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Sebastian Torres Sainthood Biography

Saint Sebastian of Lyon was born in 1761 in the inland French city of Lyon. He was born to two Italian immigrants and could speak French and some Italian. His family that was very poor and instead of having a early education, he had to steal on the street to support his family. Eventually his father forced Sebastian into getting an education to support his family in much better ways than he could normally. Even though he was not educated Sebastian had learned to read on the streets and by reading his father's Bible. This allowed him to quickly catch up to other kids his age. His father, a mathematician by trade but an outdoors man by nature inspired him and played a large role in affecting Sebastian's future personality. Being an academic, He was accepted to the University of Paris in 1779 at the age of 18.

While he was studying at the University of Paris, Sebastian of Lyon performed his first miracle. A meeting of all the most prestigious doctors was held in 1782 at the University of Paris. During the meeting an assassin burst into the room and shot one of the doctors in the neck. This event is also thought to prefigure his second miracle. To this day the identity and motive of this seemingly random assassin has never been uncovered. Knowing he was a lost cause the doctors gave up on trying to save him. Saint Sebastian who was outside the hall were the meeting was taking place, went inside to see what all the noise was. Finding the dying doctor, Sebastian laid his hands on his neck and miraculously the doctor open his eyes and said to him, //"Vous me l'avez sauve de la mort lui-meme." - You have saved me from death himself.// These famous words were eventually engraved on the walls of Saint Sebastian's original tomb in Paris and also gave him the nickname of "//Guerrier de la Mort" - Warrior of Death.//

At the age of 24 he joined the French army serving under Pierre-Augustin Hulin. He was most famous for his participation and leadership in the Storming of the Bastille in July 1789 during the French Revolution. He displayed his bravery and leadership by carrying the wounded civilians that were shot while the prison was being stormed. In the confusion of the siege he was shot 3 times. Left behind and alone, he saved the lives of the women and children that were also injured during the gunfire. The lives of the people he saved later spread his story and recorded it so that everyone can remember his courageous deed. He died of exhaustion carrying a mother of three that had her leg crushed from the mob. His impossible feat of carrying injured civilians while shot three times is considered a miracle. His Feast Day is the 14th of July to commemorate the day of the Storming of the Bastille. This day is also called Bastille day in France to remember a major turning point in the French Revolution.

His third and final miracle took place post-mortem at the site of his original burial. Minutes after he was buried at his original burial place in Paris, France, a beacon of light appeared above his tomb and shot up to the clouds. The beacon stayed for three days and three nights and even was noticeably bright during the day. It is believed that the light shone once for ever time he was shot. Legend states that the area where the beacon once stood has mystical properties including inducing good fortune, healing wounds and illnesses, and fighting off spirits.

Saint Sebastian of Lyon is the patron saint of gun shot wounds because of his miracle that occurred during the Storming of the Bastille in July 1789. His symbol is a shield with a skull on it to signify the nickname he was given in his early years, Warrior of Death. He was buried under Bastille, now a popular tourist destination in France called Place de Bastille. 93 years after his death a grave robber found his way into his tomb and stole parts of his body and the expensive gifts the people of Paris gifted him after his death. In 1889, 100 years after his death, Saint Sebastian of Lyon was reburied at an undisclosed location to prevent further damage to his remains. He was canonized in 1921 by Pope Benedict XV. Two statues of Saint Sebastian stand in France. One in his hometown of Lyon and the other on the site of his death at Bastille. The story of his bravery, selflessness, loyalty, and faith have been recorded in the book called //"Saint -Sébastien de Lyon : Guerrier de la Mort - Saint Sebastian de Lyon: Warrior of Death."//

Events Leading up to His Sainthood
 * 1) His first miracle at the University of Paris where he saved a doctor, who had been shot in the neck, from probable death.
 * 2) His second miracle at the Storming of Bastille where he carried the injured away from the fight while being shot three times.
 * 3) His third and final miracle at his burial site where a beacon of light shone for three days above his tomb.

Events in his Early Life
 * 1) Born in Lyon, France.
 * 2) Stole on the streets to support his family.
 * 3) Learned to read on the streets and with his Father's Bible.
 * 4) Inspired by his father, he became an academic and studied at the University of Paris.
 * 5) Joined the French Army, serving under Pierre-Augustin Hulin.