Feast of Ss. Fabian & Sebastian

These two saints from the early centuries of the church were both martyrs. St. Fabian was a layman who was acclaimed Pope when, arriving at the deliberations, a dove alit upon him which was judged a sign of God's choice. After a number of years of peace, the persecutions began again, and St. Fabian proved the provenance of his election by his Martyrdom.

St. Sebastian was a soldier who rose to become captain of the Praetorian Guards. When his Christian faith was discovered he faced martyrdom. First, he was shot with arrows, but according to his legend he did not die, and was nursed back to health by Irene, the widow of another martyr. He then confronted the Emperor Diocletian, reproaching him for his persecution of the church and was then beaten to death.

Be mindful of our weakness, almighty God, and because we are oppressed by the burden of our deeds, grant that the glorious intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs Fabian and Sebastian may protect us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, Forever and ever. Amen

Infirmitatem nostram respice, omnipotens Deus: et, quia pondus propriae actionis gravat, beatorum Martyrum tuorum Fabiani et Sebastiani intercessio gloriosa nos protegat. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum, Qui vivit et regnat Tecum in unitate Spiritus
Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen