Acta Sanctorum: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (April 24)
April 24, 2026
April 24
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
Life
As a lawyer, St. Fidelis gave special attention to the plight of the oppressed—in fact, he became known as The Poor Man’s Lawyer. He was born as Mark Rey in Germany in 1577. The more he practiced law, however, the more disenchanted and disgusted he became with the lengths to which his colleagues would go in order to win a case. He decided to leave his life as a lawyer and dedicate his life to God in a religious community. His brother was a Capuchin Franciscan, so he joined that order, took the name Fidelis, and was ordained a priest. He was zealous in his practice and proclamation of the faith, and once declared, “Woe to me if I should prove myself but a half-hearted soldier in the service of my thorn-crowned captain!” He was sent to minister in several different regions of Germany, where he reformed whole cities with his preaching. He also cared for the sick, especially during a severe outbreak of disease. Because of his effectiveness, he was chosen to head a party of Capuchins to go to Switzerland to convert people back to the Catholic faith there. His preaching was enhanced by his own witness and the hours he would spend in prayer, and many people were inspired by his example. Opponents threatened his life, and tried to rouse people against him by claiming that he was a spy. One night, his adversaries even shot at him when he was in the pulpit, and tried to storm the church. Friends offered to shelter him, but he declared that his life was in God’s hands, and while he was walking on the road home, he was attacked by a mob of armed men. He asked God to forgive the attackers as they killed him.
Scripture. Colossians 1:24-29
Brothers and sisters:
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is him whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.
Writings
(Year A). It is impossible for human reason to explain or interpret the secret virtues of the spirit of Christ, which consist in the observance of the Gospel. It is given only to those who practice these spiritual virtues to recognise and eat this bread and not to someone who talks about them and who is content with only wearing the habit while not practicing them. Saint Francis speaks to those who practice these virtues as if he were a second Christ: “O you, who for love of Him who died for our salvation, have separated your hearts from the love of the world and of yourselves, and have taken up your cross; O, you, I say, humble apostolic people, come, because your life and rule is to observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom, by His grace, I already carry in my heart. Come, O you who love higher things from the heart, for whom it is no burden to observe the Gospel, but rather an incomparable sweetness.” Indeed, it is called Rule of the friars minor in order to show that only lesser, humble and spiritual men are called to such observance, knowing very well that those who are proud and sensual would harm and damage it, since, as Saint Paul says, no one can say Jesus Christ, unless in the Holy Spirit. Thus no one should despise its humility or poverty unless moved by the spirit of darkness. Therefore this most pious sacrament can only be believed when understood in the Holy Spirit, because whoever opposes this Rule already knows that he is talking in the dark. Thus the humble and poor Francis, like a second Christ, cries out in a loud voice in order to be heard by all men who wish to live and die spiritually, saying: “Whoever wants to or is thirsty for the sweet water of the Gospel of Christ which issues and flows from his most holy side come and enter into the Rule of the Lesser Brothers to serve the holy Gospel”. (“Gospel Love Concerning the Rule of Saint Francis; Anonymous Capuchin source)
Musical Selection
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see his banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we, one in Hope and Baptism, Faith and Charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the church of Jesus constant will remain. Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail; we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, this through countless ages men and angels sing.
Collect
Lord our God,
you enkindled the fire of your love
in the heart of Saint Fidelis
and you crowned his preaching of the faith
with the palm of martyrdom;
grant through his prayers
that, being rooted and grounded in love,
we too may know the power of Christ’s resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)