St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Fidelis of Sigmaringen was a Capuchin friar who lived in the 1500s-1600s. He lived in an area that is now part of Switzerland.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen played a big part in the Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation. He was also a martyr.
You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy friar in your life!
About St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen was born in 1577 as Mark Rey. He lived in what is now Germany. As a young man, he studied philosophy and law at the University of Freiburg.
After completing his initial studies, Mark taught philosophy at the University of Freiburg. He eventually completed a Doctor of Law degree.
During his time as a student and a teacher, Mark grew in holiness. He wore a hair-shirt, abstained from drinking wine, and became known for his virtue. His modesty, meekness, and chastity were apparent to others.
In 1604, Mark served as a teacher-mentor to three young men traveling throughout Europe. These young men were aristocrats, but Mark grew in charity towards the poor during this time. He visited hospitals frequently and at times even gave the clothes off his back to those in need.
He traveled for six years. During this time, he attended Mass often and spent hours at a time on his knees in front of the Eucharist.
When he was done traveling, Mark practiced law in France and came to be known as the “poor man’s lawyer.” Before long, he became frustrated with the many evils that were common in this profession and decided to enter religious life.
Mark entered the Capuchin order, and he was given the name Fidelis (the Latin word for “faithful”). After completing his novitiate and his studies for the priesthood, he was ordained in 1612.
Soon, an epidemic infected his city. He courageously cared for the sick, and his holy example helped bring many Calvanists to conversion.
Then, Fidelis was commissioned to preach in eastern Switzerland. He was put in charge of eight other Capuchin Friars. The Calvinists in this area were enraged that Fidelis had converted other Calvinists, so they made threats against his life. As he continued to convert others, the Calvinists became even more enraged at him.
Fidelis prepared himself for martyrdom. While he was preaching at Mass on day, some Calvinists gathered outside and called the people in the church to come fight.
Some Catholics convinced Fidelis to flee, but when he later returned he met twenty Calvinist soldiers. They demanded that he renounce his Faith. When he refused, they brutally stabbed him to death.
The next day, some Catholics buried him. Soon after, Calvinist troops were defeated in the same manner that Fidelis had predicted. These circumstances convinced a Protestant minister who had helped kill Fidelis to convert to Catholicism.
St. Fidelis’ body was found incorrupt (though in pieces) six months after his death.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen’s Feast Day: April 24th
Why Pray the St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena?
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen doesn’t have an official patronage, but he is a great saint to seek prayers from in many circumstances.
You can ask St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen to pray for you if you are discerning a vocation to a Franciscan religious order, since he was a holy Capuchin friar. You could also ask him for prayers on behalf of a Franciscan you know.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen is also a great saint to seek intercession from if you are being persecuted for your Faith, since he was plotted against and eventually killed on account of his Faith.
You can pray the St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena for any intention!
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena Prayers
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed as he grew in holiness throughout his young adult years.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, you grew greatly in holiness during your time as a student and a teacher. You practiced penance and tried to grow in virtue, out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so dearly!
Your modesty, meekness, and chastity were well-known to those around you. Your holy practices helped you to grow in openness to God and in a willingness to serve Him throughout the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may grow in virtue each day. Pray that I may serve Him joyfully each day of my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed through his charity towards the poor.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, you traveled throughout Europe with three aristocrats. During this time, you grew in charity towards the poor for the love of God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so ardently!
At times, you even gave the clothes off of your own back to those in need. You provided your services as a lawyer to help the poor as much as you were able to, for the love of God.
Pray for me, that I may grow in my charity towards the poor around me, out of love for God. Pray that I may never miss the opportunity to serve God through charity towards my poor brothers and sisters.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his generous response to Your call to a religious and priestly vocation.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, you began on the path to a life as a lawyer. But you quickly became disillusioned with the evil practices that were common in this profession and turned instead to a life of serving God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you longed to serve!
You became a Capuchin friar and priest. In this vocation, you served God wholeheartedly and did all you could to bring souls to Him.
Pray for me, that I may follow God’s call in my life as faithfully as you did. Pray that I may be eager to serve God in whatever ways He calls me to serve Him.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed by serving You faithfully as a Capuchin friar.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, you longed to escape the corruptions of worldly life that you encountered in your profession as a lawyer. You entered the Capuchin order so that you could serve God more wholeheartedly.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so wholeheartedly!
As a Franciscan friar, you were ordained to the priesthood. You did a lot for the Church during the time of the Counter-Reformation, and you ultimately died for your Faith.
Pray for me, that I may serve God as faithfully in my life as you did. Pray that I may be as devoted to my Faith as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed through his holy example of caring for the sick in time of epidemic.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, you were a newly ordained Franciscan priest when an epidemic struck in your area. You courageously cared for the sick with little concern for yourself, out of love for God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
Through the holiness of your example, many Calvinists were inspired to conversion. Your reputation for holiness spread and helped bring many others to God.
Pray for me, that I may never miss the opportunity to preach the Gospel through my example. Pray that I may seek to live out virtue at every opportunity.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in holding fast to his Faith despite the threat of death.
St. Fidelis, your holy example converted many Calvinists to Catholicism. This enraged other Calvinists, and these Calivinists then made threats against your life. Despite the danger, you persevered in your Faith.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
You were ultimately faced with the choice between your Faith and your life. You chose to hold fast to your Faith, and you were brutally killed because of your Faith.
Pray for me, that I may have the fortitude to do what is right in my life. Pray that I may hold fast to my Faith, no matter the cost.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed by holding fast to his Faith amidst persecution.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, you were able to convert many Calvinists to Catholicism through your holy example of caring for the sick during an epidemic. Though this angered many and they threatened your life, you continued holding fast to your Faith.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You were ultimately faced with the choice to abandon your Faith and live, or to die for your Faith. You remained faithful, even though you had to give up your life.
Pray for me, that I may practice my faith with devotion. Pray that I may hold fast to my Faith even to the point of death if necessary.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in courageously facing a brutal death for his Faith.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, your success in bringing many Calvinists to Catholicism made you many enemies. Despite threats against your life, you continued to serve God faithfully.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God with such faithfulness!
When you met a group of angry Calvinist soldiers, you were faced with the choice between renouncing your Faith or dying a brutal death. You courageously chose to die for your Faith.
Pray for me, that I may practice my Faith with courage each day. Pray that I may never allow any sufferings to deter me from holding fast to my Faith.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his years of devoted service to You Church.
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, you lived in a time when the Church was facing many new threats from the revolting Protestants. Though your own life was in danger, you persevered in serving God and His Church.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
You had the opportunity to save your life and avoid a brutal death by renouncing your Faith. But you courageously refused to renounce your Faith and gave up your life for God.
Pray for me, that I may serve God and His Church as devotedly as you did. Pray that I may never waver in my commitment to my Faith.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.