Born in
Gaul during the middle of the third century CE, Saint Sebastian was
martyred in 288 CE in Rome. Once a
Roman Officer, Saint Sebastian
converted to
Christianity after witnessing the suffering brought by
Diocletian's
persecution of Christians. Reportedly, Saint Sebastion
survived his first
execution only to return again to Diocletian to continue
preaching. He was then
beaten to death by Diocletian's
guards.
Saint Sebastion's feast day is January 20th.
Saint Sebastion is the Patron Saint of Athletes, Plague Victims, Soldiers and Police Officers.
A Prayer to Saint Sebastian:
Dear Commander at the Roman Emperor's court, you chose to be a soldier
of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King of Kings---for which you were condemned to die. Your body, however, proved
athletically strong and the
executing arrows extremely weak. So another means to kill you was chosen
and you gave your life to the Lord. May athletes be always as strong
in their faith as their Patron Saint so clearly has been. Amen.