Saint Sebastian
- 20 January
- 18 December (Orthodox calendar)
Profile
Son of a wealthy Roman family. Educated in Milan. Officer of the Imperial Roman army, and captain of the guard. Favorite of Diocletian. During Diocletian‘s persecution of the Christians, Sebastian visited them in prison, bringing supplies and comfort. Reported to have healed the wife of a brother soldier by making the Sign of the Cross over her. Converted soldiers and a governor to Christianity.
Charged as a Christian, Sebastian was tied to a tree, shot with arrows, and left for dead. He survived, and with the help of Saint Irene, recovered, and returned to preach to Diocletian. The emperor then had him beaten to death.
During the 14th century, the random nature of infection with the Black Death caused people to liken the plague to their villages being shot by an army of nature’s archers. In desperation, they prayed for the intercession of a saint associated with archers, and Saint Sebastian became associated with the plague.
Born
- against cattle disease
- against epidemics
- against plague
- against diseased cattle
- burial societies
- dying people
- plague victims
- against enemies of religion
- archers
- armourers
- arrowsmiths
- athletes
- bookbinders
- boxers
- corn chandlers
- fighters
- fletchers
- gardeners
- gunsmiths
- hardware stores
- infantrymen
- ironmongers
- lace makers
- lace workers
- lead workers
- masons
- needle makers
- police officers
- pugilists
- racquet makers
- seed merchants
- soldiers
- stone masons
- stonecutters
- wrestlers
- Pontifical Swiss Guards
- World Youth Day 2013
- in Belgium
- –
- in Brazil
- Água Comprida
- Águas Vermelhas
- Aimorés
- Alpinópolis
- Andradas
- Araçaí
- Araújos
- Areado
- Bela Vista de Minas
- Berizal
- Biquinhas
- Bom Repouso
- Brumadinho
- Bugre
- Cambuquira
- Campo Azul
- Canápolis
- Capitão Andrade
- Capitão Enéas
- Capitólio
- Carlos Chagas
- Carvalhopólis
- Casa Grande
- Chácara
- Coimbra
- Comendador Gomes
- Coronel Fabriciano
- Cruzília
- Dionísio
- Ervália
- Espera Feliz
- Espinosa
- Estrela do Indaiá
- Eugenópolis
- Felisburgo
- Florestal
- Gonzaga
- Grupiara
- Guimarânia
- Ingaí
- Inhapim
- Inhaúma
- Itapeva
- Itatiaiauçu
- Jenipapo de Minas
- Joanésia
- Juatuba
- Juruaia
- Lagoa Grande
- Leandro Ferreira
- Leopoldina
- Machacalis
- Maripá de Minas
- Mirabela
- Nova Serrana
- Nova União
- Olímpio Noronha
- Oliveira, diocese of
- Orizânia
- Paiva
- Papagaios
- Passa Quatro
- Passa Tempo
- Pedra do Anta
- Pedralva
- Pedrinópolis
- Periquito
- Pingo-d’Água
- Pirapora
- Piraúba
- Ponte Nova
- Presidente Juscelino
- Presidente Prudente, diocese of
- Raul Soares
- Rio de Janeiro
- Rodeiro
- Sabinópolis
- Sacramento
- Salto de Divisa
- Santa Cruz de Minas
- São Geraldo
- São Gotardo
- São Sebastião da Bela Vista
- São Sebastião da Vargem Alegre
- São Sebastião do Anta
- São Sebastião do Maranhão
- São Sebastião do Oeste
- São Sebastião do Paraíso
- São Sebastião do Rio Preto
- São Sebastião do Rio Verde
- Sem-Peixe
- Senador Amaral
- Senador Cortes
- Senador José Bento
- Serra do Salitre
- Taiobeiras
- Tapira
- Tapiraí
- Tarumirim
- Timóteo
- Valença, diocese of
- Volta Grande
- –
- in Germany
- –
- in Italy
- Accadia
- Acireale
- Arbus
- Arnara
- Aversa, diocese of
- Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto
- Borgonuovo-Pontecchio
- Bra
- Bracciano
- Camporosso
- Cascina
- Caserta
- Castel Gandolfo
- Castelnuovo Nigra
- Cerreto Laziale
- Collevecchio, Montorio al Vomano
- Cropani
- Curcuris
- Escalapiano
- Fagnano Castello
- Gallipoli
- Grondona
- Limina
- Mongiuffi Melia
- Nidastore
- Paterno, Avezzano
- Rocca Priora
- San Sebastiano dei Marsi
- Savigliano
- Solarolo
- Syracuse, Sicily, archdiocese of
- Tremensuoli
- Villarazzo, Castelfranco Veneto
- –
- in Luxembourg
- –
- in Malta
- –
- in the Philippines
- –
- in Portugal
- –
- in Puerto Rico
- –
- in Slovakia
- –
- in Spain
- –
- in Venezuela
Readings
O God, who did bestow on blessed Sebastian, your martyr, such wonderful strength of valour in his sufferings for You: grant us, after his example, to condemn, for love of You, all earthly prosperity, and to dread no sort of adversity. – Gregorian Sacramentary
MLA Citation
- “Saint Sebastian“. CatholicSaints.Info. 20 April 2024. Web. 25 April 2024. <>