St. Fabian

Their story

Fabian was a Roman layman who came into the city in 236, shortly after the death of Pope Anterus, while the Christians of Rome were gathered to choose a new bishop. The historian Eusebius tells the story that a dove suddenly came down and settled on Fabian's head. The people took it as a sign from the Holy Spirit and chose him at once, even though he was not yet a priest and had not been considered. Fabian proved to be a wise and capable shepherd. He led the Church of Rome for fourteen years during a time of relative peace. He divided the city into seven districts, each with a deacon to care for the poor, and appointed notaries to record the stories of the martyrs. He also worked on the catacombs where Christians buried their dead, and tradition says he sent missionaries to spread the Gospel in Gaul. In 250 the emperor Decius began a fierce persecution, ordering everyone to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Fabian was among the first to be arrested, and he died a martyr on January 20, 250. He was buried in the Catacomb of St. Callixtus, where the stone that covered his tomb, bearing his name, was discovered in modern times. St. Cyprian of Carthage wrote that Fabian's courage strengthened the whole Church. His story reminds us that God can call anyone, even someone who never expected it, to serve His people.