January 20: Pope Saint Fabian

January 20 marks the feast day of Saint Fabian (birth date unknown, deceased 250). Fabian, a “relatively unimportant” layperson traveled to Rome upon the death of Pope Anteros (the nineteenth pope) in 236. While assembled during the election of the successor, in a room filled with famous men, bishops of renown, and likely candidates for the papacy, a dove appeared in the room and hovered over the head of Fabian. Understood by those present as a divine sign, representing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Christ, Fabian was immediately elected the twentieth pope by acclamation—the unanimous and unquestioned or unplanned agreement of all present that the Holy Spirit had chosen this candidate.


Pope Saint Fabian’s fourteen year papacy was marked with peace, much as the dove upon his head at election would suggest. During that time, Christians experienced greater rights and privileges than previously. Fabian is said to have baptized the Roman Emperor Philip and his son, built up the Church in Rome, constructed catacombs to store the remains of previous popes and saints, and collected the first Church documentation and court records of the holy martyrs who had gone to their deaths defending the Church and proclaiming the truth of Christ. Pope Saint Fabian’s time leading the Church is recognized as a period of growth and organization which enabled the people of Christ to survive the severe persecution that was soon to begin.

Fabian’s papacy ended as the reign of Emperor Decius began, and the persecution of Christians intensified to new levels. Refusing to renounce Christ and offer pagan sacrifice, Decius had Fabian beheaded. He is buried in the Catacombs of Callistus, where the stone slab on his tomb can still be read: “Fabian. Bishop. Martyr.”

Pope Saint Fabian’s life was one that was changed dramatically by the Spirit of God. He accepted the Lord’s call with grace and dignity, and was described by Saint Cyprian as an “incomparable” man whose glory in death matched the holiness and purity of his life. Saint Fabian was also a man marked by peace—not the peace that comes in life when there is nothing troubling us, or nothing wrong—but the true peace of Christ. As the persecutory climate in Rome increased, Fabian remained at peace with Christ, steadily building the Church, preparing for what was to come through his trust and confidence in the Lord. His quiet faith is an inspiration for all of us.



Day 20 of 365
Prayer Intentions: The true peace of Christ in our lives
Requested Intentions: Recovery for Grandmother with broken hip (H); Recovery for Mother who had a stroke (C); Successful surgery and recovery for father (G); Interfaith dialogue (L)
Special Intentions: Those suffering in Haiti; Those providing assistance in Haiti