Skip to content

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

St. Alphege of Canterbury

Facts

Feastday: April 19
Patron: of Greenwich; Solihull; kidnap victims
Birth: 954
Death: 1012
Canonized: 1078 Rome by Pope Gregory VII

Author and Publisher - Catholic Online
Printable Catholic Saints PDFs
Shop St. Alphege of Canterbury

Image of St. Alphege of Canterbury Alphege began his religious life in the English monastery of Deerhurst, but subsequently withdrew to live as a hermit near Bath. Thereafter he resumed community life, entering the Bath monastery and becoming its abbot. At the early age of thirty, he was consecrated bishop of Winchester. So great was his generosity to the poor that beggars were nowhere to be found in his diocese. Subsequently he was elevated to England's primatial see of Canterbury. When in 1011 Canterbury was overrun by Danish invaders, who began to slaughter the townspeople, the archbishop presented himself to the Danes, declaring, "Spare those poor innocent victims. Turn your fury rather against me." Alphege was thereupon consigned to a dungeon. Afterward, an epidemic among the Danes frightened them into releasing him. Newly freed, Alphege obtained the healing of many victims of the epidemic by his prayers and by distributing to them blessed bread. Despite this, the Danes later stoned and axed him to death in Greenwich. But eleven years later, it was to be a Danish king, Canute, who would honorably transfer Alphege's body to Canterbury.

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Prayer of the Day logo
Saint of the Day logo

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.