FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY
THE INAUGURAL MASS OF BENEDICT XVI'S PONTIFICATE
See preceding page for earlier posts today, 4/24/10.
Saturday, April 24
ST. FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN (b Prussia 1777, d Switzerland 1622), Capuchin Friar and Martyr
He was born Mark Rey and his father was Burgermeister (mayor) of Sigmaringen. Always known for his charity,
when he became a lawyer, he dedicated his services to defending poor people. Eventually, he decided to become
a Capuchin like his brother George, and divided his ealth between poor seminarians and the poor. He was sent
as part of a missionary team by the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to the Calvinists and
Zwinglians of Switzerland. Not an easy task, for he was immediately accused of opposing a peasant movement
for independence from Austria. Despite warnings, he continued to preach but had a strong presentiment of
death. He started signing his letters 'Pater Fidelis, prope diem esca vermium' ('soon to be food for worms').
He escaped a gunshot fired on him while preaching but eventually he was ambushed and killed. He was canonized
in 1746 as the first martyr of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/nab/readings/042410.shtml
OR today.
THE POPE'S DAY
The Holy Father met today with
- H.E. Charles Ghislain, Ambassador of Belgium, who presented his credentials. Address in French.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops (weekly meeting)
- Participants in the national convention on "Digital Witnesses: Faces and languages in the
cross-media era", sponsored by the Italian bishops' conference. Held at the Aula Paolo VI.
Address in Italian.
Also today, the Holy Father named the co-presidents, secretary and general moderator of the
Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Bishops Synod to be held in October at the Vatican.