Saint Sebastian- Patron saint of athletes and soldiers

By Peter Vuono

     During the time of the Roman empire, the years between 303 and 311 proved to be the most severe and bloodiest  years of Christian persecution. Between 3,000 and 3,500 Christians were slaughtered in the arena in what was called the Diocletianic Persecution.This was a period started by former cavalry commander, the Emperor Diocletian and continued by Maximius and two more successors.
     The captain of  Diocletian's Praetorian Guard, which was an elite band of soldiers created by the Emperor Augustus to bodyguard the emperor, was a soldier named Sebastian.Unbeknown to Diocletian, however, Sebastian had become a Christian and it wasn't enough for him to remain so anonymously. Sebastian had converted a prefect known as Chromatius who, when converted, released all his prisoners, gave up his post and retired to another country. Chromatius' son Tiburtius would also later convert and become a Catholic saint.
     Enraged by the "treason" of both converting Chromatius and becoming a Christian himself, Diocletian ordered that Sebastian would be taken to the archery field and the archers,"Would shoot enough arrows as to make him resemble an urchin". The execution was carried out unsuccessfully and Irene of Rome, who would later be canonized a saint, took Sebastian to bury him. She immediately realized that he had survived the attack and she took him to her home and nursed him back to health.
     At the home of Irene, there lived a young woman who was blind. When he was able to speak, Sebastian asked the girl if she wanted to know God. As she replied"Yes", Sebastian made the sign of the cross on her forehead restoring the girl's sight immediately.
     Sebastian, however, could not ignore Diocletian's persecution which continued to rage. Sebastian publicly confronted and harangued the tyrant, demanding that the carnage cease. Diocletian ordered that his  soldiers club Sebastian to death on the spot as an example to others who may feel the same way.
     Sebastian was venerated a saint in the time of Saint Ambrose approx. in the late 300's. His remains are said to have been buried in Rome. Other sources name France. Because of his tenacity, courage, endurance and devotion to doing what is right, he was made patron saint of both soldiers and athletes. Although it is somewhat of a mystery as to where his actual remains lie, the fact remains that the spirit and example of Saint Sebastian, are with us always when we deem it necessary to call for his help.