi et dans sa charité. Son nom était un programme de vie. Qu’il le soit pour nous aujourd’hui !

La messe (Protexisti). — La messe est du commun d’un martyr au temps pascal.

SOURCE : http://www.introibo.fr/24-04-St-Fidele-de-Sigmaringen

De saint Fidèle :

« Ô foi catholique, comme tu es ferme, comme tu es inébranlable, bien enracinée, bien fondée sur la pierre solide!

Le ciel et la terre disparaîtront,

mais tu ne pourras jamais disparaître.

Dès le commencement, le monde entier t'a contredite,

mais tu as triomphé de tous par ta grande puissance.

La victoire qui a vaincu le monde, c'est notre foi.

Elle a fait plier des rois très puissants sous le joug du Christ,

elle a conduit les peuples à obéir au Christ. »

San Fedele da Sigmaringen, nella chiesa dello Spirito Santo, a Francavilla Fontana.


Fidèle de Sigmaringen, saint

Auteure/Auteur: Christian Schweizer Traduction: Laurent Auberson

1.10.1578 à Sigmaringen (Hohenzollern), 24.4.1622 à Seewis, cath., de Sigmaringen. Fils de Hans Roy, bourgmestre, et de Genoveva Rosenberger. Pratiquement orphelin après la mort prématurée de son père, bientôt suivie de l'abandon de sa mère, l'enfant reçut à l'école communale de Sigmaringen puis au collège de jésuites de Fribourg-en-Brisgau une éducation marquée par l'esprit de la Contre-Réforme. Il étudia à l'université de Fribourg-en-Brisgau (docteur ès lettres en 1603, docteur en l'un et l'autre droits en 1611). Il fut précepteur de jeunes nobles en France, en Espagne et en Italie (1604-1610). Conseiller de justice auprès du gouvernement de l'Autriche antérieure à Ensisheim (1611-1612), mais déçu par les pratiques de la profession, il cessa toute activité, se fit consacrer prêtre le 3 octobre 1612 et entra le lendemain au couvent des capucins de Fribourg-en-Brisgau (rattaché à la province helvétique de l'ordre), sous le nom de Fidèle. Après quatre ans d'études de théologie dans les couvents de capucins de Constance et de Frauenfeld, il devint prédicateur et aumônier des convertis, puis père gardien à Rheinfelden en 1618, à Fribourg-en-Brisgau en 1620-1621 et à Feldkirch en 1621. Comme aumônier militaire, il s'occupa des troupes autrichiennes stationnées à Feldkirch pendant la guerre de Trente Ans. Chargé de porter la mission aux Grisons dans le cadre de la reconquête catholique, il fut tué après une prédication à Seewis. Premier martyr de la congrégation de la Propagande, créée à Rome en 1622, il sera béatifié en 1729 par le pape Benoît XIII et canonisé en 1746 par Benoît XIV.

Reliques de Fidèle de Sigmaringen. Détail de la niche ménagée dans l'autel de la crypte de la cathédrale de Coire, photographie de 2010 © Ralph Feiner, Coire. […]

Sources et bibliographie

Fonds d'archives

Arch. provinciales des capucins suisses, Lucerne

Bibliographie

Lebensbeschreibungen des heiligen Fidelis von Sigmaringen (1623), 1993

Sankt Fidelis von Sigmaringen, cat. expo. Sigmaringen, 1996 (avec bibliogr.)

J. von Grünwangen, «Bericht über den Tod des heiligen Fidelis», in Helvetia Franciscana, 25, 1996, 5-34

O. Schmucki, Fidelis von Sigmaringen (1578-1622), 2004 (bibliogr.)

Complété par la rédaction

Ilg, Matthias Emil: Constantia et Fortitudo. Der Kult des kapuzinischen Blutzeugen Fidelis von Sigmaringen zwischen «Pietas Austriaca» und «Ecclesia Triumphans», 2016.

Provincialat des Capucins suisses (éd.): Helvetia Franciscana, 51, 2022.

SOURCE : https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/fr/articles/010197/2021-09-23/


Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Also known as

the poor man’s lawyer

Mark Rey

Fidel de Sigmaringa

Fedele…

Memorial

24 April

Profile

Lawyer and philosophy teacher. Disgusted by the greed, corruption, and lack of interest in justice by his fellow lawyers, Mark Rey abandoned the law, became a priest, became a Franciscan friar with his brother George, changed his name to Fidelis, and gave away his worldly wealth to poor people in general and poor seminarians in particular. He was served his friary as guardian, and worked in epidemics, especially healing soldiers. He led a group of Capuchins to preach to Calvinists and Zwinglians in Switzerland. The success of this work, and lack of violence suffered by mission was attributed to Fidelis spending his nights in prayer. He was, however, eventually martyred for his preaching.

Born

1577 at Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, Germany as Mark Rey

Died

murdered 24 April 1622 at Grusch, Grisons, Switzerland

Beatified

24 March 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII

Canonized

29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV

Representation

heretics

the Morning Star

trampling on the word heresy

with a club set with spikes

with a whirlbat

with a hurlbat

with an angel carrying a palm of martyrdom

with Saint Joseph of Leonissa

Readings

Woe to me if I should prove myself but a half-hearted soldier in the service of my thorn-crowned Captain. – Saint Fidelis

Additional Information

Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate

Catholic Encyclopedia

Franciscan Herald

Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler

Pictorial Lives of the Saints

Roman Martyrology1914 edition

Saints of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein

books

Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints

other sites in english

Catholic Culture

Catholic Heroes

Catholic Ireland

Catholic News Agency

Catholic Online

Cradio

Franciscan Media

Saints Stories for All Ages

uCatholic

Wikipedia

images

Santi e Beati

Wikimedia Commons

video

YouTube PlayList

sitios en español

Martirologio Romano2001 edición

sites en français

Abbé Christian-Philippe Chanut

Fête des prénoms

fonti in italiano

Cathopedia

Martirologio dei Frati Minori Cappuccini

Martirologio Romano2005 edition

Provincia Serafica dell’ Umbria dei Frati Minori Cappuccini

Santi e Beati

Wikipedia

nettsteder i norsk

Den katolske kirke

MLA Citation

“Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen“. CatholicSaints.Info. 5 October 2022. Web. 20 April 2023. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/

Kapuzinerkirche (Koblenz), Gemälde im Giebel des linken Seitenaltars St. Fidelis von Sigmaringen

Kapuzinerkirche (Koblenz), Gemälde im Giebel des linken Seitenaltars St. Fidelis von Sigmaringen


Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Born in 1577, at Sigmaringen, Prussia, of which town his father Johannes Rey was burgomaster; died at Sevis, 24 April, 1622. On the paternal side he was of Flemish ancestry. He pursued his studies at the University of Freiburg in the Breisgau, and in 1604 became tutor to Wilhelm von Stotzingen, with whom he travelled inFrance and Italy. In the process for Fidelis's canonization Wilhelm von Stotzingen bore witness to the severe mortifications his tutor practised on these journeys. In 1611 he returned to Freiburg to take the doctorate incanon and civil law, and at once began to practise as an advocate. But the open corruption which found place in the law courts determined him to relinquish that profession and to enter the Church. He was ordained priest the following year, and immediately afterwards was received into the Order of Friars Minor of the Capuchin Reform at Freiburg, taking the name of Fidelis. He has left an interesting memorial of his novitiate and of hisspiritual development at that time in a book of spiritual exercises which he wrote for himself. This work was re-edited by Father Michael Hetzenauer, O.F.M. Cap., and republished in 1893 at Stuttgart under the title: "S.Fidelis a Sigmaringen exercitia seraphicae devotionis". From the novitiate he was sent to Constance to finish his studies in theology under Father John Baptist, a Polish friar of great repute for learning and holiness. At the conclusion of his theological studies Fidelis was appointed guardian first of the community at Rheinfelden, and afterwards at Freiburg and Feldkirch. As a preacher his burning zeal earned for him a great reputation.

From the beginning of his apostolic career he was untiring in his efforts to convert heretics nor did he confine his efforts in this direction to the pulpit, but also used his pen. He wrote many pamphlets against Calvinism and Zwinglianism though he would never put his name to his writings. Unfortunately these publications have long been lost. Fidelis was still guardian of the community at Feldkirch when in 1621 he was appointed to undertake a mission in the country of the Grisons with the purpose of bringing back that district to theCatholic Faith. The people there had almost all gone over to Calvinism, owing partly to the ignorance of the priests and their lack of zeal. In 1614 the Bishop of Coire had requested the Capuchins to undertake missions amongst the heretics in his diocese, but it was not until 1621 that the general of the order was able to sendfriars there. In that year Father Ignatius of Sergamo was commissioned with several other friars to place himself at the disposal of this bishop for missionary work, and a similar commission was given to Fidelis who however still remained guardian of Feldkirche. Before setting out on this mission Fidelis was appointed by authority of the papal nuncio to reform the Benedictine monastery at Pfafers. He entered upon his new labours in the true apostolic spirit. Since he first entered the order he had constantly prayed, as he confided to a fellow-friar, for two favours: one, that he might never fall into mortal sin; the other, that he might die for theFaith. In this Spirit he now set out, ready to give his life in preaching the Faith. He took with him his crucifix, Bible, Breviary, and the book of the rule of his order; for the rest, he went in absolute poverty, trusting to Divine Providence for his daily sustenance. He arrived in Mayenfeld in time for Advent and began at once preaching and catechizing; often preaching in several places the same day. His coming aroused strong opposition and he was frequently threatened and insulted. He not only preached in the Catholic churches and in the public streets, but occasionally in the conventicles of the heretics. At Zizers one of the principal centres of his activity, he held conferences with the magistrates and chief townsmen, often far into the night. They resulted in the conversion of Rudolph de Salis, the most influential man in the town, whose public recantation was followed by many conversions.

