St. Sebastian was born in Gaul. He enlisted as a soldier in the Roman army, keeping secret the fact that he was a Christian. Sebastian converted several notable Romans to Christianity. After he was named captain of the Praetorian Guard, his secret was discovered and he was shot with arrows and tied to a tree. Miraculously, he survived, but when he went to denounce the emperor’s actions, the emperor had him beaten to death. St. Sebastian is the patron saint of soldiers, archers, and athletes because of his endurance. His feast day is January 20.

Questions for Reflection

• St. Sebastian’s love for spreading the word of God led to two gruesome attacks on his life. How can you persevere in your own life, despite whatever adversity you might face?

• Who are examples of this type of perseverance in today’s world?