April 19: Saint Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury

Today, April 19, we remember Saint Alphege (953-1012), Archbishop of Canterbury and martyr of the Church, on his feast day. Born near Bath, England, Alphege entered religious life early on, giving up his inheritance, and leaving his widowed mother to enter the monastery at Deerhurst Abbey in Gloucestershire. There, known for his austerity, piety, and sense of justice, he attracted the attention of his brethren, who recognized his holiness. Alphege separated himself from the community, living as an anchorite for many years in seclusion, before accepting the position of abbot at Bath Abbey. From there, he was appointed Bishop of Winchester, during which he greatly expanded the range and congregation of the Church, building grand cathedrals and calling many to Christ. Further, he peacefully negotiated several treaties between warring Viking, Danish, and English factions, converting some of the pagan raiders and their leaders. As a result, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1006.

In 1011, Danish war parties again invaded England, overrunning the country, and laying siege to Canterbury. Saint Alphege, along with many other political and Church officials, were captured and held for ransom. While most of the ransoms were paid, Alphege would not allow his own (a staggering sum in those days) to be paid, as he recognized that his congregation did not have the money required. He preferred to suffer for his people than have them suffer to meet an unreasonable demand.

Alphege languished in prison for many months. During that time, he is said to have miraculously healed many of the sick Danes by feeding them blessed bread. His imprisonment continued until the Danes, after a night of drinking and banqueting, again brought him before their leader demanding payment. When he refused, they first bludgeoned him with large bones remaining from their feast. He was subsequently martyred by an axeman. From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, written at the time:

“Then on the Saturday was the army much stirred against the bishop; because he would not promise them any fee, and forbade that any man should give anything for him. They were also much drunken; for there was wine brought them from the south. Then took they the bishop, and led him to their hustings, on the eve of the Sunday after Easter, which was the thirteenth before the calends of May; and there they then shamefully killed him. They overwhelmed him with bones and horns of oxen; and one of them smote him with an axe-iron on the head; so that he sunk downwards with the blow; and his holy blood fell on the earth, whilst his sacred soul was sent to the realm of God.”

Saint Alphege was the first Archbishop of Canterbury to suffer a violent death. Considered a martyr for dying upholding the Christian virtue of justice. Saint Anselm, wrote of Alphege, saying, "Alphege was a martyr for justice, as John the Baptist was a martyr for truth". His remains were buried in London, but then translated years later to Canterbury. Following a great fire in Canterbury, the saint’s remains were again moved, at this time found to be incorrupt. They lay in repose on the high alter of Canterbury Cathedral.

Saint Alphege is not a traditional martyr in the sense that he did not die because of his proclamations of the Christian faith, or his unwillingness to renounce it. Rather, he died for living his faith obediently, with a sense of justice and love for his people, and sacrifice to ensure the well-being of many. Like Christ, in death, he became ransom for the people of his Church. Today, on his feast day, we might take a moment to reflect on the actions of our own lives—how obediently are we living our beliefs? Do our actions match our words? Do they reflect our Creed?

O loving God, whose martyr bishop Alphege of Canterbury suffered violent death because he refused to permit a ransom to be extorted from his people: Grant, we pray thee, that all pastors of thy flock may pattern themselves on the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep; through him who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever.


Day 109 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Obedience; Courage to live our faith; For those wrongly imprisoned.
Requested Intentions: Financial security and employment (A); For financial security (M); Health and recovery of Cardinal Sean Brady (R); Healing from a chronic illness (J); Deepening of faith and true conversion for a family (J); Successful employment (H); Restoration of a marriage (J); For a friend’s daughter, seeking medical treatment for a blood disorder (D); For the grace and conversion of a loved one (Z); For a beloved son’s return to the faith (A); For the improved health and recovery of a mother (G); For health, blessings, and protection (K); For an improvement in a difficult employment situation (T); For a family member’s recovery from surgery (D); For the victims of an automobile accident (D); For peace of mind and health (J); For the love of a romantic partner (S).