Throughout the winter Fidelis laboured indefatigably and with such success that the heretic preachers were seriously alarmed and set themselves to inflame the people against him by representing that his mission was political rather than religious and that he was preparing the way for the subjugation of the country by the Austrians. During the Lent of 1622 he preached with especial fervour. At Easter he returned to Feldkirch to attend a chapter of the order and settle some affairs of his community. By this time the Congregation of the Propaganda had been established in Rome, and Fidelis was formally constituted by the Congregation, superior of the mission in the Grisons. He had, however, a presentiment that his laborers would shortly be brought to a close by a martyr's death. Preaching a farewell sermon at Feldkirch he said as much. On re-entering the country of the Grisons he was met everywhere with the cry: "Death to the Capuchins!" On 24 April, being then at Grusch, he made his confession and afterwards celebrated Mass and preached. Then he set out for Sevis. On the way his companions noticed that he was particularly cheerful. At Sevis he entered the church and began to preach, but was interrupted by a sudden tumult both within and without the church. Several Austriansoldiers who were guarding the doors of the church were killed and Fidelis himself was struck. A Calvinist present offered to lead him to a place of security. Fidelis thanked the man but said his life was in the hands of God. Outside the church he was surrounded by a crowd led by the preachers who offered to save his life if he would apostatize. Fidelis replied: "I came to extirpate heresy, not to embrace it", whereupon he was struck down. He was the first martyr of the Congregation of Propaganda. His body was afterwards taken to Feldkirch and buried in the church of his order, except his head and left arm, which were placed in the cathedral atCoire. He was beatified in 1729, and canonized in 1745. St. Fidelis is usually represented in art with a crucifixand with a wound in the head; his emblem is a bludgeon. His feast is kept on 24 April.

Hess, Lawrence. "St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company,1909. 23 Apr. 2015 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06069a.htm>.

Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Joseph P. Thomas.

Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. September 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.

Copyright © 2021 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06069a.htm

Fideliskapelle in Gargellen, St. Gallenkirch, Montafon, Österreich


St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Born in 1577, at Sigmaringen, Prussia, of which town his father Johannes Rey was burgomaster; died at Sevis, 24 April, 1622. On the paternal side he was of Flemish ancestry. He pursued his studies at the University of Freiburg in the Breisgau, and in 1604 became tutor to Wilhelm von Stotzingen, with whom he travelled in France and Italy. In the process for Fidelis’s canonization Wilhelm von Stotzingen bore witness to the severe mortifications his tutor practised on these journeys. In 1611 he returned to Freiburg to take the doctorate in canon and civil law, and at once began to practise as an advocate. But the open corruption which found place in the law courts determined him to relinquish that profession and to enter the Church. He was ordained priest the following year, and immediately afterwards was received into the Order of Friars Minor of the Capuchin Reform at Freiburg, taking the name of Fidelis. He has left an interesting memorial of his novitiate and of his spiritual development at that time in a book of spiritual exercises which he wrote for himself. This work was re-edited by Father Michael Hetzenauer, O.F.M. Cap., and republished in 1893 at Stuttgart under the title: “S. Fidelis a Sigmaringen exercitia seraphicae devotionis”. From the novitiate he was sent to Constance to finish his studies in theology under Father John Baptist, a Polish friar of great repute for learning and holiness. At the conclusion of his theological studies Fidelis was appointed guardian first of the community at Rheinfelden, and afterwards at Freiburg and Feldkirch. As a preacher his burning zeal earned for him a great reputation.

From the beginning of his apostolic career he was untiring in his efforts to convert heretics nor did he confine his efforts in this direction to the pulpit, but also used his pen. He wrote many pamphlets against Calvinism and Zwinglianism though he would never put his name to his writings. Unfortunately these publications have long been lost. Fidelis was still guardian of the community at Feldkirch when in 1621 he was appointed to undertake a mission in the country of the Grisons with the purpose of bringing back that district to the Catholic Faith. The people there had almost all gone over to Calvinism, owing partly to the ignorance of the priests and their lack of zeal. In 1614 the Bishop of Coire had requested the Capuchins to undertake missions amongst the heretics in his diocese, but it was not until 1621 that the general of the order was able to send friars there. In that year Father Ignatius of Sergamo was commissioned with several other friars to place himself at the disposal of this bishop for missionary work, and a similar commission was given to Fidelis who however still remained guardian of Feldkirche. Before setting out on this mission Fidelis was appointed by authority of the papal nuncio to reform the Benedictine monastery at Pfafers. He entered upon his new labours in the true apostolic spirit. Since he first entered the order he had constantly prayed, as he confided to a fellow-friar, for two favours: one, that he might never fall into mortal sin; the other, that he might die for the Faith. In this Spirit he now set out, ready to give his life in preaching the Faith. He took with him his crucifix, Bible, Breviary, and the book of the rule of his order; for the rest, he went in absolute poverty, trusting to Divine Providence for his daily sustenance. He arrived in Mayenfeld in time for Advent and began at once preaching and catechizing; often preaching in several places the same day. His coming aroused strong opposition and he was frequently threatened and insulted. He not only preached in the Catholic churches and in the public streets, but occasionally in the conventicles of the heretics. At Zizers one of the principal centres of his activity, he held conferences with the magistrates and chief townsmen, often far into the night. They resulted in the conversion of Rudolph de Salis, the most influential man in the town, whose public recantation was followed by many conversions.

Throughout the winter Fidelis laboured indefatigably and with such success that the heretic preachers were seriously alarmed and set themselves to inflame the people against him by representing that his mission was political rather than religious and that he was preparing the way for the subjugation of the country by the Austrians. During the Lent of 1622 he preached with especial fervour. At Easter he returned to Feldkirch to attend a chapter of the order and settle some affairs of his community. By this time the Congregation of the Propaganda had been established in Rome, and Fidelis was formally constituted by the Congregation, superior of the mission in the Grisons. He had, however, a presentiment that his laborers would shortly be brought to a close by a martyr’s death. Preaching a farewell sermon at Feldkirch he said as much. On re-entering the country of the Grisons he was met everywhere with the cry: “Death to the Capuchins!” On 24 April, being then at Grusch, he made his confession and afterwards celebrated Mass and preached. Then he set out for Sevis. On the way his companions noticed that he was particularly cheerful. At Sevis he entered the church and began to preach, but was interrupted by a sudden tumult both within and without the church. Several Austrian soldiers who were guarding the doors of the church were killed and Fidelis himself was struck. A Calvinist present offered to lead him to a place of security. Fidelis thanked the man but said his life was in the hands of God. Outside the church he was surrounded by a crowd led by the preachers who offered to save his life if he would apostatize. Fidelis replied: “I came to extirpate heresy, not to embrace it”, whereupon he was struck down. He was the first martyr of the Congregation of Propaganda. His body was afterwards taken to Feldkirch and buried in the church of his order, except his head and left arm, which were placed in the cathedral at Coire. He was beatified in 1729, and canonized in 1745. St. Fidelis is usually represented in art with a crucifix and with a wound in the head; his emblem is a bludgeon. His feast is kept on 24 April.

SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/st-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/

Die Apotheose des Heiligen Fidelis (Markus Roy). Altarblatt der ehemaligen Fideliskapelle des Kapuzinerklosters Rheinfelden AG, heuteSt. Martinskirche Rheinfelden. Pompeo Batoni um 1746, 245 x 175 , Stiftung der Kaiserin Maria Theresia zur Weihung der Fideliskapelle 1750. Literatur: Richard Schell: Fidelis von Sigmaringen, Der heilige in den Darstellungen der Kust aus vier Jahrhunderten, Thorbecke, 1977, S. 93


Pictorial Lives of the Saints – Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Article

Fidelis was born at Sigmaringen in 1577, of noble parents. In his youth he frequently approached the Sacraments, visited the sick and the poor, and spent moreover many hours before the altar. For a time he followed the legal profession, and was remarkable for his advocacy of the poor and his respectful language towards his opponents. Finding it difficult to become both a rich lawyer and a good Christian, Fidelis entered the Capuchin Order, and embraced a life of austerity and prayer. Hair shirts, iron-pointed girdles and disciplines were penances too light for his fervor, and being filled with a desire of martyrdom, he rejoiced at being sent to Switzerland by the newly-founded Congregation of Propaganda, and braved every peril to rescue souls from the diabolical heresy of Calvin. When preaching at Sevis, he was fired at by a Calvinist, but the fear of death could not deter him from proclaiming divine truth. After his sermon, he was waylaid by a body of Protestants headed by a minister, who attacked him and tried to force him to embrace their so-called reform. But he said, “I came to refute your errors, not to embrace them; I will never renounce Catholic doctrine, which is the truth of all ages, and I fear not death.” On this they fell upon him with their poignards, and the first martyr of Propaganda went to receive his palm.

Reflection – We delight in decorating the altars of God with flowers, lights, and jewels, and it is right to do so; but if we wish to offer to God gifts of higher value, let us, in imitation of Saint Fidelis, save the souls who but for us would be lost; for so we shall offer him, as it were, the jewels of Paradise.

MLA Citation

John Dawson Gilmary Shea. “Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen”. Pictorial Lives of the Saints1889. CatholicSaints.Info. 7 March 2014. Web. 23 April 2020. <https://catholicsaints.info/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/


Giovanni Battista Tiepolo  (1696–1770), I santi Fedele da Sigmaringen e Giuseppe da Leonessa, ca.1752, oil on canvas, 247 x 171, Galleria nazionale di Parma


April 24

St. Fidelis of Sigmarengen, Martyr

From the process of his canonization, and other memoires, collected by F. Theodore of Paris, of the same Order of Capuchin friars. See the acts of the canonization of SS. Fidelis of Sigmarengen, Camillus de Lellis, Peter Regalati, Joseph of Leonissa and Catharine Ricci, by Benedict XIV. printed in 1749, folio. On St. Fidelis, pp. 101, 179, and the bull for his canonization, p. 516.

