Filled with Arrows

painted by another mother last Lent

I had to take a short break from this blog as I was on an amazing trip through the California missions.  I also had the misfortune of running out of my wooden pegs.  On top of all that...I got very sick and still trying to recuperate.

Well, I am back on track with a saint that is important to our son...he just loves his story and feels close to him so asked to dedicate his life to God under the protection and patronage of this early martyr.





St. Sebastian

Born:  ??
Death: 286
Patron of soldiers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death
possibly from France

Little is known about the youth of this saint.  However, in 283 he entered the Roman military service with the desire to help Christians.  He became so well trained that he was put in the guard to protect the emperor (Diocletian).  He was known to bring conversion to visitors even within the walls of the palace.  It would not be long before these actions were discovered and he was presented to the emperor.

Diocletian was known for his harsh treatment of the Christians.  He ordered Sebastian to be used as target practice for his guard.  After this torture, his body was described as "filled with arrows like an urchin."  Left for dead, a Christian woman (Irene of Rome) went to collect his body for burial and discovered that he was still alive.  She nursed him back to health in a hidden location.

Sebastian was determined to confront Diocletian for his treatment of the Christians.  He entered the palace and found the emperor alone.  He told him of all his wrongs and at first Diocletian was surprised to see this man he thought to be dead.  However, he quickly recovered and called for his guards to once again take Sebastian to be tortured.  This time Sebastian would be beaten to death with clubs, then thrown into the sewers.  He would be discovered by the Christian woman, Lucina, and then buried secretly in the catacombs beneath Rome.