# Matins Nocturn 2 reading for St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr # (Apr 24). Sourced directly from web/www/horas/Latin/Sancti/04-24.txt, # English/Sancti/04-24.txt. Lectio4-6 combined into one reading, one # continuous vita. No Lectio7-9 in the source (6-lesson office). id: st-fidelis-of-sigmaringen readings: - nocturn: 2 isGospel: false text: la: >- Fidélis, in oppido Sueviæ Sigmaringa ex honesta Reyórum família natus, ab ineunte ætate singularibus natúræ et gratiæ donis ornatus præfulsit. Egregiam quippe sortitus índolem, morúmque optima imbutus disciplína, dum Friburgi philosophíæ et juris utriusque lauream emeruit, in schola étiam Christi ad perfectiónis ápicem sedulo virtútum exercítio conténdere cœpit. Nobílium exínde virórum varias Europæ provincias lustrántium comes ascitus, eos ad christianam pietátem sectandam, tam verbis quam opéribus, excitare non déstitit. Quinimmo in eodem itinere crebris austeritátibus desidéria carnis mortificare, ac ita seípsum regere studuit, ut in tanta rerum vicissitúdine nullo umquam visus fúerit iræ motu perturbari. Juris præterea et justítiæ strenuus propugnator, post réditum in Germaniam celebre sibi nomen acquisívit in advocáti munere; in quo tamen cum fori pericula esset expertus, tutiórem ætérnæ salútis viam íngredi deliberávit, et superna vocatióne illustratus, paulo post ordini Seraphico inter fratres Minores Capuccinos adscribi pétiit. Piæ petitiónes compos redditus, mundi suique contemptor insígnis, in ipso statim tirocinio, magisque cum solemnis professióne vota in gáudio spíritus Dómino nuncupasset, in regulari observántia ómnibus admiratióni fuit et exemplo. Oratióni maxime et sacris litteris vacans, in verbi quoque ministerio singulari grátia excellens, nedum Catholicos ad meliórem frugem, verum étiam heterodoxos ad veritátis cognitiónem attraxit. Plúribus in locis cœnobii præfectus constitútus, prudéntia, justítia, mansuetúdine, discretióne et humilitátis laude, munus sibi demandátum exercuit. Arctíssimæ paupertátis zelator egregius, quidquid vel minus necessárium viderétur, e cœnobio pénitus eliminávit. Inter austera jejunia, vigílias et flagélla salutári seípsum prósequens ódio, in alios amórem, quasi mater in fílios, osténdit. Cum pestífera febris Austríacas militares copias dire affligeret, ipse in extremis infirmórum indigentiis ad assidua caritátis offícia toto spíritu incúbuit. In componéndis étiam animórum dissidiis, aliisque próximi necessitátibus sublevandis consílio et opere adeo præcláre se gessit, ut pater pátriæ merúerit appellari. Deíparæ Vírginis et rosarii cultor exímius, illíus præcipue aliorúmque Sanctórum patrocinio a Deo postulávit, ut in catholicæ fidei obsequium vitam sibi et sánguinem fúndere licéret. Cumque ardens hoc desidérium in quotidiana Sacri devota celebratióne magis accenderétur, mira Dei providéntia factum est, ut fortis Christi athleta præses eligerétur illárum missiónum, quas Congregátio de Propaganda Fide pro Rhætia tunc témporis institúerat. Quod arduum munus prompto hilaríque animo suscípiens, tanto fervore exsecutus est, ut, plúribus hæreticis ad orthodoxam fidem conversis, spes non modica effulserit totius illíus gentis Ecclésiæ et Christo reconciliandæ. Prophetíæ dono præditus, futuras Rhætiæ calamitátes, suique necem ab hæreticis inferéndam sæpius prædixit. Postquam vero insidiárum probe cónscius impendénti agoni se præparasset, die vigesima quarta Aprilis anno millesimo sexcentésimo vigesimo secundo, ad ecclésiam loci, Sevisium nuncupati, se cóntulit; ubi ab hæreticis, qui pridie conversiónem simulántes, eum dolóse ad prædicándum invitáverant, concióne tumultuárie interrupta, per verbera ac vulnera eídem crudeliter inflicta gloriósam mortem magno et álacri corde perpéssus, primítias Mártyrum memorátæ Congregatiónis proprio sánguine consecrávit; plúribus signis et miraculis exínde clarus, præsertim Curiæ et Feldkírchii, ubi summa pópuli veneratióne illíus relíquiæ asservántur. en: >- Fidelis was born of the respectable family of Rey in the town of Sigmaringen in Swabia. From his childhood he was adorned with many bright gifts of nature and grace. Intellectually distinguished, and assisted by