A.D. 1622

HE was born in 1577, at Sigmarengen, a town in Germany, in the principality of Hoinvenzollen. The name of his father was John Rey. The saint was christened Mark; performed his studies in the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, and whilst he taught philosophy, commenced doctor of laws. He at that time never drank wine, and wore a hair-shirt. His modesty, meekness, chastity, and all other virtues, charmed all who had the happiness of his acquaintance. In 1604, he accompanied three young gentlemen of that country on their travels through the principal parts of Europe. During six years, which he continued in this employment, he never ceased to instil into them the most heroic and tender sentiments of piety. He received the holy sacrament very frequently, particularly on all the principal holidays. In every town where he came, he visited the hospitals and churches, passed several hours on his knees in the presence of the blessed sacrament, and gave to the poor sometimes the very clothes off his back. After this he practised the law in quality of counsellor or advocate at Colmar, in Alsace, with great reputation, but with greater virtue. Justice and religion directed all his actions. He scrupulously forbore all invectives, detractions, and whatever might affect the reputation of any adversary. His charity procured him the surname of counsellor and advocate for the poor: but the injustices of a colleague in protracting lawsuits for gain, and his finding fault with our saint for producing all his proofs for his clients in the beginning, in order to the quicker dispatch, gave him a disgust of a profession which was to many an occasion of sin, and determined him to enter among the Capuchin friars. 1 He first received holy orders, and having said his first mass in their convent at Fribourg, on the feast of St. Francis, in 1612, he consecrated himself to God by taking the habit. The guardian gave him, in religion, the name of Fidelis, or Faithful, alluding to that text of the Apocalypse which promises a crown of life to him who shall continue faithful to the end. From that moment, humiliations, macerations, and implicit obedience were his delight. He overcame temptations by discovering them to his director, and submitting to his advice with regard to his conduct under them. By his last will, he bequeathed his patrimony to the bishop’s seminary, for the establishment of a fund for the support of poor students, to whom he also left his library; and gave the remainder of his substance to the poor. In regard to dress and furniture, he always chose that for his own use which was the least valuable and convenient. He fasted Advent, Lent, and Vigils, on bread and water, with dried fruits, tasting nothing which had been dressed by fire. His life was a continued prayer and recollection, and at his devotions he seemed rather like an angel than a man. His earnest and perpetual petition to God was, that he would always preserve him from sin, and from falling into tepidity or sloth in his service. He sought the most abject and most painful employments even when superior; knowing that God exalts those highest who have here humbled themselves the lowest and the nearest to their own nothingness. He had no sooner finished his course of theology, than he was employed in preaching and in hearing confessions; and being sent superior to the convent of Weltkirchen, that town and many neighbouring places were totally reformed by his zealous labours, and several Calvinists converted. The Congregation de Propaganda Fide, sent to father Fidelis a commission to go and preach among the Grisons; and he was the first missionary that was sent into those parts after that people had embraced Calvinism. Eight other fathers of his Order were his assistants, and laboured in this mission under his direction. The Calvinists of that territory, being incensed at his attempt, loudly threatened his life, and he prepared himself for martyrdom on entering upon this new harvest. Ralph de Salis, and another Calvinist gentleman, were converted by his first conferences. The missionary penetrated into Pretigout, a small district of the Grisons, in 1622, on the feast of the Epiphany, and gained every day new conquests to Christ; the conversion of which souls ought to be regarded as more the fruit of the ardent prayers in which he passed great part of the nights, than of his sermons and conferences in the day. These wonderful effects of his apostolic zeal, whereof the bishop of Coire sent a large and full account to the Congregation de Propaganda, so enraged the Calvinists in that province, who had lately rebelled against the emperor, their sovereign, that they were determined to bear with them no longer. The holy father having notice of it, thought of nothing put preparing himself for his conflict, passing whole nights in fervent prayer before the blessed sacrament, or before his crucifix, and often prostrate on the ground. On the 24th of April, 1622, he made his confession to his companion with great compunction, said mass, and then preached at Gruch, a considerable borough. At the end of his sermon, which he delivered with more than ordinary fire, he stood silent on a sudden, with his eyes fixed on heaven, in an ecstacy, during some time. He foretold his death to several persons in the clearest terms, and subscribed his last letters in this manner: “Brother Fidelis, who will be shortly the food of worms.” From Gruch he went to preach at Sevis, where, with great energy, he exhorted the Catholics to constancy in the faith. A Calvinist having discharged his musket at him in the church, the Catholics entreated him to leave the place. He answered, that death was his gain and his joy, and that he was ready to lay down his life in God’s cause. On his road back to Gruch, he met twenty Calvinist soldiers with a minister at their head. They called him false prophet, and urged him to embrace their sect. 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.” One of them beat him down to the ground by a stroke on his head with his backsword. The martyr rose again on his knees, and stretching out his arms in the form of a cross, said with a feeble voice: “Pardon my enemies, O Lord: blinded by passion they know not what they do. Lord Jesus have pity on me. Mary, mother of Jesus, assist me.” Another stroke clove his skull, and he fell to the ground and lay weltering in his blood. The soldiers, not content with this, added many stabs in his body, and hacked his left leg, as they said, to punish him for his many journeys into those parts to preach to them. A Catholic woman lay concealed near the place during this butchery; and after the soldiers were gone, coming out to see the effects of it, found the martyr’s eyes open, and fixed on the heavens. He died in 1622, the forty-fifth year of his age, and the tenth of his religious profession. He was buried by the Catholics the next day. The rebels were soon after defeated by the imperialists, an event which the martyr had foretold them. The minister was converted by this circumstance, and made a public abjuration of his heresy. After six months, the martyr’s body was found incorrupt, but the head and left arm separate from the trunk. These being put into two cases, were translated from thence to the cathedral of Coire, at the earnest suit of the bishop, and laid under the high altar with great pomp; the remainder of the corpse was deposited in the Capuchin’s church at Weltkirchen. Three miracles performed by his relics and intercession, out of three hundred and five produced, are inserted in the decree of his beatification, published by Pope Benedict XIII. in 1729. Other miracles were proved, and the decree of his canonization was published by Benedict XIV. in 1746. The 24th of April is appointed the day of his festival, and his name is inserted in the Roman Martyrology. See the acts of his canonization; also his life, wrote by Dom. Placid, abbot of Weissenau, or Augia Brigantina, published by Dom. Bernard Pez, librarian in the famous abbey of Melch, in Austria, in his Bibliotheca Ascetica, t. 10, p. 403.

To contribute to the conversion of a soul from sin is something far more excellent than to raise a dead body to life. This must soon fall again a prey to death; and only recovers by such a miracle the enjoyment of the frail and empty goods of this world. But the soul which, from the death of sin, is raised to the life of grace, is immortal, and, from a slave of the devil and a firebrand of hell, passes to the inestimable dignity and privileges of a child of God; by which divine adoption she is rescued out of the abyss of infinite misery, and exalted to the most sublime state of glory and happiness, in which all the treasures of grace and of heaven are her portion for ever. Hunger, thirst, watchings, labours, and a thousand martyrdoms, ought to seem nothing to one employed in the sacred ministry, with the hopes of gaining but one sinner to Christ. Moreover, God himself will be his recompense, who is witness, and keeps a faithful account of all his fatigues and least sufferings.

Note 1. These are an austere reformation of the Franciscans, or Grey-Friars, commenced in Italy in 1528, by Friar Matthew de Basei, and approved of by Clement VIII. [back]

Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73).  Volume IV: April. The Lives of the Saints.  1866.

SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/4/241.html


Giovanni Battista Tiepolo  (1696–1770), Saint Fidelis of Sigmarigen and Saint Joseph of Leonessa, between 1747 and 1758, drawing, black chalk, brown pen, brown wash and white gouache on paper, Albertina,  Innere Stadt (First District) of ViennaAustria.


Fidelis of Sigmaringen, OFM Cap. M (RM)

Born in Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, Germany, in 1577; died at Grüsch, Grisons, Switzerland, on April 24, 1622; canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746.

In 1604, Mark Rey was teaching philosophy at the University of Freiburg-in-Breisgau, when he was appointed tutor to a small party of noble Swabian men who wanted to finish their education with supplementary studies in the chief cities of western Europe. During the six-year tour, Rey became greatly esteemed by his companions. He set them an example of religious devotion and goodness to the poor, to whom he sometimes literally gave the clothes off his back.

When he returned to Germany, he took his doctorate in law and began to practice as an advocate at Ensisheim in Upper Alsace. He gained a reputation for honesty and his refusal to use the vituperative language often then employed to level an opponent. His support of the poor led to the moniker "the Poor Man's Lawyer."

Repulsed by the unscrupulous measures used by his colleagues in practicing law, in 1612, he decided to enter the reformed Capuchin branch of the Franciscan Order, which his brother George had already joined. Mark Rey donated his wealth to the poor and to needy seminarians. After receiving holy orders, he took the name Fidelis. Upon completion of his theological course, he preached and heard confessions. Fidelis was successively appointed superior of Rheinfelden, Frieburg, and Feldkirch. During this last appointment, he reformed the town and outlying districts, and converted many Protestants. He also wrote a book of spiritual exercises that was translated into several languages.

His reputation grew due to his devotion to the sick, many of whom he cured during an epidemic. The bishop of Chur requested that his superiors send him, with eight other Capuchins, to preach among the Zwinglian Protestants in the Grisons of Switzerland. This was the first attempt since the Reformation to recover the area from heresy. Fidelis courageously pretended to disregard threats of violence. From the very beginning, the mission made inroads, and the newly established Congregation for the Spreading of the Faith formally appointed him leader of the Grison enterprise.

