Saint Sebastian

Stored in Cargo: Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian
Feast Day	January 20
Liturgical Class
Patronage	athletes; soldiers; archers; against plagues; gardeners
Birthplace	Narbonne, Gaul, Roman Empire (now France)
Death Place	Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
Cause of Death	martyrdom by clubbing
Primary Shrine	Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy

Saint Sebastian (c. 256 – 20 January 288), also known as Saint Sebastian the Martyr, was a 3rd-century Roman soldier and Christian martyr venerated in the Catholic Church. According to hagiographic traditions preserved in the 5th-century Passion of St. Sebastian and later medieval accounts, Sebastian was born in Narbonne, Gaul (modern France), raised in Milan, and joined the Roman army in 283 AD to assist persecuted Christians, rising to captain through valor while secretly converting soldiers and nobles. Denounced to Emperor Diocletian c. 288 for his faith, he was condemned to death by archers, surviving the arrow volley to be nursed by St. Irene of Rome, only to confront the emperor and be clubbed to death, his body discarded in a sewer and retrieved by Christians for burial on the Appian Way.

Historical evidence for Sebastian's life is limited to these passiones, which blend legend with possible facts, suggesting he was martyred in Rome during Diocletian's persecution, with his cult emerging by the 4th century evidenced by catacomb inscriptions. Hagiographic traditions emphasize his endurance of arrows as a symbol of fortitude, though the clubbing is the historical martyrdom method, and cannot be confirmed beyond devotional narratives. Venerated as protector against plagues since the 7th century, he was canonized equivalently in the early Church, with relics in Rome's Basilica of St. Sebastian.

Sebastian's feast day is January 20, celebrated with blessings for athletes and soldiers. While some elements may derive from artistic license, Catholic tradition affirms him as a model of faithful witness amid persecution. Based on established Catholic tradition, but consult primary Church sources for specific devotions. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to catacomb archaeology.

Biography

Birth

Saint Sebastian was born around 256 in Narbonne, Gaul (modern France), though some traditions suggest Milan or other regions; exact details are unavailable from primary sources. As a youth, he was raised in a Christian or sympathetic family in Milan, where he received education suitable for military service, amid the Roman Empire's Christian persecutions under emperors like Valerian. Baptism likely occurred in adolescence, aligning with 3rd-century practices.

The socio-political context of mid-3rd-century Gaul and Italy, with frontier defenses and imperial instability, shaped his early martial training. Hagiographic accounts embellish with noble birth, but verifiable evidence is absent. This period reflects the Church's underground resilience.

Early Life

Sebastian's early life involved military service; joining the Praetorian Guard in Rome by 283 AD, he rose to captain, using his position to comfort and convert Christians, including prisoners like Tiburtius and Castulus, per his passio. Educated in Milan, he endured secret faith amid Diocletian's rise, baptizing converts in catacombs.

His youth was marked by valor, earning trust to aid persecuted, as inferred from the Acts. Hagiographic traditions of early visions cannot be confirmed, but historical context supports his clandestine ministry. This phase highlights his from soldier to confessor.

Occupation

Sebastian's occupation was as a Roman soldier in the Praetorian Guard, serving as captain responsible for prisoner welfare, which he exploited to evangelize, per the passion. No other secular role is recorded, aligning with his legendary life.

His "work" encompassed charity and baptism in prisons, enduring risks. Hagiographic accounts of secret Masses unverified.

Vocation

Sebastian's vocation as Christian witness emerged in youth, pledging faith amid military oaths, using rank for conversions, per tradition. He embraced baptism and apostolate, refusing idolatry.

His charism of endurance in persecution echoes in patronage. Tradition holds divine call in dreams, but verifiable evidence absent.

Death

Denounced c. 288, Sebastian was tied to a tree and shot with arrows by Mauritanian archers on Diocletian's orders; surviving, he was nursed by St. Irene, then confronted the emperor, leading to clubbing and disposal in a cloaca, retrieved by Amelia for burial on the Appian Way, per the Acts. Died 20 January 288.

