St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Their story

Mark Roy was born in 1578 in Sigmaringen, in southern Germany. He studied law and philosophy at the University of Freiburg and earned a doctorate in law. As a lawyer he became known as "the poor man's lawyer," because he defended people who could not afford to pay. But he was troubled by the dishonesty and greed he saw in his profession, and he felt God calling him to something more. In 1612 Mark joined the Capuchin Franciscans, giving his fortune to poor seminarians and the needy. He took the name Fidelis, meaning "faithful," from the words of Jesus in the Book of Revelation: "Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." He became a powerful preacher and a beloved leader of his friars. When an epidemic broke out among soldiers in his region, he cared for the sick and dying with great tenderness. In 1622 Fidelis was sent to preach in the Grisons region of eastern Switzerland, where tensions between Catholics and Protestants were very high and often violent. Many people returned to the Catholic faith through his preaching, which made him enemies. He knew his life was in danger. On April 24, 1622, after preaching in the village of Seewis, he was attacked by a group of armed men and killed. He was canonized in 1746. Fidelis was faithful to his name, and to Christ, until death.