Saint Alexius, Confessor
S. Alexii Confessoris
Saint Alexius, known to tradition as the “Man of God,” is venerated as a Roman of noble birth who renounced his wealth to live in poverty and obscurity for the love of Christ.
Saint Alexius is honoured by the Church on the seventeenth of July, and his memory has been cherished with great affection in both the East and the West. His veneration is very ancient and is anchored at the church on the Aventine Hill in Rome that bears his name, where his relics are venerated together with those of Saint Boniface.
The “Man of God”
The story handed down of Saint Alexius tells of a young man of a wealthy Roman family who, drawn by the love of God, left behind his home and inheritance to live as a poor pilgrim and beggar, unknown and unhonoured, that he might serve God in hiddenness and detachment from the world. According to the tradition, he died in obscurity, and only afterward was his identity and his holiness made known.
The Church is candid that the written life of Saint Alexius belongs to a class of devout narratives whose historical details cannot be confirmed, and which appear to have come to Rome from the Christian East. What can be said with confidence is that a holy ascetic was venerated under this name from early times, that his cultus spread widely through Christendom, and that the example held up in his story — the free embrace of poverty and lowliness for the sake of Christ — has nourished the devotion of the faithful for many centuries.
His witness today
However much of the narrative belongs to the manner of its telling, the figure of Saint Alexius has spoken powerfully to Christians of every age: the rich young man who, unlike the one in the Gospel, gave up all to follow the Lord, and who chose to be nothing in the eyes of the world that he might be wholly God’s. The collect of his feast asks that we who keep his heavenly birthday may also imitate his example — a prayer that the spirit of detachment and humble love he embodies may take root in our own lives.
The Collect
O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly solemnity of blessed Alexius thy Confessor: mercifully grant; that we who keep his heavenly birthday may also imitate his deeds.
Deus, qui nos beáti Aléxii Confessóris tui ánnua solemnitáte lætíficas: concéde propítius; ut, cujus natalítia cólimus, étiam actiónes imitémur.
Patronage
He is venerated as a patron of pilgrims and beggars, and is honoured at the ancient church of Saints Boniface and Alexius on the Aventine Hill in Rome.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar this feast is no longer kept on the universal calendar.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Alexius?
His feast is kept on 17 July in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a Fourth Class feast.
Who was Saint Alexius?
By ancient tradition he was a Roman of noble birth who gave up his wealth to live in poverty and obscurity as a beggar and pilgrim for the love of Christ, and who was honoured as a saint after his death. He is called the “Man of God.”
How much of his story is certain?
The Church honours Saint Alexius for the holiness venerated under his name from early times and for the example of poverty and humility his story sets forth. It also acknowledges candidly that the written details of his life cannot be confirmed by history, and so venerates him soberly, without claiming more than is known.
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