So great were his powers of preaching that he enjoyed tremendous success, which enraged his adversaries. They then worked to turn the peasants against him by representing him as an agent of the Austrian emperor, and avowing to him an intention to balk their national aspirations for independence. Forewarned, Fidelis spent several nights in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament preparing for death.

On April 24, 1622, he preached at Grüsch. He then travelled to Sewis, where, in the middle of a sermon on "One Lord, one faith, one baptism," a Protestant fired his musket at Fidelis. The bullet missed and lodged in a wall. In the following confusion the Austrian soldiers who were in the vicinity were attacked. When a Protestant offered to harbor Fidelis, the saint replied that his life was in God's hands. Fidelis attempted to return to Grüsch but was beset by opponents who demanded that he repudiate his faith. He refused, and as his murderers stabbed him with their weapons he called out to God to forgive them. (Another source says that one assassin's bullet missed him, but a second killed him.) A Zwinglian minister who was present was converted. The body of Fidelis now rests in Coira cathedral (Benedictines, Bentley, Encyclopedia, Farmer, Walsh, White).

Fidelis is depicted in art with a club set with spikes or a whirlbat (White). He emblem is heretics. Generally, he is portrayed with Saint Joseph of Leonissa. Saint Fidelis tramples on "Heresy" and an angel carries the palm of martyrdom. The Morning Star may also be shown in his icon (Roeder).

SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0424.shtml


Stamp of the Principality of Liechtenstein; 1982; commemorative stamp of the issue "Paintings famous visitors in Liechtenstein - II"; detail of a painting with a portrait of Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622, was philosopher, jurist, missionary and priest of the chapuchin order, martyr, and Catholic Saint). He was murdered in Seewis (Switzerland) and was canonized on 29 June 1746.; He is pictured with a spike-club, the so-called "Prettigau cudgel", and mostly with a sword (here with a lance). Fidelis of Sigmaringen is the patron of the towns Sigmaringen (Germany) and Feldkirch (Austria), he is also the family patron of the House of Hohenzollern, patron of the region Vorarlberg (Austria) as well as the patron of the professional group of the lawyers.; stamp postmarked


Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr of the First Order

Article

This glorious son of Saint Francis was born at Sigmaringen, in the principality of Hohenzollern, Germany, in 1577, and received in Baptism the name of Mark. His virtuous parents and his godfather watched with great care over his early education, and as they saw that talent and a laudable ambition to advance in knowledge were joined in him with piety and modesty, they, after the completion of his elementary studies, decided to send him to the University of Freiburg in the Breisgau, there to prepare himself for his future career. Mark devoted himself with his wonted energy to the study of philosophy and of law, and was graduated with great honors in 1603. If his brilliant talents and the great progress he made in his studies attracted the attention of both professors and students, his genuine piety, his pure and mortified life still more aroused their admiration and endeared him to all. When, therefore, in 1603, the parents of several noble youths, wishing their sons to make a tour through the principal countries of Europe, sought a suitable guide and companion for their sons, the professors of the University at once recommended to them Mark as well qualified to act in this capacity.

On the journey covering six years, during which they traveled through France, Italy, and parts of Spain, Mark proved a true friend, a wise and prudent guide, and a model of virtue. He watched most carefully over the conduct and morals of the youths entrusted to his charge, and while assisting them in every way in the acquisition of useful knowledge, he also strove to instill into their hearts sentiments of piety and love of virtue. His kind exhortations were confirmed by the edifying example of his life. He frequently received the Sacraments, whenever possible daily assisted at Mass, and recited the little office of the Blessed Virgin; he delighted in visiting the churches and hospitals, and in giving alms to the poor.

On his return from the journey, Mark, in 1611, went to Freiburg to take the doctorate in canon and civil law. After receiving his degree, he began to practice as a lawyer at Colmar, in Alsace. His ability and honesty gained for him the confidence of all, while his charity obtained for him the surname of counselor and advocate of the poor. But at the very time when the prospects of a brilliant future were brightest, the acts of injustice committed by several of his colleagues in order to protract lawsuits for gain, and their attempt to win him over to their mode of acting, determined him to give up his profession and to dedicate himself to the service of the Church. After being ordained priest in 1611, he, in the same year, entered the Order of Saint Francis of the Capuchin Reform, at Freiburg. The guardian clothing him with the holy habit, gave him the name of Fidelis, or Faithful, alluding to the words of Holy Scripture: “Be thou faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life.” (Apocalypse 2:10) These words proved to be a prophecy in the case of the new religious.

Fidelis at once strove to progress on the way of perfection by the exercise of every religious virtue. The devil assailed him in divers ways to induce him to forsake his new mode of life, but the Saint overcame all temptations by the practice of humility, mortification, and implicit obedience to his superiors and his confessor. These vexations were only a new incitement to strive for a higher degree of perfection, and thus Fidelis soon became the model of his brethren. His life was one of almost continuous prayer. Imitating the Seraphic Father Saint Francis, he was most exact in observing the vow of poverty, always choosing for himself what was least valuable and convenient. He delighted in humiliations and in performing the most menial and painful labors, even as superior, and strictly mortified his flesh to keep it in subjection to the Spirit.

When he had taken the vows, and had finished his theological studies, the Saint was commissioned to preach and to hear confessions. In the performance of his difficult duties, he gave proof of so deep a religious spirit and so enlightened a prudence, that his superiors appointed him guardian of the convent at Rheinfelden, and afterwards at Freiburg and Feldkirch. It would be difficult to describe the zeal and tender solicitude with which he fulfilled the duties of his responsible position, and endeavored to lead his subjects on the way of perfection by the perfect observance of the Rule.

At the same time, Fidelis labored most zealously for the salvation of souls. No labor, no sacrifice was too great for him when there was question of consoling the afflicted, of instructing the ignorant, of visiting and assisting the sick and dying, and of leading back sinners to God. He exerted himself with untiring zeal to remove abuses among the faithful, to strengthen the faith of the wavering, and to bring back to the true fold the numerous Calvinists in the surrounding territory.

In 1621, Fidelis with several of his brethren was called to labor in the canton of the Grisons, where most of the people were fanatic adherents of Calvinism, The Saint, rejoicing at the prospect of suffering and of dying for Christ, for which grace he had prayed since he entered the Order, set out at once for his new field of labor. Disregarding the opposition, insults, and even threats of the heretics, he began his work with a truly apostolic fervor; and the fruits of his prayers, mortifications, and zealous preaching soon became evident. Not only were the weak among the faithful strengthened, the lukewarm and careless brought to a more fervent practice of their religion, but also many Calvinists were led back to the allegiance of the Church. The wonderful effects of the Saint’s zeal, who in the beginning of 1622 was appointed superior of the missions among the Grisons by the newly established Congregation of the Propaganda, aroused the fury of the heretics, and they resolved to put an end to his apostolic labors. Though aware of their evil designs, Fidelis did not desist from preaching the word of God. Feeling that his end was near, he prepared himself for the last struggle by passing many hours, even whole nights, before the Blessed Sacrament. After making a general confession to one of his brethren, he, on April 22, 1622, went to the town of Sevis, where he preached with more than ordinary fervor, exhorting the people to constancy in the faith. The sermon was interrupted by a tumult both within and without the church, during which a number of Austrian soldiers who guarded the doors of the church were killed. Fidelis himself was wounded, and accepted the offer of a Calvinist to lead him to a place of safety. Outside the church, he was surrounded by a band of armed heretics led by their preachers. They began to insult and revile him, and called upon him to embrace the teachings of Calvin. The Saint courageously answered, “I was sent to you to confute, not to embrace your heresy.” Thereupon, one of the band struck him down with his sword. Fidelis rose again on his knees, and prayed, “Pardon them, Lord; blinded by passion, they know not what they do.” The fanatic heretics then fell upon him with their swords and maces, and put him to death. Thus did Fidelis remain faithful unto death, and obtain the long-desired palm of martyrdom.

The body of the Saint was brought to Feldkirch and buried in the church of the Capuchins. His head and left arm, which were found separated from the trunk, were placed in a precious case and translated to the cathedral of Coire. In consequence of the numerous miracles wrought at his tomb, Fidelis was beatified by Pope Benedict XIII, in 1729, and canonized by Pope Benedict XIV, in 1745.

Reflection

Happy the Christian who, like Saint Fidelis, faithfully performs his duties towards God in all circumstances of life! We see the Saint serve God with equal fidelity at home, at the university, amid the distractions of a long journey, in the courts of law, and as a religious and missionary. Insults, persecution, and the fear of death could not make him neglect his duties. And God has rewarded him with the “crown of life.” Have we always proved faithful in the performance of our duties? And yet there are so many reasons that ought to make the service of God easy and agreeable to us. We ought, therefore, to beg God daily for a strong and lively faith, and a tender love. Faith will make us understand the importance of the end of our creation—the salvation of our immortal soul; and love will strengthen us in all difficulties and make us ready to suffer all rather than offend our Lord and God.

MLA Citation

Father Silas Barth, O.F.M. Franciscan Herald, April 1913. CatholicSaints.Info. 5 October 2022. Web. 20 April 2023. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen-martyr-of-the-first-order/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen-martyr-of-the-first-order/

Pfarrkirche St. Johann in Sigmaringen, Schrein


Catholic Heroes . . . St. Fidelis Of Sigmaringen

May 4, 2021

By DEB PIROCH

There aren’t too many saints that started off in life as lawyers, and ended up as martyrs. St. Thomas More comes to mind. But the saint today, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Germany (1577-1622)? After getting his doctorate in law at Freiburg, he found he was seeking to help the poorest clients, refused to detract from the characters of the opposition, used no invective, and indeed, soon became so disillusioned with law because of all the evils associated with it, that he left to embrace life as a Capuchin. But one mustn’t get ahead of his story.

