St. Sebastian, the Soldier-Martyr

This Saturday, 20th January, is the (optional) memorial of St. Sebastian (d. 288), a trusted soldier of the Emperor Diocletian who put his allegiance to God before his duty and so suffered martyrdom at his master’s hands. We know little for certain about him, although his legend gained has great popularity and he became a popular subject for artists, especially in the Renaissance. It is said he was born in Gaul and in 283 enlisted in the Roman army. His Christian faith was unknown to Diocletian, who appointed him captain of the praetorian guard. He supported and encouraged Christians under persecution and made many converts amongst the prison staff, including the prefect of Rome. In time Sebastian’s faith became known to the Emperor, who accused him of disloyalty and ingratitude, and ordered him to be shot to death with arrows. However, although the sentence was carried out and Sebastian left for dead, he had not in fact been killed outright and his wounds were tended and healed by a Christian widow. Instead of fleeing the city for safety, Sebastian deliberately went back to Diocletian to reproach him for his cruelty. The Emperor condemned him again to a brutal death, this time by being beaten with cudgels. His body was buried secretly in a grave now marked by the Basilica of St. Sebastian. After his death, he became popular as the patron saint of archers and soldiers. He also gained a reputation for his efficacy against the plague and in mediaeval times was listed as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. [Image: Good Catholic.com]