April 19 is the day of the celebration of San Expeditobut every 19th of each month he is remembered, and parishes throughout the country are filled with people who pray to him, venerate him, ask him for protection and help and thank him for his divine help.
Saint Expedite does not appear in the Roman Martyrology, which is the book or catalog where all the Saints and Martyrs recognized by the Catholic Church appear, with the dates of their festive celebration. But people love him.
He is known as the saint who never fails when desperation, urgency and the impossible arise. The Catholic Church does not register him on the list of canonized saints, but considers him a “traditional Saint.”
In Buenos Aires, The Church that gathers the most faithful on the 19th is the Nuestra Señora de Balvanera Parish, which is located at 2411 Bartolomé Miter Street, in the Once neighborhood.
San Expedito: its history, origin and image
If you have not yet heard of this Saint, we will tell you some things about his history, his origin and the causes for which he intercedes.
The story of Saint Expedite
Saint Expeditus was a Roman soldier from the 4th century. He defended the eastern borders of the territories invaded by the Romans against the attacks of the Huns.
When he decided to become a Christian, his conversion was a very quick, “expeditious” process, which gave rise to his name.
At the time of the ceremony for conversion to Christianity, a crow (which is the representation of the devil) appeared before him to dissuade him. Expedito answered “Hodie hodie hodie!”, which means ‘today!’, and then crushed the crow with his left foot.
The site says that after his conversion to faith, Expeditus began to preach to his troops, and the emperor Dioclesan became enraged and ordered him to be killed. He was brutally flogged and then decapitated with a sword on April 19, which is the date taken to remember him.
Your image
The figure represented in images, prints and paintings of San Expedito stands out for the following:
- He is dressed in his soldier’s tunic.
- On the cross he lifts he has the word “Hodie” written (which means TODAY, which is the answer he gave to the crow).
- Under his foot is the crow he crushed.
- In other images he is stepping on a snake, which is another way the Bible represents the devil.
Name’s origin
Its name comes from a military connotation. The word “Expedite” derives from the Latin “expeditus” and means “to be free from all obstacles and ready to act.”
In ancient Rome, this referred to the transport of soldiers without their loads, only with their weapons. In other words, they did it expediti or in expeditionem.
Saint Expedite: the patron saint of urgent causes
Saint Expedite is the patron of several causes, but the best known is that he intercedes for just and urgent causes. Furthermore, his followers assure that:
- He is an advocate of impossible causes, a cause also shared by Saint Rita and Saint Jude Thaddeus.
- He is protector of the military.
- He is a protector of the students.
- He is a protector of the young.
- He is protector of travelers.
- He is the patron saint of overly prolonged legal cases.
Prayer of Saint Expedite
Sovereign Saint Expeditus,
the lifeguard par excellence of just and urgent causes,
intercede on my behalf before God the almighty father,
to help me in these moments of despair
and solemn anguish.
Sovereign Saint Expeditus,
you who are the holy warrior, the faithful servant of God.
You who are the Saint of the afflicted,
the Saint of urgent cases,
Give me your protection, help me,
Give me your virtues and strengthen me with
courage, bravery, calm, serenity and strength.
Heed my plea
(Make your request with faith).
Sovereign Saint Expeditus,
Help me overcome these complicated circumstances.
Protect me from every threat, every danger,
of people and spirits that seek to harm me
Take care of my family, friends and brothers.
Heed my plea promptly.
Bring peace to my being and my home again,
that one day gave us peace of mind to live.
Sovereign Saint Expeditus!
I thank you eternally, I will always praise you
and I will spread your name among all those who want someone like you,
a saint who hears and attends urgently.
Amen.