Thread by @DouayRheims1

17th JULY: ST ALEXIS OF ROME

~thread~
1. St 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 in the fifth century. The more he enlarged his views of eternity
#StAlexisOfRome #SaintOfTheDay #Christian

2. and raised his thoughts and desires to the bright scene of immortal bliss, the more did he despise all the empty pageantry of all that worldlings call great!

Fearing the distraction of temporal honours he planned to renounce the advantages of his birth. #NotOfThisWorld

3. In disguise he travelled into a distant country, embraced extreme poverty, and resided in a hut adjoining to a church. After some time there he was discovered to be a stranger of distinction. Therefore he returned home, and being received as a poor pilgrim, lived some time

4. unknown in his father’s house, bearing the contumely and ill treatment of the servants with invincible patience and silence.

A little before he died, he by a letter discovered himself to his parents. He flourished in the reign of the emperor Honorius,

5. Innocent I being bishop of Rome [in 402 AD]. 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.
#humility

6.If it cost certain privileged souls so much to seek humiliations, how diligently ought we to make a good use of those at least which providence sends us! (Excerpts from Butler's "Lives of the Saints")

St Alexis is invoked by beggars,belt makers, nurses, pilgrims, travellers.