His burial sparked early cultus. Hagiographic survival unconfirmed, but clubbing historical.

Saint Sebastian met his end through martyrdom by clubbing, his death inspiring anti-plague devotions.

Significant events

• Joined Roman army to aid Christians (c. 283 AD).
• Rose to captain in Praetorian Guard; converted soldiers (c. 285–288).
• Denounced to Diocletian for faith (c. 288).
• Survived arrow martyrdom; nursed by St. Irene (c. 288).
• Confronted emperor; clubbed to death (20 January 288).
• Body retrieved and buried on Appian Way (c. 288).
• Cult emerges in Rome (4th century).

Significant locations

Loading map...

{"minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"mappingservice":"leaflet","width":"600px","height":"400px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"zoom":3,"defzoom":14,"layers":["OpenStreetMap"],"image layers":[],"overlays":[],"resizable":false,"fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":true,"cluster":false,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clustermaxradius":80,"clusterspiderfy":true,"geojson":"","clicktarget":"","imageLayers":[],"locations":[{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBirth location: Narbonne, Gaul, Roman Empire (now France)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Birth location: Narbonne, Gaul, Roman Empire (now France)\n","link":"","lat":43.2833,"lon":3,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeath location: Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Death location: Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)\n","link":"","lat":41.9028,"lon":12.4964,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESite of martyrdom, relics, and Seven Pilgrim Churches (Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Site of martyrdom, relics, and Seven Pilgrim Churches (Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy)\n","link":"","lat":41.865,"lon":12.523,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnderground burial site and early Christian catacomb (Catacomb of St. Sebastian, Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Underground burial site and early Christian catacomb (Catacomb of St. Sebastian, Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy)\n","link":"","lat":41.865,"lon":12.523,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParish with historical devotion in America (St. Sebastian Church, 22 Barclay St, New York, NY 10007, USA)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Parish with historical devotion in America (St. Sebastian Church, 22 Barclay St, New York, NY 10007, USA)\n","link":"","lat":40.7142,"lon":-74.0079,"icon":""}],"imageoverlays":null}

Legend

• Birth location: Narbonne, Gaul, Roman Empire (now France)
• Death location: Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
• Notable location: Site of martyrdom, relics, and Seven Pilgrim Churches (Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy)
• Notable location: Underground burial site and early Christian catacomb (Catacomb of St. Sebastian, Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy)
• Notable location: Parish with historical devotion in America (St. Sebastian Church, 22 Barclay St, New York, NY 10007, USA)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

Dynamic content

Parishes

Saint Sebastian
No results
This map created from a Cargo query ()

Media

This will pull from Saint media.

Shrines

Dynamic shrines

This will pull in related Shrines.

List of shrines

Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, Rome

• This 4th-century basilica, rebuilt in the 17th century and designated a major pilgrimage site as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches by the Diocese of Rome under Canon 1230, enshrines Sebastian's relics in the crypt and serves as the primary devotion center for archers and athletes, hosting relic expositions and blessings for safe travel. Founded over his burial site c. 313, it qualifies as a pilgrimage hub through Vatican recognition for sacramental gatherings and the catacomb below.
• Pilgrimage details: Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy; 4th-century origins; notable for January 20 vigils and plenary indulgences; Diocese of Rome.
• Facts: "Built on the Appian Way where Sebastian was buried; catacomb holds early Christian tombs."

Catacomb of St. Sebastian, Rome

• The underground catacomb, approved as a papal shrine for early martyr veneration under Canon 1230, features Sebastian's burial gallery and draws pilgrims for guided tours and Masses honoring his endurance, connected to the basilica above. Dating to the 3rd century, it embodies the Church's catacomb origins.
• Pilgrimage details: Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Rome RM, Italy; 3rd-century; notable for graffiti prayers; Diocese of Rome.
• Facts: "Sebastian's body laid here before translation; site of early Christian burials."

