God Calls Us to Faithfulness Not Success – Apr 24 – Homily – Fr Jacinto

In his homily, Fr. Jacinto honors St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, born Mark Rey in 1577 or 1578 in Germany. A smart young man with doctorates in philosophy and law, he quit his corrupt legal career to join the Capuchin Franciscans, taking the name Fidelis, meaning "faithful," with the motto from Revelation 2:10: "Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee the crown of life." As a priest, he lived simply and became a mission leader in Switzerland in 1622 to counter Protestantism. His powerful preaching converted many, but angered heretics who killed him on April 24, 1622, during Mass. Fr. Jacinto urges us, the "faithful," to stay true to Christ like St. Fidelis and Mother Teresa, who said God calls us to be faithful, not successful, so we may hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Franciscan Media – St. Fidelis biography – https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/

New Advent – Catholic Encyclopedia Fidelis – https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06064b.htm
EWTN – St. Fidelis profile – https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/fidelis-of-sigmaringen-907
USCCB Bible – Revelation 2:10 verse – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/2?10
USCCB Bible – John 17:21 unity – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?21
USCCB Bible – Matthew 25:21 servant – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25?21
CCC 2473 – Martyrdom supreme witness – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2473.htm
CCC 2474 – Martyrs blood testimony – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2474.htm
CCC 814 – Church unity sacrament – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/814.htm

00:00 - Introduction to St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
00:32 - Early Life and Intellectual Gifts
01:17 - Transition from Law to Religious Life
01:53 - Becoming a Capuchin Friar
02:34 - Priesthood and Missionary Work
03:01 - The Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith
04:38 - Martyrdom and Final Witness
06:05 - Our Call to be Faithful Christians