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 Born at Sigmaringen of prominent family in the principality of Hohenzollern, in the
year 1577, St. Fidelis received the name Mark in baptism. He was fortunately
endowed both by nature and by grace, so that while he progressed in learning,
he made still greater progress in virtue and piety. When he had completed his
studies in philosophy and jurisprudence at the University of Freiburg in
Breisgau, the parents of several young noblemen were looking for a tutor who
would accompany their sons on a tour through the various countries of Europe.
The professors at the university drew their attention to Mark, who qualified
for the position by his moral as well as by his mental gifts. Mark accepted
the position, as a result of which he spent 6 years traveling. To the young
men who had been entrusted to him he pointed out, not only everything that was
noteworthy from a worldly point of view, but he led them also to the practice
of Christian virtue. He himself was to them an exemplary model, since in all
the vicissitudes of these 6 years they never saw him get angry.
Upon his return, Mark followed the profession of a
lawyer. He was soon much in demand because of his ability. But when he noticed
that many lawyers, corrupted by money, did violence to justice, and that an
attempt was being made to lure him also into that course, he gave up the
dangerous career.
He had an elder brother among the Capuchins; and
he, too, joined them in the year 1612. At his investiture he received the name
Fidelis, the faithful one, and in his address, the superior applied to him the
words of Holy Writ: "Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee the
crown of life." (Apoc 2, 10). The words were destined to be a prophecy
concerning the new candidate in the order. After Fidelis had completed his
studies in theology and had received holy orders, he preached the word of God
with great zeal. Meanwhile, he was a model in all the conventual practices,
and evinced such wisdom that a few years later the superiors appointed him
guardian.
In this position he strove earnestly to promote in
his subjects religious perfection, tolerating no violation of it. But he was
stricter with himself in this regard than with any of his brethren; towards
all the others he cherished truly maternal solicitude and charity. Whenever
the salvation of a soul was concerned, no sacrifice was too great. When he was
guardian at Feldkirch, a pestilential disease raged among the soldiers there;
at once Father Fidelis betook himself to them and tendered them every possible
service.
In the year 1622, the Congregation of the
Propaganda, which had just been founded by Pope Gregory XV, established a
mission for the Grisons in Switzerland, to check the pernicious inroads of the
Calvinists and Zwinglians. Father Fidelis was named the head of this mission.
For a long time he had been begging God daily at holy Mass to grant him the
grace to shed his blood for the Faith; now his prayer was about to be heard.
Since Fidelis had the happiest results from the very first months of his
mission activity, the rage of the heretics rose to great heights; his death
was resolved upon. Fidelis was so convinced of it that on the morning of April
24th at Sevis he prepared himself for his last moments. Then he mounted the
pulpit. During the sermon a band of armed heretics pressed into church. They
dragged him down from the pulpit, and inflicted so may blows and cuts on him
that he died at their hands.
God almighty glorified His martyr by many miracles,
whereupon Pope Benedict XIV solemnly entered his name in the register of
saints in 1746.
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
1. Consider how the holy
martyr Fidelis remained true to his Lord and God throughout life. The fidelity
which he vowed in baptism, he kept in all the circumstances and manifold
dangers to which he was exposed. Not his youthful years at the university, not
his many years of travel all over Europe, not the allurement of money in his
position as a lawyer, not human respect while he was a superior of his
convent, not danger to his life during the pestilence, not certain death from
fanatical heretics, could make him waver in the fulfillment of his duties, in
his fidelity to God. He was faithful unto death, therefore he also obtained
the glorious crown of eternal life. -- Let us rejoice with him and wish him
happiness.
2. We, too, would like to obtain the crown; but that will be the
lot of only faithful combatants. "For he is not crowned except he strive
lawfully" (2 Tim 2:5). You promised to do that in baptism as did St. Fidelis;
at your first Holy Communion you solemnly renewed the promise. How do you keep
it? Do you remain faithful to God in all things? In the dangers of youth? Amid
unusual circumstances, for instance while traveling? Against the lure of
money? Against the fear of displeasing men? In dangers of life? Even when
certain death is imminent? Fortunate he who at the end of his life can say
with the Apostle: "I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7). For then there will
also be a crown laid up for him. 3. Consider the means that will preserve us
faithful unto death. It is firm and lively faith, and strong and fervent love
of God. Faith enlightens us to acknowledge that everything else is as nothing
compared with God and eternity: love strengthens us to suffer everything
rather than displease our Lord and God. May the veneration and intercession of
St. Fidelis obtain for us an increase in both these virtues.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O God, who didst vouchsafe
to enkindle in St. Fidelis the seraphic fire of charity, and didst adorn him
with the palm of martyrdom and of astounding miracles in the propagation of
the true Faith, so strengthen us by Thy grace in faith and in charity that we
may merit to be found faithful in Thy service unto death. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
from:
The Franciscan Book
of Saints, ed. by
Marion Habig, ofm., © 1959 Franciscan Herald
Press
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