January 20
St Fabian and St Sebastian
Feast shown for the year 2027; movable feasts can vary from year to year.
On January 20th, the Church commemorates both St Fabian, Pope and Martyr, and St Sebastian, Martyr. St Fabian was elected Bishop of Rome in the third century, a time when the Church was enduring cycles of persecution and relative peace under various Roman emperors. A layman when chosen as Pope, Fabian's election is remembered for its account of a dove descending upon his head, a sign of divine favor, and he guided the Church with wisdom until his martyrdom during the Decian persecution around the year 250. Fabian is honored as a shepherd who laid down his life for his flock and who helped strengthen the early organizational structure of the Church.
St Sebastian, also commemorated on this day, was a Roman soldier reputed for his courage and his steadfast Christian faith. According to ancient sources and longstanding tradition, Sebastian secretly supported persecuted Christians and converted many, including other soldiers. His sufferings—commonly depicted as being tied to a stake and shot with arrows, yet surviving this ordeal—symbolize endurance and hope amid adversity. After his ultimate martyrdom, he became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages, especially invoked against plague.
The Church celebrates St Fabian and St Sebastian to honor their undaunted faith, their witness to Christ even unto death, and their encouragement to the faithful of every age to remain steadfast in times of trial. Their lives and examples continue to inspire Christians to courage and fidelity.
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Liturgical texts of January 20, 2027
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingHe 7, 1-3.15-17
Brothers,
Melchizedek was king of Salem,
priest of God Most High;
he went to meet Abraham
when he was returning from his expedition against the kings;
he blessed him,
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had taken.
First, Melchizedek has a name
that means "king of justice";
then he is king of Salem, that is, king "of peace",
and about him there is no mention
of father or mother, or ancestors,
of a beginning of existence or an end of life;
this makes him resemble the Son of God:
he remains a priest forever.
Things are even much clearer
if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek
and becomes priest,
not according to a legal requirement of human descent,
but by the power of an indestructible life.
For here is the witness of Scripture:
You are a priest according to the order of Melchizedek
forever.
– The word of the Lord.
Psalm109 (110), 1, 2, 3, 4
Oracle of the Lord to my lord:
"Sit at my right hand,
and I will make your enemies
a footstool for your throne."
From Zion, the Lord gives you
the scepter of your power:
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
On the day your power appears,
you are prince, dazzling in holiness:
"Like the dew born of the dawn,
I have begotten you."
The Lord has sworn
with an irrevocable oath:
"You are a priest forever
according to the order of King Melchizedek."
GospelMc 3, 1-6
At that time,
Jesus again entered a synagogue;
there was a man there whose hand was withered.
They were watching Jesus
to see if he would heal him on the sabbath.
They did this so that they could accuse him.
He said to the man with the withered hand:
"Stand up here in the middle."
And addressing the others:
"Is it lawful on the sabbath
to do good or to do harm?
to save a life or to kill?"
But they remained silent.
Then, casting a look of anger at them,
distressed at the hardness of their hearts,
he said to the man:
"Stretch out your hand."
He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Once outside,
the Pharisees began to plot with the Herodians against Jesus,
to see how they might destroy him.
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org