“The Catholic religion is the faith of all ages. I fear not death.”- St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Fidelis was born in 1577 in Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, modern-day Germany and he was given the name Mark Rey. In addition to attending the University of Freiburg, Mark had a brief career as a private tutor. He returned to the university eventually, and sometime around 1611, he graduated with a law degree.

Even though Mark had already demonstrated his dedication to God and studied both civil and canon law, he chose to pursue a secular career as an attorney. Because of his empathy for the underprivileged, he became renowned as "the poor man's lawyer" in less than a year. He was repulsed by the dishonest practices of his chosen field almost immediately.

Mark decided to devote his entire life to serving Christ and the Church, quitting his legal business. Soon after, he was ordained as a priest and became a member of the Freiburg Capuchin Franciscan order.

He was given the name "Fidelis," which means "faithful," upon joining the order. This name was inspired by Jesus Christ's words in the Book of Revelation, "Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Fidelis gave his estate to a scholarship fund for underprivileged seminarians, who also received his books, as he embraced severe poverty and simplicity.

Fidelis demonstrated his love for God by fasting and prayer, and his love for his neighbors by writing, preaching, and celebrating the sacraments. He was highly regarded for his work among Austrian soldiers who were afflicted by a plague outbreak and for his special attention to the sick and impoverished.

In 1614, a Swiss Catholic bishop approached the Capuchins for assistance in reviving the faith and halting the rise of Calvinist Protestantism. Fidelis was dispatched on the mission in 1621. He only carried four things with him: a copy of the Capuchin rule, a Bible, a prayer book, and a crucifix.

For the Franciscan priest, the winter of 1621–1622 was a busy time for preaching, teaching, and doctrinal debate. He delivered sermons not only from Catholic church pulpits but also in public spaces and even at Calvinist gathering spots. In response, some Swiss Protestants became hostile, but many more were won back to the Church.

Fidelis' treatment at the hands of the Calvinists was not solely motivated by doctrinal dispute, as was the case with many other examples of religious persecution during this period. Tensions between cultures and countries also played a role; many Swiss Protestants believed the Catholic mission was part of an Austrian conspiracy against their country.

On April 24, 1622, Fidelis' preaching sparked a disturbance at a church in the village of Seewis, escalating an already dangerous situation. A would-be assassin shot at the priest, and the commotion claimed the lives of several Austrian soldiers.

Fidelis was forced to choose between his life and his Catholic beliefs by a mob outside the church after turning down a Protestant's offer of assistance.

St. Fidelis was killed by stabbing and beating on 24 April 1622 at Grusch, Grisons, Switzerland. However, one of the Protestant preachers who led the mob is claimed to have been converted by seeing his martyrdom. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIII on 21 March 1729 and canonized on 29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV.

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