Saint Who?
Saints Who Studied Law
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen
Priest and martyr († 1622) Feast: April 24
Mark Rey was born in Sigmaringen, Germany, and was a gifted student in philosophy and law. He accepted an appointment to serve as tutor to a group of young nobles, whom he accompanied for six years as they traveled through major European cities. Mark also witnessed to them through his devotion, personal mortification, and generosity with the needy.
When he returned to Germany, he completed his legal studies and began working as a lawyer. People called him “the poor man’s lawyer” because of his willingness to stand up for the rights of the poor. His personal integrity and charity in speech raised the standard of behavior in the courts, but he eventually became discouraged by the widespread corruption he saw. He decided to leave the practice of law and become a Capuchin Franciscan.
After taking the name Fidelis, he served as guardian of multiple Franciscan communities and cared for the sick during an epidemic. Because of his gifts as a preacher, his superiors sent him on a preaching mission in Switzerland. Fidelis’ zealous sermons brought about many conversions but also earned him the hatred of Zwinglian Protestants. The bullet shot at him during Mass did not kill him, but an angry mob found him on a road the next day and made him a martyr.
Lord Jesus, show us how to protect the poor
and the defenseless.
