Feast of Sant’Espedito di Melitene

Sant'Espedito di Melitene, ora pro nobis

April 19th is the Feast of Sant’Espedito di Melitene, Centurion and Martyr. Widely venerated throughout Southern Italy, he is the patron saint of merchants and sailors. He is also invoked against procrastination, and desperate and urgent causes.

According to tradition, Sant’Espedito was a Roman centurion in Melitene, Armenia who converted to Christianity. The Devil, in the form of a crow, attempted to delay his conversion by repeatedly cawing cras, which is Latin for “tomorrow.” Resisting the Evil One’s temptation he defiantly stomped on the bird, proclaiming Hodie, Latin for “Today.”

Sant’Espedito was beheaded for the Faith during the Diocletian persecutions in 303 AD.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Expeditus. Pictured is my makeshift shrine dedicated to the saint. Evviva Sant’Espedito!

Prayer to St. Expeditus

St. Expeditus honored by the gratitude of those who have invoked thee at the last hour and for pressing cases, we pray thee to obtain from the all powerful goodness of God, by the intercession of Mary Immaculate, (today or such a dav) the grace we solicit with all submission to the Divine Will. Amen.