Saint Sebastian

January 20, 2023
Author: Hannah DeVivo

Peace be with you!

Today, January 20th, is the feast of Saint Sebastian!

The Life of Saint Sebastian

There isn’t information regarding Sebastian’s early life, but it is believed that he was born and raised in France. He was a Christian during a time that it was very dangerous to believe in Christ. The Romans persecuted Christians with legendary brutality. In 282, Sebastian joined the Roman army. He did this in order to help Christians in secrecy-bringing them information, visiting those who were imprisoned and supplying them with food and consolation. His faith was strong, and he even managed to convert other soldiers and prominent officials in the Roman army.

During his service, Sebastian was so well-liked and recognized that he was promoted to the Praetorian Guard. He was entrusted to protect Emperor Diocletian, a man infamous for ordering the death of hundreds of Christians. Although a considerable risk, being promoted allowed Sebastian to help his fellow Christians even more.

There are many incredible stories of his heroic faith and successful conversions. At one point, twin brothers Marcellian and Marcus, Christian deacons, were imprisoned for refusing to worship the Roman gods. Their parents were devastated when they heard of their capture and feared the Roman’s wrath. They visited them and tried desperately to convince them to renounce the Faith. When Saint Sebastian saw this, he spoke to the parents of the glory of God. He encouraged them to put their trust in Him and they ended up converting to Christianity as well.

On another occasion, a woman named Zoe was brought to Saint Sebastian. She was the wife of a fellow soldier and was mute. Sebastian prayed with her and invoked the name of Jesus Christ. He made the sign of the cross on her forehead, and she was healed! She and her husband converted to Christianity, along with many others who learned what happened and were amazed. Sebastian continued to give all the glory to God and bolstered these new Christians with his vigorous love for and dedication to the Faith.

Saint Sebastian’s Death

Due to these miraculous occurrences, Diocletian came to learn that Sebastian was a Christian. Some say that Sebastian volunteered this information on his own in an attempt to show Diocletian the power of Christ and convince him to let the Christian prisoners go. Either way, Diocletian’s wrath and malice were unswayed. Instead, he ordered the death of Sebastian. Diocletian was furious and felt tricked that Sebastian, one of his own guards, was a Christian spy. He wanted Sebastian’s death to be painful and a spectacle to all.

Diocletian ordered that Saint Sebastian be stripped of his clothes, tied to a tree, and used as “target practice” for the soldiers. He was pierced with so many arrows, that his body was described as looking like an urchin. Once the archers decided that he must be dead, they left. A Christian woman named Irene came to retrieve the body and noticed that he was still alive. She untied him from the tree, took him to a safe place where he could be hidden from harm, and nursed his body back to health.

Once Sebastian was recovered, he insisted on going back to Diocletian. One can only imagine the look on Diocletian’s face when he saw Sebastian. Here was this man, this Christian, who had suffered greatly and yet had come back to admonish Diocletian for his wrongdoings. The power and glory of God showed that the flesh of Sebastian may be battered, but his spirit was strong and unharmed. Diocletian, though surprised, still did not change his ways. Instead, he ordered his guards to beat Sebastian with clubs and make sure that he was truly dead before leaving. They did so and pushed Sebastian’s body into the sewer afterwards. His body was recovered by a Christian woman and buried in the catacombs beneath Rome. His remains were moved nearly 100 years after his death. His skull was sent to a German monastery and placed in a silver case. It remains encased today and is in a reliquary in Ebersberg, Germany.

The Patronage and Legacy of Saint Sebastian

In the 1300s, the Bubonic Plague was devastating. 75 million people all throughout Europe died, and those who lived amidst it were terrified. They had no idea how the disease was transmitted and felt that catching it was all up to chance. Some compared it to being shot with one of nature’s deadly arrows. Because of this, Christians sought help from Saint Sebastian. They prayed for relief and protection against this Black Death. His powerful intercession to God proved helpful and spared many lives.

Even in this modern time, we called upon Saint Sebastian to protect us from the Coronavirus and felt his protecting strength encouraging us in the face of the scary unknown. I thought especially of the strong faith and peace he must have had when being presented with his own imminent death.

Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of many things:

  • Soldiers, due to his occupation.
  • Athletes, for surviving the piercings of so many arrows
  • The Dying, and Those who Desire a Saintly Death, for his courage and steadfast faith despite his mortal wounds.
  • Illnesses and plagues, for the miracles associated with his intercession.

Saint Sebastian was an example of courage, faith, and love. May we remember him and ask for his intercession when we feel afraid or unsure-especially when it comes to defending our Faith. Shop devotional products here!

Saint Sebastian, Pray for Us!

Before You Go

Do you have a devotion to Saint Sebastian?

Do you or does someone you love have the name Sebastian, and did you know the story of the namesake?

Did you learn anything new in this article?

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