SAINT FEAST DAY 17 JULY: ST ALEXIS OF ROME

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JULY

Saints celebrated on the 17th of July

WELCOME!

SAINT ALEXIS OF ROME, PILGRIM

Saint Alexis (Alexius) is a perfect model of the most generous contempt of the world. He was the only son of a rich senator of Rome, born and educated in that capital, in the fifth century. From the charitable example of his pious parents he learned, from his tender years, that the riches which are given away to the poor, remain with us for ever. And whilst yet a child, not content to give all he could, he left nothing unattempted to compass or solicit the relief of all whom he saw in distress. The more he enlarged his views of eternity, and raised his thoughts and desires to the bright scene of immortal bliss, the more did he daily despise all earthly toys; for, when once the soul is thus upon the wing, and soars upwards,  how does she contemn the empty pageantry of all that worldlings call great!   

  HE SECRETLY WITHDREW

Fearing lest the distraction of temporal honours he entertained thoughts of renouncing the advantages of his birth. Having, in compliance with the will of his parents, married a rich and virtuous lady, he on the very day of the nuptials, making use of the liberty which the laws of God and his church give a person before the marriage be consummated, of preferring a more perfect state, secretly withdrew, in order to break all the ties which held him in the world. 

HE WAS RECEIVED AS A POOR PILGRIM

In disguise he travelled into a distant country, embraced extreme poverty, and resided in a hut adjoining to a church dedicated to the Mother of God. Being, after some time there, discovered to be a stranger of distinction, he returned home, and being received as a poor pilgrim, lived some time unknown in his father’s house, bearing the contumely and ill treatment of the servants with invincible patience and silence. 

HE LIVED UNKNOWN IN HIS FATHER'S HOUSE

A little before he died, he by a letter discovered himself to his parents. He flourished in the reign of the emperor Honorius, Innocent I being bishop of Rome [in A.D. 402]. His interment was celebrated with the greatest pomp by the whole city of Rome, on Aventin Hill. His body was found there in 1216, in the ancient church of St Boniface, whilst Honorius III. sat in St Peter’s chair. 

RATHER TO BE ADMIRED THAN IMITATED

The extraordinary paths in which the Holy Ghost is pleased sometimes to conduct certain privileged souls are rather to be admired than imitated. If it cost them so much to seek humiliations, how diligently ought we to make a good use of those at least which providence sends us! It is only by humbling ourselves on all occasions that we can walk in the path of true humility, and root out of our hearts all secret pride. Pride always remains even for the most perfect principally to fight against; and unless we watch continually against it, nothing will remain sound or untainted in our lives; this vice will creep even into our best actions, infect the whole circle of our lives, and become a main spring of all the motions of our heart; and what is the height of our misfortune, the deeper its wounds are, the more is the soul stupified by its venom, and the less capable is she of feeling her most grievous disease and spiritual death. 

From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints 

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Alexis may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.