Saint Alexander Briant

Biography

Saint Alexander Briant was born in 1556 in Somersetshire, England. He came from a yeoman family and was described as a handsome young man. Alexander was raised as a Protestant but later converted to Catholicism. After his conversion, he studied at Oxford before deciding to pursue his vocation as a priest. He went to the English College in Rheims, France, where he furthered his education and training. On 29 March 1578, he was ordained as a priest. In August 1579, Alexander returned to Somersetshire, England, as a missionary. He dedicated himself to spreading the Catholic faith, despite the risks involved in such activities during this time of religious persecution. However, on 28 April 1581, he was arrested in London at the home of Father Robert Persons, a fellow Catholic priest. Following his arrest, Alexander was taken to the Tower of London, where he was subjected to torture. The captors were particularly interested in obtaining information regarding the whereabouts of Father Robert Persons. Despite the immense suffering he endured, Alexander never yielded to the pressure and did not reveal any information. During his time in prison, Alexander sought solace in his faith. He crafted a small wooden cross, which he held tightly at all times, even during his trial. In the courtroom, the cross was forcibly taken from him, but Alexander defiantly declared to the judge, "You can take it out of my hands, but not out of my heart." In his final weeks in prison, Alexander wrote to the Jesuits, expressing his desire to join their order. They accepted him, and he became a Jesuit shortly before his martyrdom. On 16 November 1581, Alexander, along with six other priests, including Saint Ralph Sherwin and Saint Edmund Campion, was condemned to death for the crime of priesthood. They were accused of treason under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Alexander was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, England, on 1 December 1581. Despite the brutal execution, Alexander remained steadfast in his faith and courageously accepted his martyrdom. He became one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, whose courage and sacrifice are celebrated by the Catholic Church. During his time in prison, Alexander's small wooden cross was seized by the authorities. However, devout Catholics later acquired the cross, and it is currently housed at the English College in Rome. Saint Alexander Briant is remembered and honored on various feast days. He is celebrated on 1 December, 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai, and 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University. His virtuous life and martyrdom were recognized by the Catholic Church, and he was beatified on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII. Saint Alexander Briant was later canonized on 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI. While Saint Alexander does not have a specific patronage, his life serves as an inspiration to all those who face persecution for their faith and a reminder of the enduring power of religious conviction.