Born in 1577 to noble parents Johannes and Genovefa, his given name was either Markus Rey or Markus Roy, and his father was the burgomaster of his home city, Sigmaringen. He was the fifth of six children, and one brother would also enter the Capuchin order. After studying law and philosophy, he traveled, serving as a tutor and mentor to three young men in Europe. Over these six years, he attended Mass frequently and spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament whenever possible. He also visited the sick and gave to the poor. Prior to this position, when yet a student, he was already sacrificing, wearing a hair shirt underneath his own and forgoing wine.

And then, returning to embark on law, he discovered his call to the religious life. Asked to become a priest first and to test his vocation with the Capuchins, he was ordained in Fribourg, Switzerland (not to be confused with the Freiburg, Germany, above) on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, founder, October 4, 1614. On entering the novitiate, he was given the name of “Fidelis,” as in “faithful.”

After a year of formation and another four studying theology, he was appointed guardian of a community at Rheinfelden, then Freiburg, then Feldkirch (present-day Austria). His assignment at Feldkirch, incidentally, included ministering to the spiritual needs of soldiers, and not for the first time. As an epidemic swept through, Fidelis endeavored to give relief to the sick and suffering.

By now Europe, and certainly Germany and Switzerland, was in the powerful grip of the Reformation. Fidelis was appointed in 1621 to undertake a mission to the Grison area of Switzerland, the eastern canton which abuts Austria. Around this time, the Vatican also made one of its departments into a full-fledged entity of its own, the Propagation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The institution which had begun in 1572 was renamed and expanded in 1622. And Fidelis would eventually become its first martyr.

When reading the history of the time, and hearing of the dissenting Protestants Calvin and Zwingli, we are told they were “reformers,” when in fact they were not. Erasmus was for true reform….and never did he leave the Church. Zwingli was guilty of abuses himself, having been a parish priest who lived unchastely. What did he go on to attack? First, the Mass itself, including transubstantiation (as did Calvin). He was guilty first of fornication, later of marrying without permission. He did away with Confession and all the sacraments, except Baptism and the Eucharist (which he also did away with, in essence, by eliminating the Mass). What is especially saddening is that when he was found wounded on the battlefield where he would perish, he was asked by the enemy Catholics if he wished Last Rites. He refused, and was promptly killed.

Calvin likewise was no reformer. He also rejected many of the sacraments, the Mass, celibacy, and, moreover, embraced the concept of predestination, that one is saved or not by faith alone. He also believed Christ died not for all mankind, but only those whom He would save. How pitiful.

So, when Fidelis set out to preach to the heretics, he brought on his journey a Bible, crucifix, breviary, and his Capuchin rule. No one needed to tell him that he had tremendous strength from God in the Mass, prayer, discipline, and his daily faithful witness to the true priesthood. He also determined to subsist by divine Providence — that is relying solely on God for his sustenance. And yet, that is not all: For some time, he had prayed, prayed that he should never fall into mortal sin, and that he might be a martyr for God.

Fidelis was successful. With the conviction of his faith, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost, he preached from the street to the pulpit, to Protestant enclaves. Just as the work was dangerous, so, too was it making inroads. Bravely facing hostility, he converted back many to Catholicism after hearing his words. The bishop of Coire, Switzerland, sent a glowing report back to the Congregation, over Epiphany, 1622.

But this was the last year Fidelis would spend on Earth.

On April 24, he had been to Confession, said Mass, and was suddenly granted a vision. Transported to ecstasy for some time, he afterward foretold his death, and began signing or referring to himself as: “Brother Fidelis, who will shortly be the food of worms”! He seemed in good spirits. But tensions had long ran high. Once he had even been fired at — and missed — by an unhappy member in the congregation.

Off next to another town, Fidelis was meet by a group of angry Calvinists accompanied by a minister. These men demanded he give up his faith. He responded, “I was sent to rebuke you, not to embrace your heresy. The Catholic religion is the faith of the ages, I fear not death.”

They struck him down. After hitting his head with the butt of a sword, they stabbed his body multiple times. As he was dying, he called out to God, crying: “Pardon my enemies, O Lord: blinded by passion they know not what they do. Lord Jesus, have pity on me. Mary, Mother of Jesus, assist me.” The cruel men afterward cut off his leg, in retribution for all his travels into Protestant territory. He was 44. The Protestant minister who witnessed the murder was converted by the priest’s witness.

Fidelis was buried the following day, the feast of his namesake, St. Mark. His head was taken to his last parish, in Feldkirch, and the rest of his remains interred in the cathedral crypt at Chur, Switzerland.

Only six months later, his body was removed from where it had been interred. It remained incorrupt. His leg and arm were removed and placed in reliquaries to stay, and the remainder of the saint went to Weltkirchen, home of his Capuchin order. In less than a century the Vatican was able to choose among three hundred plus miracles for his 1729 beatification, then twenty years later, his canonization. This was quite rapid, given that many canonizations take centuries.

Like St. Thomas More, St. Fidelis is a patron saint of lawyers. Both men are shown in art carrying a palm leaf, the symbol of martyrdom. St. Fidelis also carries a sword with the butt or hilt of the sword prominently shown, which was used to kill him. And both men held fast to God and charity — in speaking truth — for a lifetime.

“For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

SOURCE : https://thewandererpress.com/saints/catholic-heroes-st-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/

Sigmaringen, Statue am Fidelishaus


Apr 24 – St Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622)

24 April, 2012

Summary: The image (below) shows St Fidelis being confronted by Calvinists offering him safety if he would join their Church. His reply was: “I am sent to root out heresy, not to embrace it. The Catholic religion is the faith of all ages, I do not fear death.”

Born Mark Rey, he was a well-educated young man who developed a burning zeal to live and preach the true gospel. He was martyred as he tried to win back Calvinists and Zwinglians to the Catholic faith in Switzerland.

Patrick Duffy writes his story.

Early life

 Born in Sigmaringen, a town in the Danube Valley, in the State of Baden-Wuttenberg in south west Germany, his baptismal name was Mark and his father, Johannes Roy or Rey, was the burgomeister, or local mayor. It is strange that none of his biographers mention his mother. Mark studied law and philosophy at Freiburg-in-Breisgau (Germany) and subsequently taught philosophy there.

Travels

From 1604 to 1610 Mark became tutor to three young Swabian men who were on their travels in Italy and France. During these travels, he visited churches and hospitals, cared for the poor and would frequently attend Mass. One of these companions afterwards testified that he often practised serious asceticism during the journey. On their return, Mark took his doctorate in canon and civil law in Freiburg 1611, and for a while practised as an lawyer at Colmar in Alsace.

Joined the Capuchins

However, he soon returned to Freiburg to join the Capuchin Franciscan Order and took the name Fidelis, meaning “faithful”. During his novitiate, he wrote a book recording the spiritual exercises he did and his own spiritual development. It was subsequently published in many languages.

Theology Studies

After the novitiate, Fidelis went to Constance to complete theology studies under Polish Capuchin Father John-Baptist who had a reputation for holiness and learning. He was ordained priest in 1612.

His Apostolate

From 1618 Fidelis became guardian of three houses in succession – Rheinfelden, Freiburg and Feldkirch – (1618-22) and was well-known as a preacher and for his care of the sick.

Mission in the Grisons Area of Switzerland

In 1622 Rome set up the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to help spread the gospel in the newly discovered countries, and also to win back people in the Christian areas of Europe influenced by Protestantism. The Congregation appointed Fidelis as superior of a mission in the Grisons area of Switzerland around Chur where Calvinists and Zwinglians had acquired great influence. He campaigned strongly, especially by preaching, not only in the churches but also often even in the public streets. He wrote pamphlets and held conferences with the local magistrates and chief townsmen, often far into the night.

Opposition and Confrontation

When as a result of Fidelis’s preaching one influential leader returned to the Catholic Church, the opposition stiffened to him. As he travelled through the area of north-east Switzerland, Fidelis had a premonition that he might meet a martyr’s death. In fact, he was quite prepared for this and seems to have even desired it. On 24th April, after making his confession and celebrating Mass at Grusch, he set out for the Seewis-im-Prättigau region, near the border with Austria. His companions remarked that he was especially cheerful that day along the way. Stopping at a church to preach, a confrontation arose and continued outside the church. A serious scuffle with an armed group broke out. Some of the confronting crowd offered to save his life if he would join the Calvinists. Fidelis replied: “I am sent to root out heresy, not to embrace it. The Catholic religion is the faith of all ages, I do not fear death.“

Death and Veneration

Fidelis was beaten, struck down and died – the first martyr of the Congregation for Propagation of the Faith. His courage in facing death was a confirmation of all the hard choices he had been making during his life. His body was taken to Feldkirch and buried in the church of his order there, but his head and left arm were brought to the cathedral at Chur, where they remain today. He was beatified in 1729, and canonised in 1745.

