Pope Saint Alexander I

statue of Pope Saint Alexander I, 1864 by E Amadori; Porta Pia, Rome, Italy; photographed on 14 January 2015 by Livioandronico2013; swiped from Wikimedia Commons Also known as

Alessandro I

Memorial

3 May

Profile

Roman citizen. Pope in the reign of Emperor Trajan. Baptized Saint Balbina of Rome. He inserted in the Canon of the Mass the words commemorative of the institution of the Eucharist beginning “Qui pridie”. Introduced the use of blessing water mixed with salt for the purification of Christian homes from evil influences. Martyr. While in prison awaiting execution, he converted the criminals who became the Martyrs of Ostia.

Born

probably Rome, Italy

Papal Ascension

between 106 and 109 (sources vary)

Died

burned and beheaded 3 May between 113 and 119 (sources vary on the year) on the Via Nomentana in Rome, Italy
relics transferred to Freising in Bavaria in 834