SAINTS FABIAN (250 A.D.) AND SEBASTIAN (288 A.D.), Martyrs

 

 
Saint Sebastian and Saint Fabian

Artist: Anonymous (Spanish)

Date: 1475-1500

Medium: Oil and tempera on panel. 141.4x89.5 cm.

Location: The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

SAINTS FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN

Martyrs

DOUBLE / RED

Ancient tradition has coupled together the veneration of these glorious martyrs. Fabian was responsible for sending St. Dionysius and other missioners to Gaul. From there, missionary priests journeyed to Britain. This pope was slain during the year 250, during the persecution of Decius. Sebastian was a Christian Roman officer of the fourth century, who by his devotion and fervor converted many of his soldier companions. He fearlessly pleaded with Emperor Diocletian to cease persecuting the Church. For this Sebastian was arrested, sentenced to death, and mercilessly beaten with clubs.

INTROIT (Ps. 78:11, 12, 10)

Let the sighs of the imprisoned come before You, O Lord. Pay back to our neighbors seven times over into their bosoms, and avenge the shedding of the blood of Your saints. Ps. 78:1. O God, strangers have come into Your inheritance, they have defiled Your holy temple, they have made Jerusalem desolate as an orchard watchtower. V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

Almighty God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian in heaven be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE (Heb. 11:33-39)

Brethren: The saints by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners. Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes: moreover also of bands and prisons. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: Of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in mountains and in dens and in caves of the earth. And all these, being approved by the testimony of faith, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL (Ex. 15:11, 6)

Glorious is God in His saints, marvelous in majesty, worker of wonders! V. Your right hand, O Lord, is magnificent in power, Your right hand has slain the enemy.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Ps. 144:10, 11)

Let Your saints bless You, O Lord; let them tell of the glory of Your kingdom.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Luke 6:17-23)

At that time, Jesus coming down with them, he stood in a plain place: and the company of his disciples and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast, both of Tyre and Sidon, Who were come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him: for virtue went out from him and healed all.
And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: "Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold, your reward is great in heaven, For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 31:11)

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; shout for joy, all you upright of heart.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian, and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Luke 6:18, 19)

A multitude of sick and those who were troubled with unclean spirits came to Him, for power went forth from Him and healed all.

POSTCOMMUNION

We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. may the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Saint Sebastian Image by Sebastian Bergmann via Flickr