all the advantages of education, he took at Fribourg the degrees of Philosophy and of Civil and Canon Law, and it was while engaged in these studies, that he began to strive after the height of perfection in the school of Christ, to which end he earnestly trained himself in all the exercises of godliness. He ceased not to exhort to Christian godliness, both by his words and works, the noblemen who made him their companion, and who were drawn from the chief families of diverse parts of Europe. While on his travels, he was careful to mortify the lusts of the flesh by frequent austerities, and so to get the command of himself, that he was never seen under any circumstances to be moved to anger. He was a zealous champion of law and justice, and when he returned into Germany, he won a most distinguished name in his profession as an advocate. After a while, however, in view of the dangers which beset him at the Bar, he determined to enter on a path safer as regarded his eternal salvation, and, in obedience to an inward call from above, he sought admission into the Seraphic Order, among the Capuchin Friars Minor. After he had obtained his holy wish, he showed himself even in his noviceship a singular despiser of the world and of himself, and still more so when with great spiritual joy he had made his solemn profession to the Lord. By his observance of the Rule, he became the wonder and the example of all. He gave himself chiefly to prayer and sacred learning, but he excelled, by a remarkable grace, in the ministry of the Word, and thereby not only stirred up the Catholics to bring forth more fruit, but also drew misbelievers to the knowledge of the truth. He was set at the head of communities of Friars in diverse places, and discharged the duty so laid upon him with great praise for prudence, justice, meekness, wisdom, and lowliness. He was animated by a vehement love of the strictest poverty, and cleansed the convent of whatever was not altogether needful. While he pursued himself with an healthy hatred, and most stern fastings, watchings, and scourgings, he showed to all others a love like the love of a mother for her sons. When a contagious fever made horrid ravages among the Austrian soldiers, he gave himself up with his whole soul to unwearied offices of tenderness toward the helpless sick. In allaying quarrels and relieving the temporal distress of his neighbour, he bore himself with such wisdom and zeal as to earn the name of Father of his country. He tenderly and warmly loved the maiden Mother of God and her Rosary, and he besought God under the patronage of many of His holy servants, but especially under that of the same blessed Mother, to vouchsafe to let him offer his life and his blood together for the sake of the Catholic faith. This burning desire came upon him more and more, day by day, and by the unexpected Providence of God it came to pass that this brave soldier of Christ was chosen President of the Missions which the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith had at that time just founded for the Grisons. He accepted this hard task with a willing and joyful heart, and discharged it with such zeal, that many heretics were turned to the orthodox faith, and great hope was engendered that the whole of that people would return to the peace of Christ and His Church. Fidelis, who was gifted with the spirit of Prophecy, often foretold the great woes which afterwards came upon the Grisons, and that he himself would be murdered by the heretics. At last, some of the heretics, who pretended to be converted, entreated him to come and preach at the Church of a place which is called Sevis. On the 24th day of April, in the year 1622, he went to Sevis, and began to preach, but his discourse was interrupted by a riot, and he was brutally murdered. By this glorious death, which he suffered with a willing and cheerful heart, he offered to God in his own blood the first-fruits of martyrdom from the abovementioned Congregation. God hath since glorified him by many signs and wonders, especially at Chur and Feldkirch, where his relics are kept with much popular veneration. status: { la: verified, en: verified }