Saint Expeditus

Ancient martyrologies list Expeditus among Christians martyred at Melitene, in Roman Armenia (today eastern Turkey), around the year 303, during the persecution of Diocletian. Tradition remembers him as a commander of a Roman legion. Beyond his name, place and martyrdom, little is known for certain about his life.

According to the legend behind his image, when Expeditus decided to become a Christian the devil appeared as a crow crying "Cras!" ("Tomorrow!" in Latin) to make him delay. Expeditus crushed the crow under his foot and answered "Hodie!" ("Today!"), holding up a cross. That is why he is invoked for causes that cannot wait.

Devotion to San Expedito is huge in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico and among Latin Americans in the United States. Devotees pray his novena for urgent needs, such as work, exams, paperwork, money or health, and give thanks with red flowers and by spreading prayer cards.

He is shown as a young Roman soldier with a palm of martyrdom and a cross reading "Hodie", stepping on a crow.