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Saint Sebastian began life in Narbonne, Gaul. Catholics
believe he was educated in Milan and became a soldier at
Rome in 283 A. D. There, St. Sebastian was named a captain
in the Praetorian guards by the Roman Emperor Diocletian,
and stories say he was well loved by the ruler. We do not
know how or when St. Sebastian became a Christian, but Catholic
tradition holds that he converted other soldiers and a governor,
and bolstered the sagging spirits of at least two Christian
captives who were awaiting their own martyrdom, in the time
that he served as a soldier in Rome. Eventually, the Emperor
came to hear of Saint Sebastian's faith in Jesus and ordered
him to be tied to a post and slain by arrows. Saint Sebastian
was left for dead, his body horribly pierced and bleeding,
but by virtue of his physical stamina and God's will, he
did not die. A widow, whom Catholics call Saint Irene, found
Sebastian's body and nursed him until he was well.
Saint Sebastian used his recovery to publicly rebuke the
Emperor for his cruel treatment of Christians. The Emperor,
in response, commanded his soldiers to stone St. Sebastian
to death on January 20, 287 A.D., which is now his feast
day. St. Sebastian's body was buried on the Apian way, and
in 367 A.D. a basilica was constructed over his grave. The
building was refurbished c.1610.
The oldest recorded telling of Saint Sebastian's story was
by St. Ambrose who died in the late 4th century A.D. He
spoke of St. Sebastian from the pulpit and from him we know
that Sebastian was already being venerated in Milan at the
time. The earliest artistic representation of St. Sebastian
dates from the mid-sixth century and an author named Paul
the Deacon credits prayers to
St. Sebastian with freeing Rome from pestilence in 680
A.D.
Perhaps this miracle led to Christians choosing to pray
to Saint Sebastian to be saved from the plague, though it
may also be because of the virulence he possessed which
helped him cheat his own death once. Whatever the reason,
Sebastian was the Middle Ages' saint of choice when praying
for deliverance from the dreaded Black Plague. Saint Sebastian's
popularity continued through the Renaissance, where his
arrow-pierced body was a frequently chosen subject of paintings.
In fact, many artists, of all types, have been intrigued
by St. Sebastian's story. Botticelli, Andrea Mantegna, Perugino,
Bernini and El Greco have each painted him. George Orwell
made a reference to Saint Sebastian in his novel, "1984,"
and Claude Debussy wrote a musical piece called "The
Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian."
Saint Sebastian is understandably honored as the patron
saint of athletes, soldiers and police, but he is also the
patron saint of archers, diseased cattle, dying people,
enemies of religion, fletchers, gardeners, gunsmiths, iron
mongers, lace-makers, masons, lead workers, plague, racquet
makers, the Pope's Swiss Guards, and, unofficially, of gay
men. All kinds of people look to Saint Sebastian in hopes
of attaining like strength and endurance. One prayer to
Saint Sebastian asks that athletes be as strong in their
faith as he was. Another prayer simply asks for strength.
St. Sebastian's appeal is universal. In a world that often
overwhelms us, Catholics look to him in hopes of sharing
in the vitality that made him steadfast in life and faith.
"St. Sebastian," Catholic Online, July 11, 2007,
www.cathlic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=103
"Sebastian," Catholic Community
Forum, July 11, 2007, www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saints03.htm
"Saint Sebastian," Wikipedia,
July 11, 2007, www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sebastian
Klemens, Loffler; "St. Sebastian;"
The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. lll; 1912; New York: Robert
Appleton Co.; July 11, 2007; www.newadvent.org/cathen/13668a.htm
Saint
Sebastian as a gay icon
Martyrdom of Saint
Sebastian
Saint sebastian tended
by Saint Irene
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