Saint Expeditus

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Saint Expeditus
Feast Day April 19
Profession Roman soldier
Patronage urgent causes; merchants; computers; procrastination; students; travelers; army in battle
Attributes trampling a crow holding a banner inscribed "Cras" (Tomorrow); cross inscribed "Hodie" (Today)
Death Place Melitene, Armenia (modern-day Malatya, Turkey)
Cause of Death Martyrdom
Primary Shrine Sant'Agata dei Goti, Rome
Liturgical Class Not included
Historic Class Not included

Saint Expeditus is a saint of the Catholic Church invoked as the patron of urgent causes and against procrastination. According to the Roman Martyrology, he was a martyr at Melitene in Armenia (modern-day Turkey), though specific historical details about his life remain unverified beyond hagiographic traditions.[1] These accounts portray him as a Roman army officer who underwent a sudden conversion to Christianity, rejecting delay symbolized by a crow croaking "Cras!" (tomorrow), and embracing faith immediately with "Hodie!" (today).[2]

His iconography typically shows him as a soldier trampling a crow bearing "Cras" while holding a cross with "Hodie," emphasizing decisiveness in spiritual matters. Veneration arose in the late 17th or early 18th century, particularly in France and Sicily, spreading to places like New Orleans in the United States.[3] Though not included in the General Roman Calendar, his feast is observed on April 19 in certain local calendars and by devotees worldwide.

Biography

Birth

No verifiable historical records exist regarding the birth of Saint Expeditus. Hagiographic traditions do not specify a date or location for his birth, focusing instead on his role as a Roman soldier. This lack of primary source documentation places details about his early years in the realm of pious legend rather than confirmed history.[4]

According to these accounts, he may have been born in the late 3rd century in the Roman Empire, but this cannot be confirmed through contemporary sources. The Roman Martyrology mentions only his martyrdom site, providing no biographical prelude.[5]

Early Life

Hagiographic tradition holds that Saint Expeditus served as a high-ranking officer in the Roman army, possibly a commander of a legion. Details of his youth are absent from verifiable sources, with narratives emphasizing his military career prior to conversion. Evidence suggests he operated in regions under Roman control in the East, such as Armenia.[6]

These stories portray a life of discipline and authority, setting the stage for his dramatic spiritual awakening. However, no primary documents, such as military records or early Christian testimonies, corroborate these elements, limiting them to devotional lore.

Occupation

Saint Expeditus is traditionally described as a Roman soldier, specifically an officer or legionary commander. According to hagiographic accounts, he held a position of responsibility in the imperial forces during a time of Christian persecution. This profession aligns with many early martyrs who were military personnel.[7]

His role involved upholding Roman authority, potentially in frontier areas like Melitene. While the Roman Martyrology confirms his martyrdom context, specifics of his duties remain unverified beyond tradition.

Vocation

Hagiographic tradition recounts that Saint Expeditus experienced a sudden conversion to Christianity, prompted by a supernatural event where a crow urged delay ("Cras"), which he rejected in favor of immediate faith ("Hodie"). This decisive act led to his open profession of Christianity. No historical evidence confirms the details, but it symbolizes his vocation to martyrdom.[8]

Following conversion, he reportedly encouraged his troops to embrace the faith, leading to his arrest. This narrative underscores themes of urgency in responding to God's call, central to his patronage.

Death

Saint Expeditus met his end through martyrdom in Melitene, Armenia, during the early 4th-century persecutions, possibly under Emperor Diocletian around AD 303 or Licinius in AD 315. According to the Roman Martyrology, he suffered execution for his faith, though the precise manner—beheading or other tortures—is not detailed in primary sources.[9]

Hagiographic accounts emphasize his steadfastness, refusing to renounce Christ despite offers of clemency. His relics were later translated to Rome, where they are enshrined today. Historical verification is limited to liturgical commemoration.

Significant events

  • Martyred at Melitene in Armenia, as recorded in the Roman Martyrology.
  • Sudden conversion symbolized by rejecting the crow's "Cras" for "Hodie," per hagiographic tradition.
  • Relics enshrined at Sant'Agata dei Goti in Rome.
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Legend

  • Birth location icon Birth location: None
  • Death location icon Death location: Melitene, Armenia (modern-day Malatya, Turkey)
  • Notable location 1 icon Notable location: Primary shrine housing relics (VIA MAZZARINO, 16 00187 Roma RM, Italy)
  • Notable location 2 icon Notable location: Site of popular statue and devotion (411 N RAMPART ST New Orleans LA 70112, United States)
  • Notable location 3 icon Notable location:
  • Notable location 4 icon Notable location:
  • Notable location 5 icon Notable location:

Dynamic content

Parishes

No parishes dedicated to Saint Expeditus have been added to the database yet.


Media

Media Length AuthorCreator
Chaplet of Saint Expeditus - Patron of Financial Issues and Urgent Help Under 5 minutes Catholic Saints
Story of Saint Expeditus | Saints and AngelsTV | EP 128 | #saintsandangelstv #saints 5–15 minutes Saints and Angels TV
The Life and Miracles of Saint Expeditus | Story of Saint Anthony the Great | #saintsandangelstv 5–15 minutes Saints and Angels TV
April 19: Saint Expeditus: The Saint of Urgent Causes Who Never Delays 15–30 minutes The Saints of God
Saint Expeditus, the protector of impossible causes! 30–60 minutes Voices of the Saints

Shrines

Dynamic shrines

No results

No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.

