Fidelis of Sigmaringen, O.F.M. Cap. (1577 - 1622), was a Capuchin friar who was a major figure in the Counter-Reformation, and was murdered by his opponents at Seewis im Prättigau, now part of Switzerland. He was born Mark Roy in Sigmaringen, a town in modern day Germany. After earning the degree of Doctor of Law, he practiced law as an advocate in Alsace where he came to be known as the ‘poor man’s lawyer’. Upon entering the Capuchin order, he was given the name Fidelis.

Reflection: Jesus makes no ambiguity of his identity. He reveals: “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30). The people who don’t want to believe will never believe. The Jews who came to Jesus for clarification actually had enough and more signs and indications about who he was. But they had hardened their heart not to believe. Their pride did not permit them to accept Jesus as Messiah. Therefore Jesus says: “You don’t believe because you don’t belong to my sheep” (Jn 10:26). It was not Jesus who excluded them from his flock but it was their unbelief that disqualified them from belonging to Jesus. The first reading is the story of many people including the gentiles becoming the flock of Jesus by believing in him.