SOURCE : https://www.catholicireland.net/saintoftheday/st-fidelis-of-sigmaringen-1577-1622-capuchin-martyr/

Voir aussi : https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-fidelis-of-sigmaringen-448

Peinture murale, église Saint Venance, Pfärrenbach, Allemagne

Filialkirche St. Venantius, Pfärrenbach, Gemeinde Horgenzell. Wandmalerei im Kirchenschiff: Hl. Fidelis von Sigmaringen


San Fedele da Sigmaringen Sacerdote e martire

24 aprile

- Memoria Facoltativa

Sigmaringen, Germania, 1577/8 - Seewis, Svizzera, 24 aprile 1622

Marco Reyd - il futuro cappuccino fra Fedele - nato a Sigmaringen, in Germania, nel 1578, si era laureato in filosofia e in diritto all'università di Friburgo in Svizzera, e aveva intrapreso la carriera forense a Colmar in Alsazia. Accolse con entusiasmo l'invito del conte di Stotzingen, che gli affidava i figli e un gruppo di giovani perché li avviasse agli studi. Soggiornando per ben sei anni nelle diverse città dell'Italia, della Spagna e della Francia, impartì ai giovani e nobili allievi ammaestramenti che lo fecero ribattezzare col nome di "filosofo cristiano". Poi all'età di 34 anni, abbandonò ogni cosa e tornò a Friburgo, stavolta al convento dei cappuccini. Fu guardiano al convento di Weltkirchen. Dalla Congregazione di Propaganda Fide ebbe l'incarico di recarsi poi nella Rezia, in piena crisi protestante. Le conversioni furono numerose, ma attorno al santo predicatore si creò un'ondata di ostilità. Nel 1622, a Séwis, durante la predica, si udì qualche sparo. Fra Fedele portò ugualmente a termine la predica e poi si riavviò verso casa. All'improvviso gli si fecero attorno una ventina di soldati. Gli intimarono di rinnegare quanto aveva predicato poco prima e, al suo rifiuto, lo uccisero con le spade. (Avvenire)

Etimologia: Fedele = fidato, devoto, dal latino

Emblema: Palma

Martirologio Romano: San Fedele da Sigmaringen, sacerdote e martire, che fu dapprima avvocato e, entrato poi tra i Frati Minori Cappuccini, condusse un’austera vita di veglie e di preghiera. Assiduo nella predicazione della parola di Dio, fu mandato nei territori dell’odierna Svizzera per consolidarvi la retta dottrina e per la sua fede cattolica incontrò la morte a Seewis per mano di alcuni eretici.

Al fonte battesimale, nel 1578, lo chiamano Mark. Appartiene ad una famiglia molto in vista di Sigmaringen in Germania, i Reyd o Roy, e suo padre, borgomastro della città, riconoscendo in lui il più dotato dei suoi figli, lo fa studiare volentieri.

Interrompe gli studi nel 1604, perché il conte di Statzingen gli affida alcuni giovani nobili (tra cui i suoi figli), perchè li educhi e li istruisca e con questo gruppetto inaugura un’originale scuola itinerante, girando l’Italia, la Spagna e la Francia.

Rientrato in patria sei anni dopo, riprende gli studi e in un anno si laurea in giurisprudenza. Inizia a fare l’avvocato, guadagnandosi ben presto il titolo di “avvocato dei poveri”, perché ha preso l’abitudine di difendere gratuitamente i diseredati per far rispettare i loro diritti.

Proprio quando la sua popolarità è al culmine e la sua carriera va a gonfie vele, stupisce tutti chiedendo, a trentaquattro anni, di essere ordinato sacerdote. Non solo: dopo l’ordinazione vuole entrare a Friburgo tra i Cappuccini, che godevano fama di Ordine severo in cui riviveva il primitivo spirito francescano. Qui gli assegnano il nuovo nome di Fedele. I Superiori non tardano ad accorgersi delle sue qualità: lo mandano per quattro anni a studiare teologia e lo vogliono Guardiano (superiore) di vari conventi.

Padre Fedele eccelle, però, in modo particolare nella predicazione, che ottiene frutti prodigiosi di conversioni e di riappacificazioni in un periodo particolarmente burrascoso sia per la vita civile che religiosa della Svizzera. La sua predicazione si caratterizza per discorsi semplici, incisivi e convincenti; si fa comprendere da letterati e illetterati, dagli studiosi e dai contadini; conquista perché accompagnata da un inconfondibile stile di santità di vita.

In quegli anni la Svizzera vive il contrasto tra cattolici e calvinisti, che si trasforma in lotta politica contro l’imperatore d’Austria che sostiene i cattolici. Padre Fedele cerca di rasserenare l’ambiente ma non può fare a meno di combattere l’eresia e di invitare al ritorno alla fede dei padri; i calvinisti, da parte loro, lo sentono come il loro più acerrimo nemico, soprattutto da quando dopo la sua predicazione il conte di Salis si è convertito al cattolicesimo e il governatore dei Grigioni ha promulgato un editto a favore dei cattolici.

Padre Fedele sa di avere i giorni contati, lo scrive e ne parla apertamente, ma non si sogna di cambiare il suo stile di vita o di ammorbidire la sua predicazione: fedele fino alla fine come il nome, e soprattutto la sua fede, gli impone.

Così il 24 aprile 1622 accetta l’invito dei calvinisti di andare a predicare a Seewis, sapendo i rischi cui va incontro: una predica quasi ispirata, sconvolgente e incisiva, interrotta solo da qualche tafferuglio, in chiesa e sul sagrato. Uscito di chiesa per sedare il tumulto, viene circondato da venticinque uomini armati, che lo colpiscono e lo finiscono lì, davanti alla chiesa, mentre egli confessa apertamente la sua fede e li invita alla conversione.

Gli riservano una fine atroce, sperando di tappargli definitivamente la bocca, ma il suo martirio per l’unità dei cattolici ottiene una più veloce rappacificazione dei contendenti e il ritorno alla fede di numerosi eretici.

Padre Fedele da Sigmaringen è stato beatificato il 24 marzo 1729 da papa Benedetto XIII (per il quale è in corso la causa di beatificazione e canonizzazione), diventando il primo martire cappuccino. La sua memoria liturgica è stata fissata al giorno anniversario del suo martirio. È poi stato canonizzato da papa Benedetto XIV il 29 giugno 1746.

Autore: Gianpiero Pettiti

Lo chiamavano "l'avvocato dei poveri" perché difendeva gratuitamente coloro che non avevano denaro a sufficienza per pagarsi un avvocato. Marco Reyd - il futuro cappuccino fra Fedele - nato a Sigmaringen, in Germania, nel 1578, si era laureato brillantemente in filosofia e in diritto all'università di Friburgo in Svizzera, e aveva intrapreso la carriera forense a Colmar in Alsazia. Più portato ai severi studi filosofici che alle arringhe in tribunale, Marco Reyd accolse con entusiasmo l'invito del conte di Stotzingen, che gli affidava i figli e un gruppo di giovani promettenti perché li avviasse agli studi e alla conoscenza dei problemi del mondo contemporaneo.

Soggiornando per ben sei anni nelle diverse città dell'Italia, della Spagna e della Francia, impartì ai giovani e nobili allievi anche utili ammaestramenti che lo fecero ribattezzare col nome di "filosofo cristiano". Poi all'età di 34 anni, abbandonò ogni cosa e tornò a Friburgo, stavolta al convento dei cappuccini e indossò l'umile saio di S. Francesco. Preposto per la sua saggezza alla guida di vari conventi, mentre copriva l'incarico di guardiano al convento di Weltkirchen gli abitanti della regione ebbero modo di ammirare la sua straordinaria carità e coraggio nell'assistenza ai colpiti dalla peste.

Dalla Congregazione di Propaganda Fide ebbe l'incarico di recarsi nella Rezia, in piena crisi protestante. Le conversioni furono numerose, ma l'intolleranza di molti finì per creare attorno al santo predicatore una vera ondata di ostilità, soprattutto da parte dei contadini calvinisti del cantone svizzero dei Grigioni, scesi in guerra contro l'imperatore d'Austria. Più che scontata quindi l'accusa mossa a fra Fedele d'essere un agente al servizio dell'imperatore cattolico.

Il santo frate continuava impavido la sua missione, recandosi di città in città a tenere corsi di predicazione. "Se mi uccidono - disse ai confratelli, partendo per Séwis - accetterò con gioia la morte per amore di Nostro Signore. La riterrò una grande grazia". Era poco meno d'una profezia. A Séwis, durante la predica, si udì qualche sparo. Fra Fedele portò ugualmente a termine la predica e poi si riavviò verso casa. All'improvviso gli si fecero attorno una ventina di soldati, capeggiati da un ministro, che in seguito si sarebbe convertito. Gli intimarono di rinnegare quanto aveva predicato poco prima. "Non posso, è la fede dei vostri avi. Darei volentieri la mia vita perché voi tornaste a questa fede". Colpito pesantemente al capo, ebbe appena il tempo di pronunciare parole di perdono, prima di essere abbattuto a colpi di spada. Era il 24 aprile 1622. Fu canonizzato nel 1746 da Benedetto XIV.

Autore: Piero Bargellini

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/26900


Fideliskapelle im Gargellental nördlich von Gargellen (Montafon)

Fideliskapelle im Gargellental nördlich von Gargellen (Montafon)


Fideliskapelle im Gargellental nördlich von Gargellen (Montafon)


Fideliskapelle (Gargellen) an der Talstraße von St.Gallenkirch nach Gargellen

San Fedele da Sigmaringen

24 APRILE: SAN FEDELE DA SIGMARINGEN

Marco Roy nasce nel 1578 a Sigmaringen, sul Danubio, nel Principato di Hohenzollern in Germania. È il quinto dei sei figli di Genoveffa Rosenberger e di Giovanni Roy, un ricco albergatore dell'Adler, più tardi membro del governo cittadino e borgomastro.

«O Signore, trasformami tutto in Te! Intendo in special modo supplicarti di rendermi totalmente conforme alla tua santissima Umanità in tutte le tue virtú, tribolazioni, pene e tormenti, e soprattutto nella tua abiezione, umiltà e annientamento.»

Dopo aver compiuto i primi studi nella città natale, nel 1601 Marco si laurea in filosofia nel collegio dei gesuiti di Friburgo in Brisgovia. Tra il 1601 e il 1604 frequenta i corsi di giurisprudenza che interrompe, dal 1604 al 1610, per accompagnare un gruppo di studenti universitari, di famiglie nobili, in un viaggio di formazione lungo la Spagna, la Francia e l'Italia. Tornato a Friburgo, nel 1611 si laurea brillantemente in diritto canonico e civile, ma esercitò l'avvocatura per pochissimo tempo, quello necessario per essere soprannominato "l'avvocato dei poveri" perché difendeva gratuitamente coloro che non avevano denaro a sufficienza per pagarsi un avvocato.

