St. Expeditus

St. Expeditus, a Roman centurion, was martyred during the Diocletian Persecution around April 303 in Melitene, now part of Turkey. He is documented in the Hieronymian Martyrology as one of six Roman soldiers executed at Melitene during this period, likely a member of the Legio XII Fulminata. The name "Expeditus" is Latin for a soldier without a marching pack, which might refer to his profession rather than a personal name.St. Expeditus is venerated as the patron saint of urgent causes, emergencies, and procrastinators. His feast day is celebrated on April 19. Despite the lack of detailed historical evidence about his life, his cult began in the Middle Ages in Turin, Italy, and grew significantly across Europe and other regions. However, his name was removed from the official list of martyrs by Pope Pius X in 1905.Today, St. Expeditus remains a popular figure, especially in regions like Réunion and Latin America, where devotees seek his intercession for immediate assistance. His legacy is marked by the rapid resolution of desperate situations attributed to his miracles, reflecting his association with swift assistance. Despite the absence of a formal canonization date, his feast day was officially recognized in 2001.