Who was St. Sebastian?
St. Sebastian was a courageous Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century during the Roman Empire. Though he served as a soldier in the Roman army, he was secretly a Christian and used his position to comfort and strengthen fellow believers who were imprisoned and facing death for their faith.
When Emperor Diocletian discovered Sebastian’s faith, he ordered him to be executed by having him tied to a tree and shot with arrows. Miraculously, Sebastian survived. A Christian widow named Irene cared for his wounds and nursed him back to health.
Instead of hiding, Sebastian boldly returned to confront the emperor, urging him to stop persecuting Christians. This time, he was beaten to death and gave his life fully for Christ.
Why Catholics Honor Him
St. Sebastian is a powerful witness of bravery, perseverance, and faith in the face of cruelty. His unwavering trust in God — even after surviving one execution — reminds us to stand firm in our beliefs, no matter the cost.
He is often called upon in times of sickness, especially during plagues or pandemics, and is also loved by athletes for his spiritual strength and endurance.
A Short Prayer to St. Sebastian:
St. Sebastian, fearless defender of the faith,
pray for us in our trials and strengthen us in courage.
Help us to remain faithful when we face hardship,
and protect all who suffer in body and soul. Amen.
| Novena Begins: | January 11 |
| Feast Day: | January 20 |
Patron Saint of Soldiers, Athletes, And those who desire a Saintly death
Day 1 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Sebastian Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glorious Sebastian, martyr and saint, I call on your strength and courage to help me through this difficult trial. Your faith was so deep, a multitude of arrows could not finish you.
The piercing wounds inflicted for your faith only proved to strengthen your belief. May you intercede for those who are weakened from the effects of disease. I ask for your intercession that I may also survive that which threatens to destroy my beliefs in the mercy of Christ. Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Sebastian, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…