April 24

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Priest and Martyr

Fidelis was born in the town of Sigmaringen in Germany in the year 1578. He studied Civil Law at Freiburg in Germany and was a practicing lawyer when he entered the Capuchin Order. He led an austere life in vigils and prayers. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1612, he dedicated himself to preaching God's Word. The Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith commissioned him in 1612 to preach sound doctrine in South Germany and Switzerland. He labored for ten years in this area when, in 1622, he was attacked by heretics at Seewis in Switzerland and died a martyr’s death.  This same year the Congretation Propaganda Fidei was formally established  and Fidelis was proclaimed the patron of the Propagation of the Faith.

He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIII on March 12, 1729, and canonized by Pope Benedict XIV on June 29, 1746.