Born of a poor family in Spain in 1502, Sebastian hired himself out to farmers to help support his family. But then, he found that his good looks were drawing scores of young women. To elude them, he sailed for America, settled in Puebla, Mexico, where he went into the business of making plows and wagons, running a freight service and building roads. He built the main road running between Zacatecas and Mexico City, and it is still in use today. He became wealthy, but lived a simple, austere life, giving most of his money away. At the age of 60, he was persuaded to marry a virtuous young woman; when she died, he married again. But neither marriage, by mutual consent, was ever consummated. After the death of his second wife, he gave all is property to the Poor Clares and he became a Franciscan. He spent the last 26 years of his life as a begging brother. Like St. Francis of Assisi, he had a way with wild animals, and could make even wild beasts obey him with a mere movement of his lips. He died at the age of 98. Witnesses have testified to more than 300 miracles worked by him during his lifetime.

MODEL: His love for animals, if not his love for women.

Lofty goals. If you were born on February 25, you only seem to reach your zenith when working for a higher cause. Ruled by the number 7 and the planet Neptune, you are very involved with mystical and religious realms.

The universal good. You have good confidence and self-respect, but believe that universal goals have more meaning than personal ones. You also believe that by tapping into a higher power your own will be amplified.

Young rebel. You often get into scrapes with those around you because you see society in chaos without any clear mores or deep commitments. As a child, you frequently rebelled against parents, teachers and other authority figures when you perceived a great injustice.

Not afraid of commitment. Later in life, February 25 people like yourself usually strengthen their commitment. It may be art, philosophy, religion or your own idea of human utopia. Once you develop a deep interest of this kind, you will devote more and more time to it. You may abandon your existing life completely, but you would be happier if you built on it instead.

Not an elitist. You may take on a regal bearing in your actions yet you don't adopt a condescending attitude. The most mature of February 25 people are thus able to share their high ideals and sense of purpose with others. Less evolved individuals may fail to communicate, because others feel as though they are simply posturing. Your happiness may be directly related to your ability to communicate without arousing antagonism.

Some Advice : Be sensitive to the wishes and beliefs of others. Don't cram your beliefs down others throats. Worry about improving yourself and not about who admires you.

Also born on this day:
Renoir (French painter) Enrico Caruso (Italian tenor) Meher Baba (Indian mystic) Anthony Burgess (British novelist) Dame Myra Hess (German-British pianist) Adelle Davis (nutritionist) George Harrison (Beatles guitarist) John Foster Dulles (secretary of state) Herb Elliot (Australian gold medal miler) Lee Evans (US gold medal, 400 meter) David Puttnam (British film director) Gert Frobe (German actor)