St Sebastian

Facts Sebastian was born at Narbonne Died 288 AD, Rome, Italy He was a solider He was a martyr

Life Saint Sebastian was an undercover Christian for most of his life. He was born into nobility and joined the Imperial Roman army only to keep his cover as a typical noble pagan. He moved through the ranks of the army and quickly became a captain of the guard and an Imperial officer. St. Sebastian spent most of his time ministering and converting countless prisoners of the Roman Army. He was a gifted healer with the Sign of the Cross and converted soldiers as well as the governor of Rome. Saint Sebastian was discovered and eventually martyred.

Where he lived He lived in Rome, Italy

Prayer Dear Commander at the Roman Emperor's court, you chose to be a soldier of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King of Kings,for which you were condemned to die. Your body, however, proved athletically strong and the executing arrows extremely weak. So another means to kill you was chosen and you gave your life to the Lord. May athletes be always as strong in their faith as their Patron Saint so clearly has been. Amen.

St. Sebastian's Accomplishments Was a Roman Martyr Officer of the Imperial Roman Guard Secretly performed kind deeds as a guard He was a "secret" Christian His religion was discovered and was executed

How and Why He Became a Saint Saint Sebastian was not canonized. He was proclaimed a saint by early Christians because of his martyrdom. In the primitive Church, martyrs were immediately recognized as witnessing to the perfection of Christian life on earth, having shown the ultimate proof of their love for Christ by the offering of their lives. Saint Sebastian was tied to a tree, shot with arrows, and left for dead. He survived, and with the help of Saint Irene, recovered, and returned to preach to Diocletian.

When He Became a Saint Sebastian was not canonized. He was proclaimed a saint by early Christians because of his martyrdom. The canonization process did not come into existence until the 12th century. This would have occurred soon after he was killed.

Patriot Saint of… He is patron of archers, athletes, and soldiers, and is turned to for protection against plagues.

Qualities I Admire I admire that he was a soldier and that he was a martyr. I admire these qualities because soldiers make a lot of sacrifices.

The End

Bibliography http://www.catholic.org/saints/stindex.php http://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/ http://www.catholic.org/saints/ www.2heartsnetwork.org/athletes.htm