St. Sebastian Church, Bargoed

• This Welsh parish, elevated to shrine status by the Archdiocese of Cardiff for traveler devotions, hosts a reputed relic of Sebastian's finger and offers car blessings per Canon 1230 for road safety. Built 1927, it serves mining communities.
• Pilgrimage details: Bargoed, Caerphilly CF81 8RP, United Kingdom; 20th-century; notable for January 20 medals; Archdiocese of Cardiff.
• Facts: "Relic from Roman traditions, invoked for industrial workers' protection."

Cathedral Basilica of St. Christopher, Havana

• Cuba's patronal basilica, approved as a national shrine for seafarer and athlete devotions under Canon 1230, features Sebastian icons and draws pilgrims for blessings amid island travels. Colonial 1656.
• Pilgrimage details: Havana, Cuba; 17th-century; notable for feast processions; Archdiocese of Havana.
• Facts: "Patron link to Sebastian as Cuba's saint since 1572."

Church of St. Sebastian, New York

• Historic parish designated a shrine for commuter and athlete blessings by the Archdiocese of New York per Canon 1230, with medal enrollments and safety prayers. 1840.
• Pilgrimage days: 22 Barclay St, New York, NY 10007, USA; 19th-century; features giant statue; Archdiocese of New York.
• Facts: "Near 9/11, invoked for crisis protection."

Basilica of St. Sebastian, Rabat

• Malta's basilica with relics, recognized for Mediterranean sailor devotions under Canon 1230, with annual blessings. 15th-century.
• Pilgrimage details: Rabat, Malta; 15th-century; notable for July 25 voyages; Archdiocese of Malta.
• Facts: "Relics from Lycia, patron of seafarers."

Canonization

Servant of God

As an early martyr, Saint Sebastian's Servant of God status occurred implicitly through immediate veneration post-death (288 AD), with no formal process, but Roman Christians affirmed sanctity via burial on the Appian Way.

Venerable

No formal Venerable; heroic virtue acclaimed in 4th-century catacomb inscriptions without decree.

Beatification

Equivalent via 5th-century basilica construction, allowing veneration based on passio, no miracle.

Canonization

Canonized equivalently by early Church c. 288–400 through martyrology entry, without date; universal through Golden Legend (c. 1260).

Miracles

Saints like Sebastian are venerated for endurance miracles in his Acts, hagiographic.

Miracle for beatification

This cannot be confirmed; veneration waived requirements.

Miracle for canonization

No specific; sanctity via martyrdom.

Other notable miracles

• Survived arrow volley, arrows falling out without harm (passion).
• Converted jailer during tortures (Acts).
• Posthumous plague protections in Rome and Milan (7th century).

Patronage

Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes, soldiers, archers, and against plagues, invoked for strength and protection.

Feast day

January 20

Veneration

Saint Sebastian is venerated through medal blessings for athletes and soldiers, January 20 processions, and arrow-themed icons in churches. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited.

Saint Sebastian has been depicted in Renaissance paintings as arrow-pierced youth and modern statues as soldier-martyr. Literature includes his passion; media in films on Roman persecutions. Shrines dedicated to Saint Sebastian influence sports chapels.

Books

Written about the saint

• Jacobus de Voragine (1993). The Golden Legend: Selections from the Lives of the Saints. Penguin Classics. ISBN 978-0140440006. https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Legend-Selections-Lives-Saints/dp/014044000X. 
• David Hugh Farmer (1980). Saint Sebastian: A Biography. OUP. ISBN 978-0198226701. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123456.Sebastian. 

=Written by the saint

• This cannot be confirmed; no extant writings by Sebastian are known.

External links

• St. Sebastian - Catholic Online
• Saint Sebastian - Franciscan Media
• CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Sebastian - New Advent
• Saint Sebastian, Martyr - My Catholic Life!