Celebrations across the city mark the Day of Saint Sebastian, patron saint of Rio

The acting mayor of Rio, Eduardo Cavaliere, participated in celebrations this Monday (20/01) in honor of Saint Sebastian, patron saint of Rio de Janeiro.

The celebrations began at the São Sebastião de Quintino Parish, in the North Zone, with the traditional dawn and a mass led by priests Fábio Escobar and Jorge Lutz.

— My first official day as acting mayor of Rio is on the day of our patron saint, Saint Sebastian. You can't think that these things happen by chance. Taking care of Rio is an honor. We remain steadfast, with the strength and protection of Saint Sebastian. Long live Saint Sebastian! — declared Cavaliere, during the ceremony, in Quintino.

The program continued in the morning with Cavaliere's participation in the mass of São Sebastião at Praça da Fé, in Bangu, and in the ceremony held at Rua do Papagaio, in Inhoaíba, in the West Zone.

In the afternoon, the acting mayor attended mass at the Basilica Sanctuary of Saint Sebastian of the Capuchin Friars, in Tijuca.

— May Saint Sebastian continue to protect the people of Rio, these hard-working, warrior people who are always looking forward with hope and strength – he emphasized.

Cavaliere then followed the traditional procession in honor of the saint, which began at the Sanctuary and headed to the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Archbishop of Rio, Cardinal Dom Orani Tempesta, was present at the event and reinforced his call for hope for all Cariocas, inspired by the example of Saint Sebastian.

— We are in the year of jubilee. We need to talk about hope, and Saint Sebastian is an example of hope. Of not getting discouraged, not losing faith. He is an example for the people of Rio, so that they may always have hope and continue to believe in Saint Sebastian, in fighting for good and peace – highlighted Dom Orani.

 

Who was Saint Sebastian?

Saint Sebastian was a Christian soldier, born in Milan, Italy, around the 3rd century, although there are versions that he was born in Narbonne, France.
In the Roman ranks, Saint Sebastian came to be considered one of Emperor Diocletian's favorite officers. However, he never stopped being a convinced and active Christian.
Denounced for this, he was sentenced to death. Tied to a tree trunk, he was shot with arrows, but he survived.
Having recovered, he showed courage and presented himself once again to the emperor, rebuking him for the injustices committed against Christians and accusing him of being an enemy of the state. Perplexed by such audacity, Diocletian ordered his guards to flog him to death on January 20, 288.

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