Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/April 24

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Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577 – April 24, 1622) is a Roman Catholic saint and martyr of the Counter-Reformation in Switzerland.He was born Mark Roy or Rey and took the name of "Fidelis" when he joined the Capuchin Order at the age of 35 in 1612. He was born at Sigmaringen, a town in Germany, in the principality of Hohenzollern. His father was John Rey. He studied law and philosophy at Freiburg.He subsequently taught philosophy there, ultimately earning a "doctor of laws". During his time as a student he did not drink wine, and wore a hair-shirt. His was known for his modesty, meekness, and chastity.In 1604, he accompanied three young gentlemen of Switzerland on their travels through the principal parts of Europe. During six years of travel, he attended Mass very frequently; in every town where he came, he visited the hospitals and churches, passed several hours on his knees in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and gave to the poor sometimes the very clothes off his back.Upon return to Switzerland, he practiced the law in quality of counsellor or advocate, at Colmar, in Alsace. He scrupulously forbore all invectives, detractions, and whatever might affect the reputation of any adversary. His charity procured him the surname of "counsellor and advocate for the poor". Being disenchanged by the evils of that profession, he became determined to enter the Capuchin friars.
Attributes:sword; palm of martyrdom; heretics; the Morning Star; trampling on the word "heresy"; with a club set with spikes; with a whirlbat; with an angel carrying a palm of martyrdom; with Saint Joseph of Leonissa
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