Saint of the day: Blessed Sebastian of the History of Aparicio

Saint of the day, Blessed Sebastian of the History of Aparicio: Sebastian's roads and bridges connected many distant places. His latest bridge building was to help men and women recognize God-given dignity and destiny.

Sebastian's parents were Spanish farmers. At the age of 31, he set sail for Mexico, where he began working in the fields. Eventually he built roads to facilitate agricultural trade and other trade. Its 466-mile road from Mexico City to Zacatecas took 10 years to build and required careful negotiations with indigenous people along the way.

Prayer to Mary Most Holy to ask for a grace

Over time Sebastiano was a rich farmer and rancher. At the age of 60, he entered into a virginal marriage. His wife's motivation may have been a great legacy; his was to provide a respectable life for a girl without even a modest marriage dowry. When his first wife died, he entered into another virginal marriage for the same reason; his second wife also died young.

At the age of 72, Sebastiano distributed his goods among the poor and entered the Franciscans as a brother. Assigned to the large convent (100 members) in Puebla de los Angeles, south of Mexico City, Sebastian went to collect alms for the friars for the next 25 years. His charity towards all earned him the nickname "Angel of Mexico". Sebastiano was beatified in 1787 and is known as the patron saint of travelers.

Saint of the day, Blessed Sebastian of the History of Aparicio: reflection: According to the Rule of St. Francis, the friars had to work for their daily bread. Sometimes, however, their work did not provide for their needs; for example, working with people with leprosy brought little or no wages. In cases like these, the friars could beg, always keeping in mind Francis' admonition to let their good example recommend them to the people. The life of the devoted Sebastiano has brought us much closer to God.