Saint Expedite

 

St. Expeditus (also known as St. Expedite) was a Roman centurion who, according to tradition, was martyred for his Christian faith during the Diocletianic Persecution around April 303 AD. Stationed in Melitene—present-day Turkey—he is believed to have served in the Legio XII Fulminata. It is said that while in Armenia, Expeditus embraced Christianity and soon faced execution for his conversion.

The Church venerates St. Expeditus as the patron saint of urgent causes, procrastinators, merchants, sailors, and students taking exams. His feast day is celebrated on April 19.

One of the most well-known legends about him recounts his conversion moment. As he resolved to accept Christ, the devil appeared to him in the form of a crow, urging him to delay his decision by crying out “Cras” (Latin for “tomorrow”). Expeditus, rejecting hesitation, crushed the crow underfoot and proclaimed, “Hodie!” (“Today!”), a declaration of his immediate and unwavering commitment to his faith.

In art, St. Expeditus is commonly portrayed as a Roman soldier holding a cross inscribed with “Hodie,” while a crow marked “Cras” lies beneath his feet.

Although the historical existence of St. Expeditus is uncertain, devotion to him began in the Middle Ages and spread widely across Europe, Latin America, and the island of Réunion. Faithful devotees call upon him for help in urgent situations, and numerous shrines and altars around the world are dedicated to his honor.

In 1905, Pope Pius X removed his name from the official list of martyrs due to doubts about his historical authenticity, yet popular devotion to St. Expeditus has never faded. To this day, he remains a symbol of decisiveness, encouraging believers to act promptly in faith and to trust in God’s providence without hesitation.