Nel settembre del 1612, a 34 anni, venne ordinato sacerdote e il 4 ottobre dello stesso anno è accolto nel noviziato di Friburgo con il nome di fra Fedele. Dopo l'anno di noviziato fra Fedele iniziò a Costanza i quattro anni di teologia che termina nel 1618 a Frauenfeld. In quello stesso anno fu nominato guardiano del convento di Rheinfelden e poi, per la saggezza del suo governo, fu confermato superiore anche nei conventi di Feldkirch (1619-1620), Freiburg (1620-1621) e di nuovo Feldkirch (1621-1622). Mentre ricopriva, per la seconda volta, l'incarico di guardiano del convento di Feldkirch si prodigò nell'assistenza dei soldati colpiti dalla peste.

Creata da Propaganda Fide la Missione della Rezia, nel 1622 padre Fedele è inviato come missionario apostolico nel distretto di Prättigau (Pretigovia), dove la popolazione era in buona parte passata alla fede zwingliana.

Nonostante la tensione provocata dall'occupazione militare della regione da parte dell'arciduca Leopoldo V d'Austria, padre Fedele continuava la sua predicazione controriformista. Vi furono numerose conversioni, ma prevalse l'intolleranza dei contadini calvinisti del cantone svizzero dei Grigioni, scesi in guerra contro l'imperatore d'Austria, che lo accusavano di essere un agente al servizio dell'imperatore cattolico. Il 24 aprile del 1622, a Séwis, durante la predica domenicale, si udì qualche sparo. Padre Fedele terminò di celebrare la Messa e poi si riavviò verso casa. All'improvviso lo circondarono una ventina di soldati. Gli intimarono di rinnegare quanto aveva predicato poco prima e, al suo rifiuto, lo uccisero.

Aveva appena 44 anni d'età e solo dieci di professione religiosa e di ministero sacerdotale (1612-1622), ma vissuti infaticabilmente al servizio dell'ortodossia della fede cattolica. È il protomartire di Propaganda Fide.

Fu beatificato da Benedetto XIII il 24 marzo 1729 e canonizzato da Benedetto XIV il 29 giugno del 1746. Il 16 febbraio del 1771 la memoria liturgica di San Fedele da Sigmaringen fu estesa alla Chiesa universale. È patrono della regione di Hohenzollern e dei giuristi.

SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20211112144409/http://www.fraticappucciniassisi.it/storia/santi/san-fedele-da-sigmaringen.html

Former minor seminar at the monastery St. Fidelis of the Order of Friars Minor Capuch at Regensburg

Früheres Knabenseminar am Kapuzinerkloster St. Fidelis in Regensburg

St. Fidelis, church of the former abbey of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

St. Fidelis, Kirche des früheren Kapuzinerklosters in Regensburg


FEDELE da Sigmaringen, Santo

Nacque nel 1577 in Sigmaringen (Svevia) dalla famiglia Roy, originaria di Anversa (Belgio). Laureatosi in filosofia e diritto nell'università di Friburgo in Brisgovia, fu nominato nel 1611 giudice al tribunale di Ensisheim in Alsazia. Ordinato sacerdote e fattosi cappuccino il 4 ottobre 1612, fino dal 1617 acquistò fama di valente oratore con le sue predicazioni nel cantone d'Uri, nel Vorarlberg e nell'Alsazia. Primo superiore della missione cappuccina eretta nei Grigioni (1621), si distinse nella controversia religiosa con i protestanti ed ottenne conversioni notevoli, come quella del conte Rodolfo de Salis. Morì il 24 aprile 1622, ucciso dai riformati di Seewis (cantone dei Grigioni). Protomartire della congregazione di Propaganda Fide, fu canonizzato da Benedetto XIV il 29 giugno 1746.

Bibl.: G. da Cannobio, Vita di S. F. da S., Milano 1749; C. da Brescia, Istoria delle missioni dei cappuccini nella Rezia, Trento 1702; F. della Scala, Der hl. F. von S., Magonza 1896; J. G. Mayer, Geschichte des Bistums Chur, Stans 1911; L. da Lavertezzo, S. F. da S., Milano 1922; Analecta Ord. Min. Cap., XXXVIII, 1922.

SOURCE : https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/fedele-da-sigmaringen-santo_%28Enciclopedia-Italiana%29/

Andreas Meinrad von Au  (1712–1792), hl. Fidelis von Sigmaringen, Meßkirch, Pfarrkirche St. Martin, (nach bildindex.de) oder hl. Bernhard von Clairvaux (nach Kirchenführer von Otto Beck)


Den hellige Fidelis av Sigmaringen (1578-1622)

Minnedag: 24. april

Skytshelgen for Hohenzollern, Vorarlberg og Freiburg im Breisgau; for bispedømmet Feldkirch; for kapusinere og jurister; for troens utbredelse; i rettferdighetsspørsmål

Den hellige Fidelis ble født som Markus Roy i oktober 1578 i Sigmaringen i Schwaben i Sør-Tyskland. Han kom fra en middelklassefamilie og på farssiden var han av flamsk avstamming. Faren Johann Roy var borgermester i Sigmaringen. Blant fem søsken var Markus den mest begavede, og han ble derfor sendt for å studere på universitetet i Freiburg im Breisgau. Der ble han doktor i filosofi i 1603 og i sivil- og kirkerett i 1611.

Under studiene var Markus mellom 1604 og 1610 lærer for Wilhelm von Stotzingen, og han fulgte ham og to andre unge schwabiske adelsmenn på deres reiser for å fullføre sine studier ved universiteter i de viktigste byene i Tyskland, Frankrike, Spania og Italia. Han lærte seg fransk og italiensk flytende. Han vant de unge adelsmennenes aktelse for sitt eksempel på fromhet og omsorg for de fattige, som han noen ganger bokstavelig talt ga sine egne klær til. Under Fidelis' helligkåringsprosess avla Wilhelm von Stotzingen vitnesbyrd om de strenge botsøvelsene hans lærer praktiserte på disse reisene. Allerede tidlig hadde han avlagt et livslangt løfte om avholdenhet fra alkohol, etter å ha blitt frastøtt av det heslige synet av en full mann. Han var en fremragende turner og fekter.

Etter å ha tatt de juridiske doktorgradene slo Markus seg i 1611 ned som advokat i Ensisheim i Øvre Alsace. Til tross for sine høye kvalifikasjoner var hans praksis for dem som knapt kunne betale ham, og han ble kjent som «de fattiges advokat». Men hans religiøse overbevisning og skuffelse over misforholdene og korrupsjonen i rettsvesenet gjorde at han allerede etter et år forlot jusen og ville gå inn hos kapusinerne, de reformerte fransiskanerne (Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum – OFMCap), hvor hans bror Georg allerede var. Kapusinerne var utgått fra de strenge fransiskanerne i 1529. Fordi Markus allerede i studietiden hadde lest litt teologi, ble han presteviet i 1612. Straks etter trådte han inn i ordenen i Freiburg. Han ga alt han eide til de fattige og til trengende seminarister.

Som novise skrev han boken Exercitia spiritualia, «Åndelige øvelser», for seg selv, men den er ofte utgitt og oversatt. Senere utgaver hadde tittelen Exercitia Seraphicae Devotionis, «Øvelser i engleaktig fromhet». Boken er en samling bønner, meditasjonsmetoder og åndelige leveregler tatt fra hans lesning. Ett år etter at han trådte inn avla han løftene og fikk ordensnavnet Fidelis, og deretter var han i tråd med ordenens tradisjoner kjent som Fidelis av Sigmaringen. Ved løfteavleggelsen fikk han et bibelord som rettesnor: «Vær tro (fidelis) til døden, så skal jeg gi deg Livets seierskrans». (Åp 2,10)

Mellom 1614 og 1618 fullførte han kapusinernes foreskrevne teologistudier i Konstanz og i Frauenfeld. Deretter fikk han som arbeidsfelt folkesjelesorgen i den sveitsisk/schwabiske kirkeprovinsen, hvor han forkynte og hørte skriftemål. Han viet seg til å preke og til tjeneste for de østerrikske troppene, men han ble særlig berømt for sin omsorg for syke, som han pleide under en stor epidemi. I 1618 ble han guardian (superior) for ordenshuset i Rheinfelden, deretter var han guardian i Fribourg i Sveits og i 1621 kom han som guardian til Feldkirch i Vorarlberg, den vestligste delen av Østerrike. Der omvendte han et stort antall protestanter gjennom sine utsøkte prekener. Han skrev pamfletter mot kalvinismen og zwinglianismen, men han ville ikke sette navnet sitt under disse skriftene. De er dessverre alle gått tapt.

Dette var en tid full av spenninger. I 1618 brøt Trettiårskrigen ut, både katolikker og protestanter kjempet innbitt for sin lære, og hatet mellom konfesjonene vokste til fanatisme. Det var slett ikke ufarlig å gå på prekestolen og forkynne den katolske lære, men krevde stort mot. I 1614 hadde biskopen av Chur anmodet kapusinerne om å sende misjonærer for å preke blant zwinglianerne i Grisons (Graubünden) i det østlige Sveits for å føre dem tilbake til den katolske kirke, etter at de hadde gått over til protestantismen i 1608, vesentlig på grunn av prestenes uvitenhet og mangel på nidkjærhet. Men først i 1621 kunne ordensgeneralen sende de første brødrene dit under ledelse av Ignatius av Bergamo.

