| Fidelis Of Sigmaringen |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN | |
| capuchins | |
| catholic martyrs of the early modern era | |
| reformation | |
| swiss monks | |
| swiss saints | |
| victims of anti-catholicism | |
| 1577 births | |
| 1622 deaths | |
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He was born Mark Roy or Rey and took the name of Fidelis when he joined the Capuchin Order at the age of 35 in 1612. He had previously been a scholar, studying law and philosophy at Freiburg . As a scholar, he was the tutor to three young princes as they toured Europe . After his time as a private tutor, he practiced law at Colmar before deciding upon a monastic life. He was an eloquent advocate and speaker. When he entered the monastery, he wrote that, "Having come naked out of my mother's womb, I strip myself of all and abandon myself naked into my Savior's arms." He was made the guardian of the Convent at Feldkirch and preached at Biberach , Altdorf , Keinzheim , Rheinfelden , and Fribourg in Switzerland. The Roman Catholic Church gave the Capuchins the job of combatting the spread of Protestantism in Switzerland, through the Roman Congregation Of The Propaganda . Fidelis was made the head of the Swiss missionaries, and he immediately recognized that this would entail the loss of his life. He began signing his letters, "''P. Fidelis, prope diem esca vermium''" ("Father Fidelis, in days soon to come food for worms"). In 1622, he entered the district of Switzerland controlled by Austria . Protestants in the area organized a revolt against his preaching, and Fidelis warned the Austrians. There was a revolt throughout the Grisons . On April 24th, Fidelis was preaching at Sévis when the crowd called out "to arms." The people went out to face the Austrian troops. Both sides initially thought that it was Fedelis who had called on the conflict, and so he was let go. However, as he was leaving the town, twenty soldiers confronted him, demanded his renunciation of the Catholic faith, and killed him. His Feast Day in the Roman Catholic Church is April 24 . EXTERNAL LINK Catholic Encyclopedia entry |
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