Saint Sebastian
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:31PM 
Saint Sebastian, private commission ©Lawrence Klimecki
Seeing the plight of the Christians persecuted under the emperor, Sebastian joined the Roman army that he might better offer the martyrs comfort and encouragement without raising suspicions. When the brothers, Marcus and Marcellianus, deacons of the Church, were arrested, Sebastian urged them to stay strong and hold fast to the faith. But spies and informers were everywhere, even in the emperor's Praetorian guard, and Sebastian was found out and accused of being a Christian.
Brought before Diocletian, Sebastian refused to renounce the faith and the emperorer ordered him delivered to the Mauritanian archers to be executed. Tied to a tree and shot through with arrows, he was left for dead but God preserved him and he was found by Irene who tended his wounds and nursed him back to health.
Rather than flee with his life Sebastian went to a place he knew that the emperor would pass close by. He confronted Diocletian and condemend his cruelty to Christians. Angered, the emperor ordered the sentence of death to be carried out immediately and the holy man was beaten to death with clubs.
Sebastian is remembered for his great faith and courage in the face of persecution. He is loved by many and is the patron of the Swiss Guards that protect the Holy Father.