Saint of the day on January 19: the story of San Fabiano

The history of San Fabiano

Fabian was a Roman layman who one day came to town from his farm as the clergy and people were preparing to elect a new pope. Eusebius, a Church historian, says a dove flew in and landed on Fabian's head. This sign united the votes of the clergy and the laity, and was chosen unanimously.

He led the Church for 14 years and died a martyr during the persecution of Decius in 250 AD. Saint Cyprian wrote to his successor that Fabian was an "incomparable" man whose glory in death corresponded to the sanctity and purity of his life.

In the catacombs of San Callisto you can still see the stone that covered Fabiano's tomb, broken into four pieces, bearing the Greek words “Fabiano, bishop, martyr”. San Fabiano shares his liturgical feast with San Sebastian on January 20.

Reflection

We can confidently go into the future and accept the change that growth requires only if we have solid roots in the past, in a living tradition. Some pieces of stone in Rome remind us that we are bearers of over 20 centuries of a living tradition of faith and courage in living the life of Christ and showing it to the world. We have brothers and sisters who "preceded us with the sign of faith", as the first Eucharistic prayer says, to illuminate the way.