+ You have accomplished your career gloriously, Fedele! and its end was even more beautiful than its course. With what serenity you went towards death! With what joy you succumbed to the blows of your enemies, who were those of the holy Church! Similar to Stefano, you let yourself be discouraged by praying for them; since the Catholic, who must detest heresy, he must also forgive the heretic who immolates him. Pray, O holy Martyr, for the children of the Church; ensure that they know better and better the value of faith and the outstanding grace that God has given them, causing them to be born within it, unique and true, let them live warily against perverse doctrines, which resound in their ears from every side; that they are not scandalized by the painful defections that are so often recorded in this century of softness and pride. It is faith that must lead us to the risen Jesus; he recommends it to us in the words spoken to Thomas: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”! We want to believe, and this is why we attach ourselves to the holy Church which is the supreme teacher of faith. It's her we want to believe, and not to human reason which would not be able to draw on the word of God, much less judge it. Jesus wanted this faith to reach us, supported by the testimony of the martyrs; and every century has had its own. Glory to you, Fedele! that you were able to win the prize by fighting mistakes, and the alleged reform! Take revenge as a Martyr, and incessantly asks Jesus that the sectarians of error return to the faith and unity of the Church. They are our brothers in Baptism: pray for them to return to the fold, so that one day it will be possible to celebrate the true Easter dinner all together, in which the Lamb of God gives himself our food, not in the picture, as in the ancient law, but in full reality, as befits the new one. So be it. +
[By Dom Prosper Guéranger] [24 April, Saint Fedele from Sigmaringa, Martyr (1577 – 1622 ), Protomartyr of the Order of Capuchin Minors and of the S. Congregation of Propaganda Fide. To Sevis, in Switzerland, Saint Fedele from Sigmaringa, Priest of the Order of Capuchin Minors and Martyr, which, sent there to preach the Catholic faith, in the same place, killed by heretics, he committed martyrdom, and by Pope Benedict XIII he was numbered among the holy Martyrs].