Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Fidelis of Sigmaringen was born Mark Roy, in Sigmaringen, on October 1, 1577, to a family of Flemish origin. He studied with the Jesuits in Freiburg, took a degree in philosophy, and in 1611 earned a doctorate in civil and canon law. He practiced law, and was quickly disillusioned. They called him the poor man’s lawyer because he defended people who couldn’t pay; what made him quit was seeing how the courts really worked. The following year he joined the Capuchins in Freiburg, together with his brother, and took the name Fidelis. He studied theology in Constance, and was guardian of the friaries of Rheinfelden, Freiburg and Feldkirch. He became known for some writings against the Calvinists and Zwinglians, so much so that in 1614 the bishop of Chur asked him to put together a group of missionary friars for the Grisons. Those were terrible years to go and do that job there. The Thirty Years’ War had set Europe ablaze, and in the Grisons Catholic preaching arrived along with Austrian troops: it was impossible to tell the missionary from the occupier, and Fidelis knew it. On April 24, 1622, in Seewis, while he was preaching, a revolt broke out against the Austrians. He was attacked as he came out of the church and killed. Benedict XIV proclaimed him a saint in 1746. If your name is Fidelis, today is your name day.