Saint Alphege

"What reward can I hope for if I spend upon myself what belongs to the poor? Better give to the poor what is ours, then take from them the little which is their own."
- Saint Alphege (954 - 1012)

Today is the feast day of Saint Alphege. Alphege was born in 954, and became a monk at Deerhurst Monastery in Gloucester, England. After a few years, he asked to become a hermit, and was granted permission. He retired to a small hut close to Somerset, England, and gained some disciples. In 984, Alphege became the abbott of the abbey in Bath, which he and St. Dunstan founded. Many of his disciples from Somerset joined him at Bath. In the same year, Alphege became the bishop of Winchester, and continued to serve there for two decades. During his time there, he became known for his austere lifestyle and his care of the poor. In 994, King Aethelred used Alphege to mediate with the invading Danes. The Danish chieftain was converted to Christianity as a result of his meetings with Alphege, and vowed never to lead troops against Britain again. In 1005, Alphege became the archbishop of Canterbury, and received the pallium from Pope John XVIII in Rome, Italy. When he returned, the Danes were pillaging the countryside and captured him. The ransom for Alphege's release was about three thousand pounds and it went unpaid. Alphege himself refused to give the Danes that much. Alphege was then hit with an ax and beaten to death. He died in 1012. 

Saint Alphege, pray for us!

__________________________________________

Picture Of And Information About Saint Alphege Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1278

http://www.saintalphege.org.uk/4saint.html