Senere samme år sendte han Fidelis sammen med åtte andre kapusinere til Grisons. I 1622 utnevnte den nylig grunnlagte Propagandakongregasjonen Fidelis offisielt til leder for misjonen, men han fortsatte som guardian i Feldkirch. Han må ha ant at han ikke ville vende tilbake, for fra da av undertegnet han sine brev med p. Fidelis, propediem esca vermium, «om kort tid mat for markene». Han tok med seg bare sitt krusifiks, Bibelen, breviaret og regelboken for ordenen, og stolte på at det guddommelige forsyn ville sørge for hans underhold.

I begynnelsen hadde de betydelig suksess, og flere sveitsiske ledere ble omvendt. Den ledende mannen i Mayenfeld, Rudolph de Salis, ble omvendt, og hans konversjon ble fulgt av mange. Da det ble utgitt et edikt mot den protestantiske sekten i denne kantonen i Sveits hvor de østerrikske Habsburgerne hadde makten, fremprovoserte det en voldelig reaksjon i befolkningen. Fidelis ble bedt om å slutte seg til den zwinglianske sekten, men svarte: «Jeg er kommet for å bekjempe kjetteri, ikke omfavne det». Men zwinglianerne visste å hisse opp folkets hat mot den katolske predikanten, og de spredte rykter om at han var motstander av deres nasjonale aspirasjoner om uavhengighet og agent for den østerrikske keiseren. Fidelis ble advart, og tilbrakte flere netter i bønn foran sakramentet eller et krusifiks. I påsken vendte han tilbake til Feldkirch for å delta på et kapittel og avgjøre noen saker i kommuniteten.

Da han kom tilbake til Grisons ble han overalt møtt med ropet: «Død over kapusinerne!» Den 24. april 1622 forkynte Fidelis i Grüsch. Der skriftet han før han feiret messe og prekte. Derfra fortsatte han til Seewies nord for Chur. I kirken der var han midt i en preken om «En Gud, en tro, en dåp» da opphissede bønder avfyrte et skudd mot ham. Men kulen bommet og boret seg inn i veggen. Det ble store tumulter, og de østerrikske troppene i nærheten ble satt inn. Flere av soldatene ble drept. En protestant tilbød seg å gi Fidelis ly, men han sa at hans liv var i Guds hender. Han prøvde å komme seg tilbake til Grüsch, men på veien ble han angrepet av en gjeng på rundt tyve bevæpnede menn, som forlangte at han skulle avsverge den katolske tro. Han svarte: «Jeg kom her for å opplyse dere, ikke for å akseptere deres feil». Da ble han slått i hjel med sverd og høygafler. Hans siste ord var en bønn om deres omvendelse.

Hans legeme ble brakt tilbake til Feldkirch og gravlagt i kapusinerkirken der, bortsett fra hans hode og venstre arm, som er gravlagt i krypten i domkirken i Chur. Andre relikvier befinner seg i Fideliskirken i Stuttgart. Fidelis er kapusinernes første martyr, og også Congregatio de Propaganda Fide æret ham som sin protomartyr i 1771, da hans minnedag ble utvidet til Universalkirken. Omvendelsen av en zwingliansk prest som var til stede, var en av de første fruktene av martyrens blod.

Han ble saligkåret den 24. mars 1729 (dokumentet (Breve) var datert den 12. mars) av pave Benedikt XIII (1724-30) og helligkåret den 29. juni 1746 av pave Benedikt XIV (1740-58). Hans minnedag er 24. april. Han fremstilles som kapusinermunk med palme, kølle og sverd. Ofte avbildes han sammen med den hellige Josef av Leonissa. På bilder hender det også at han tramper på et skilt med ordet «kjetteri» mens en engel bærer martyrpalmen. På bilder av ham kan man også se Morgenstjernen. Det er interessant at Bollandistene på 1600-tallet og tidlig på 1700-tallet ikke tok ham med i sine Acta Sanctorum fordi de ikke kunne finne bevis på noen definitiv kult.

Kilder: Attwater (dk), Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Bentley, Lodi, Butler, Butler (IV), Benedictines, Bunson, Engelhart, Schnitzler, Schauber/Schindler, Melchers, Dammer/Adam, Index99, KIR, CE, CSO, Patron Saints SQPN, Infocatho, Bautz, Heiligenlexikon, viq/tlieu, capuchinfriars.org.au - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden - Opprettet: 2000-05-07 23:50 - Sist oppdatert: 2005-12-22 18:13

SOURCE : http://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/fidelis

Basilica of St. Fidelis, the Cathedral of the Plains, is a Romanesque-style Roman Catholic parish church in Victoria, Kansas, United States.

Basilica of St. Fidelis, the Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, Kansas, United States.


Basilica of St. Fidelis, the Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, Kansas, United States.


Band II (1990)Spalte 30-31 Autor: Friedrich Wilhelm Bautz

FIDELIS, Gegenreformator, Heiliger, * 1577 in Sigmaringen als Sohn des Schultheißen Johann Roy, † 24.4. 1622 in Seewis (Prätigau). - Markus Roy studierte bis 1603 in Freiburg (Breisgau) die Rechte. Ausgedehnte Studienreisen von 1604-10 als Hofmeister adeliger junger Männer förderten seine wissenschaftliche Bildung. 1611 promovierte er zum Dr. juris utriusque und ließ sich in Ensisheim als Rechtsanwalt nieder, trat aber noch in demselben Jahr als Pater F. in den Kapuzinerorden ein. Er empfing die Priesterweihe und widmete sich in den Klöstern zu Konstanz und Frauenfeld mit Eifer dem Studium der Theologie. F. wurde Prediger in Rheinfelden, dann in Freiburg (Schweiz) und 1621 Guardian des Klosters Feldkirch (Vorarlberg). Im Herbst 1621 fielen die Österreicher in das untere Engadin und den Prätigau ein und besetzten diese beiden Täler. Nun begann die gewaltsame Rekatholisierung der den Graubündnern entrissenen Landesteile, und F. wurde der Leiter der von der römischen »Congregatio de Propaganda Fide« für Rhätien gegründeten Mission. Als F. am 24.4. 1622 unter militärischem Schutz in der Kirche in Seewis predigte, drangen die Bauern in das Gotteshaus ein, überwältigten die Soldaten und erschlugen den fliehenden Prediger auf der Straße. Der Leichnam des F. wurde zuerst in Seewis, später in Chur begraben, das Haupt in Feldkirch bestattet. Benedikt XIV. (s. d.) sprach F. am 29.6. 1746 heilig. Sein Fest ist der 24. April.

Lit.: Peter Lechner, Das Leben der Hll. aus dem Orden der Kapuziner I, 1863, 1-78; - Augustinus Maria Ilg, Geist des hl. Franziskus Seraphicus dargest. in Lb. aus der Gesch. des Kapuziner-Ordens 12, 1883, 335 ff.; - Ders., Friar Faithful St. F. of S., Detroit 1934; - Antonius M. Augscheller v. Brixen, Lebensgesch. des hl. F., Bregenz 1889; - Ferdinand v. Scala, Der hl. F. v. Sigmaringen (Trauerspiel), Lindau 1897; - Fidèle de la Motte-Servole, Avocat, Religieux, Martyre, ou S. F. de S., martyrisé par les protestants, Paris 1901; - Leone da Lavertezzo, S. F. d. S., dell'Ordine dei Min. Cappuccini Protomartire della Congregazione di Propaganda, Mailand 1922; - L. Schanté, F. v. S., 1. Blutzeuge der Propaganda, in: KathMiss 50, 1922, 132; - Balduinus Hürth v. Berg, St. F. v. S., der getreue Hl., Einsiedeln 1923; - Bruno Gossens, Der hl. F. v. S., 1933; - Festschr. anläßl. des 200j. Jub. der Hl.sprechung, in: St. Fidelis. Stimmen aus der Schweizer. Kapuzinerprov. 33, Luzern 1946, 167-318; - Siegfried v. Kaiserstuhl, Zur Chronologie des Lebens des hl. F. v. S., in: CollFr 18, 1948, 273 ff.; - Fidele de Ros, Les »Exercitia« de s. F. de S., ebd. 22, 1952, 319 ff.; - Ronald Ross, F. Anwalt des Rechts, in: Die Großen der Kirche, hrsg. v. Georg Popp, 19573, 155 ff.; - Hans Hümmeler, Helden u. Hll., 1959 (501.-510. Tsd.), 205 ff.; - Wilhelm Hünermann, F. Der Getreue, in: Ders., Der endlose Chor. Ein Buch v. den Hll. f. das christl. Haus, 19608, 215 ff.; - Eberhard Moßmaier, F., in: Die Hll., hrsg. v. Peter Manns, 1975, 501 ff.; - LexCap 585 ff.; - BS V, 521 ff.; - VSB IV, 626 ff.; - Wimmer3 220 f.; - Torsy 159; - Künstle 228 f.; - Braun 258 f.; - ADB VII, 4 f. ;. - NDB V, 137 f.; - Catholicisme IV, 1262 ff.; - DHGE XVI, 1415 ff.; - EC V, 1108 f.; - LThK IV, 118 - NCE V, 910; - RE VI, 63; - RGG II, 935.

Friedrich Wilhelm Bautz

Literaturergänzung:

2004

Oktavian Schmucki, F.v.S. (1578-1622): Bibliographie. Kommentierter Literaturbericht bis 2000. Roma 2004 (=Subsidia Scientifica Franciscalia; 10); -

2006

Hl. F.v.S. (1577-1622), in: DirSpir 2006, April, S. 37-39; -

2007

Markus Hofer, F.v. Sigmaringen. Innsbruck 2007; -

2008

Amédée Grab, F. von Sigmaringen, eine Säule. Predigt auf d. Fest d. hl. F.v.S., d. Missionars u. Kapuziners, am 24. April 2008 in d. Pfarrkirche St. Johann Evangelist in Sigmaringen, in: HF 37.2008, S. 353-356.

Letzte Änderung: 19.01.2009

SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20090425135350/http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/f/fidelius.shtml