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.
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
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.
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
Arch. provinciales des
capucins suisses, Lucerne
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/
Also
known as
Mark Rey
Fidel de Sigmaringa
Fedele…
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
murdered 24
April 1622 at
Grusch, Grisons, Switzerland
24
March 1729 by Pope Benedict
XIII
29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict
XIV
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
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Roman
Martyrology, 1914 edition
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
images
video
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
Abbé
Christian-Philippe Chanut
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio dei Frati Minori Cappuccini
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
Provincia Serafica dell’ Umbria dei Frati Minori Cappuccini
nettsteder
i norsk
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/
_73.jpg)
Kapuzinerkirche (Koblenz), Gemälde im Giebel des linken Seitenaltars St. Fidelis von Sigmaringen
_74.jpg)
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
.jpg)
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/
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 Saints, 1889. 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/
.jpg)
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
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
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
- 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
.jpg)
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.
.JPG)
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
.JPG)
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.
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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