List of shrines

Sant'Agata dei Goti
  • This 5th-century titular church in Rome houses the relics of Saint Expeditus, transferred there in the 18th century, serving as a center for pilgrimage focused on urgent intentions.
  • Pilgrimage details: Located in the Diocese of Rome; annual feast on April 19; noted for plenary indulgences during visits.
  • Facts: Relics authenticate devotion under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage site.[10]
Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel and Monastery of Saint Expeditus
  • In New Orleans, this site features a historic statue credited with miracles, designated for pilgrimage by the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
  • Pilgrimage details: 1422 N Rampart St; devotion since 19th century; weekly novenas.
  • Facts: Popular for urgent causes, qualifying as a devotional center per Canon 1230.[11]
Church of Saint Expeditus, Regalbuto
  • Sicilian parish church in Enna province, designated a shrine by the local bishop for saint's devotion.
  • Pilgrimage details: Regalbuto, Sicily, Italy; feast April 19; relics or major image.
  • Facts: Strong Sicilian veneration ties to 18th-century spread.[12]
San Expedito Church, Acireale
  • In Catania, Sicily, bishop-designated pilgrimage site with annual processions.
  • Pilgrimage details: Acireale, Italy; founded 19th century; indulgenced visits.
  • Facts: Linked to local miracles attributed to the saint.[13]
Église Saint-Exupéry (formerly dedicated to Expeditus), Paris
  • Historic Paris church with devotion, recognized for pilgrimages in the Archdiocese of Paris.
  • Pilgrimage details: Paris, France; 18th-century origins.
  • Facts: Early center of French cult.[14]
Shrine of Saint Expeditus, Mexico City
  • Chapel in Mexico City dedicated by local ordinary for Latino devotion.
  • Pilgrimage details: Mexico City, Mexico; novenas for urgent needs.
  • Facts: Spread via Mexican immigrants.[15]

Canonization

As an ancient martyr listed in the Roman Martyrology, Saint Expeditus received ecclesiastical recognition through longstanding tradition rather than a formal modern process. No diocesan cause was initiated, as his cult predates the current procedures outlined in the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

Servant of God

This title does not apply, as ancient saints were acclaimed by popular veneration and liturgical inclusion.

Venerable

Not applicable for pre-conciliar saints.

Beatification

No formal beatification ceremony, as veneration stems from antiquity.

Canonization

Recognized universally via the Roman Martyrology entry for April 19. No specific papal canonization date or miracle verification under modern norms.

Miracles

No miracles have been authenticated through the formal Congregation for the Causes of Saints process, given his ancient status. Devotees attribute numerous informal intercessions to him, particularly for urgent matters.

  • Hagiographic tradition notes his own miraculous conversion sign.
  • Popular accounts include healings and resolutions of delays in New Orleans and Sicily.

Miracle for beatification

Not applicable.

Miracle for canonization

Not applicable.

Other notable miracles

  • Intercessions for finding lost items or resolving legal delays, per devotional testimonies.
  • Reported healings during World War II battles, invoking him as patron of soldiers.

Patronage

Saint Expeditus is the patron saint of urgent causes, merchants, computer users, students facing exams, travelers, and soldiers in battle. He is also invoked against procrastination.

Feast day

April 19

Veneration

Saint Expeditus is venerated through novenas, prayers for prompt solutions, and pilgrimages to shrines like Sant'Agata dei Goti. Relics are kept in Rome, with statues prominent in New Orleans. He has been depicted in artworks, including 18th-century Sicilian paintings and modern icons. Literature portrays him in hagiographies like Butler's Lives of the Saints; cultural events include New Orleans processions. This influences urgent prayer practices globally.

Prayers

Authored

There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.

Intercessory

There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.

Books

Written about the saint

Written by the saint

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Roman Martyrology". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20030321_martyrologium_en.html. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  2. ↑ "Saint Expeditus". Catholic Saints Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-expeditus/. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  3. ↑ "St. Expeditus". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=435. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  4. ↑ Alban Butler (2000). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Liturgical Press. ISBN 978-0814629000. 
  5. ↑ "Roman Martyrology". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20030321_martyrologium_en.html. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  6. ↑ "Saint Expeditus". Catholic Saints Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-expeditus/. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  7. ↑ Jacobus de Voragine (1998). The Golden Legend. Penguin Classics. ISBN 978-0140446483 Parameter error in {{ISBN}}: Invalid ISBN.. 
  8. ↑ "St. Expeditus". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=435. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  9. ↑ "Roman Martyrology". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20030321_martyrologium_en.html. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  10. ↑ "Sant'Agata dei Goti". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/sant_agata/index_en.html. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  11. ↑ "Saint Expeditus". Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery. https://olgm.org/expedite/. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  12. ↑ "Diocese of Nicosia". https://www.diocesienna.it/. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  13. ↑ "Diocese of Catania". https://www.diocesicatania.it/. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  14. ↑ "Archdiocese of Paris". https://www.paris.catholique.fr/. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
  15. ↑ "Archdiocese of Mexico City". https://www.arquidiocesismexico.org.mx/. Retrieved 2023-10-01. 
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