Patron Saint Faith (Pilgrims)

Also Known as: Fides

Memorial: October 6th

Patron Saint: Pilgrims

Additional Patronages: Prisoners and Soldiers

Memorial: October 6th

The death sentence of St. Faith:

Making the sign of the cross on different parts of her body, she uttered this prayer, "Lord Jesus, who art always ready to assist your servants, fortify me at this hour, and enable me to answer in a manner worthy of you."

The tyrant Dacian, assuming an air of mildness, asked her, "What is your name?"

She answered, "My name is Faith, and I endeavor to support in reality what that flame signifies."

Tyrant: "What is your religion?"

Faith: "I have from my infancy served Christ, and to him I have consecrated my whole soul."

Tyrant: "Come, child, have some regard for your youth and beauty; renounce the religion you profess, and sacrifice to Diana, who is a divinity of your own sex, and who will bestow on you the most precious gifts."

Faith: "The divinities of the Gentiles are devils: how then can you advise me to sacrifice to them?"

The tyrant Dacian, in a rage, said: "What! do you presume to call our gods devils! you must resolve instantly to offer sacrifice, or expire under torments."

Saint Faith, calling to mind the courage of the martyrs and the glorious crown promised to those who persevere to the end, far from being terrified at the menaces of the tyrant, feels herself inflamed with a new desire to die for her Lord; "No," cried she, "I not only am prepared to suffer every torment for Christ, but I burn with impatience to die for him."

Dacian, more enraged than ever, ordered a brazen bed to be produced, and the saint to be bound on it with iron chains. A treat fire was kindled under it, the heat of which was rendered still more intolerable by the addition of oil, and other inflammable matter.

The spectators, struck with pity and horror, exclaimed: "How can the tyrant thus torment an innocent young virgin only for worshipping God!"

Hereupon Dacian apprehended numbers of them, and as these refused to sacrifice, they were beheaded with Saint Faith.

Born: Late 200's France

Died: Early 300's France. Tortured and Martyred by beheading

Canonized: Pre-congregation

Why she is venerated by the Holy Roman Catholic Church:

Gave her virginity to Christ

During the brutal Diocletian persecutions, Faith was an exceptionally beautiful girl who was unconcerned with earthly life, choosing entire Faith in Christ over the largely pagan society which she lived in

Tortured, beheaded and Martyred in the town square of the Agen city of France for refusing to make a sacrifice to a pagan god. Others in the crowd were deeply sympathetic, and grew angry at the tyrant who was punishing her. These crowd members were also tortured and Martryed alongside her that very day.

Saint Faith Charm Medal

Patrick
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