Saint Alexandre Sauli
Barnabite - évêque
d'Aléria en Corse, puis de Pavie (+ 1592)
Issu d'une noble famille génoise fixée à Milan, il reçut une excellente éducation humaniste. A 17 ans, il entre chez les Barnabites que venait de fonder Antoine Marie Zaccaria. Prêtre à 22 ans, il est professeur puis doyen de la faculté de théologie de Milan et supérieur de sa congrégation. Conseiller et père spirituel de saint Charles Borromée, il est nommé par saint Pie V, évêque d'Aleria en Corse. La Corse est en proie à des guerres qui opposent les Génois colonisateurs et les Corses qui veulent l'indépendance. Il consacre à ce pauvre diocèse vingt et un ans d'une intense activité pastorale. Ce fin lettré sait admirablement parler aux paysans. A Bastia, il ouvre un séminaire, secourt les pauvres, écrit un "catéchisme modèle". Un an avant sa mort, il est littéralement arraché à cette Corse qu'il aime pour rejoindre l'évêché de Pavie. Il meurt en léguant une grande part de sa fortune à la cathédrale de son ancien diocèse, au séminaire et aux pauvres de l'île.
Évêque d'Aléria, fêté le 11 octobre dans sa cathédrale de Cervione. Né le 15 février 1535 à Milan, il est nommé Évêque d'Aléria le 10 février 1570. Il entreprend aussitôt la réforme de son diocèse (vie et formation des prêtres, catéchismes...) dans le sillage du Concile de Trente. Dans le bref de béatification, le Pape Benoît XIV rend cet hommage à celui qui était devenu "Corso da sua voluntà": "Pendant vingt ans, ce ne fut pas seulement comme Évêque d'Aleria, mais comme apôtre de la Corse toute entière qu'il répandit ses salutaires enseignements et ses lois. Les mœurs furent amendées, le clergé ramené à sa première ferveur, les fidèles guidés dans la voie des commandements".
- litanies de Saint Alexandre Sauli, diocèse d'Ajaccio.
À Calosso d'Asti au Piémont, l'an 1592, le trépas de saint Alexandre Sauli,
évêque, d'abord d'Aléria en Corse, puis de Pavie. Membre de la Congrégation des
Clercs réguliers de Saint-Paul, il s'employa à soulager les pauvres avec une
admirable charité.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1999/Saint-Alexandre-Sauli.html
Carlo
Antonio Pozzi, Sant'Alessandro Sauli [1752]. Statua bronzea nella prima
cappella di destra della basilica di Santo Stefano, Milano. Foto di Giovanni Dall'Orto, 17 Giugno 2026.
Carlo Antonio Pozzi, Saint Alexander Sauli [1752]. Bronze statue in the first chapel on the rights side, in the basilica of Santo Stefano, Milan. Photo by Giovanni Dall'Orto, June 17 2026.
Carlo
Antonio Pozzi, Sant'Alessandro Sauli [1752]. Statua bronzea nella prima
cappella di destra della basilica di Santo Stefano, Milano. Foto di Giovanni Dall'Orto, 17 Giugno 2026.
Carlo
Antonio Pozzi, Saint Alexander Sauli [1752]. Bronze statue in the first chapel
on the rights side, in the basilica of Santo Stefano, Milan. Photo by Giovanni Dall'Orto, June 17 2026.
Alexandre Sauli
Barnabite, Évêque, Saint
+ 1592
La famille dont sortait Alexandre
Sauli était une des plus illustres de la Lombardie. Elle a produit plusieurs
grands hommes, entre autres des évêques et des cardinaux qui se sont distingués
par leurs talents et leur piété; on en voit encore les armes sur des hôpitaux
et des églises magnifiques.
Alexandre naquit à Milan
l'année même que fut fondée la congrégation des clercs réguliers, dits Barnabites.
Il parut, dès son enfance, prévenu des plus abondantes bénédictions du ciel.
Ses parents lui donnèrent des maîtres habiles, sous la conduite desquels il fit
de rapides progrès. Il étudia surtout la science des Saints à l'école de
l'esprit de Dieu, dont il écoutait les leçons avec une grande docilité.
Il se sentit de bonne
heure pénétré d'une grande horreur pour les divertissements profanes du siècle.
Un jour que le peuple était assemblé autour d'une troupe de comédiens, il
s'avança un crucifix à la main, et fit un discours si pathétique, que les
comédiens prirent la fuite. Le peuple entra dans les sentiments d'une vive
componction, et se retira les larmes aux yeux.
Quelque temps après, il
se consacra sans réserve au service de Dieu dans la congrégation des
Barnabites. Il endurcit son corps à la fatigue par les travaux et les veilles,
se livrant avec zèle au ministère de la parole et de la réconciliation. Il
avait un talent singulier pour toucher et convertir les pécheurs. Il continua
d'exercer les mêmes fonctions, même lorsqu'il eut été chargé d'enseigner la
philosophie et la théologie dans l'université de Pavie. On vit des communautés
entières se mettre sous sa conduite, afin d'apprendre de lui les moyens de
parvenir à la perfection de leur état. Ayant été invité à prêcher dans la
cathédrale de Milan, ses sermons produisirent des fruits merveilleux. Saint
Charles Borromée félicita l'Eglise d'avoir un pareil ministre, et versa des
larmes de joie à la vue des succès de son zèle apostolique.
Alexandre n'avait encore
que trente-deux ans lorsqu'il fut élu supérieur général de son ordre. Il
remplit cette place avec une capacité qui donna un nouvel éclat à sa congrégation
: mais Dieu ne l'avait pas destiné à vivre renfermé dans la retraite ;
l'île de Corse était le théâtre où devaient briller ses éminentes vertus.
Cette île avait été
anciennement convertie à la foi par des missionnaires venus de Rome. L'église d'Aléria
paraît être une des plus anciennes de celles qui y furent fondées. On connaît
principalement un de ses évêques, nommé Pierre. Il vivait du temps de saint
Grégoire-le-Grand, qui lui écrivit des lettres. Mais cette église était depuis
longtemps réduite dans l'état le plus déplorable ; il n'y avait plus de piété
ni de discipline quand Alexandre Sauli en fut nommé évêque, en 1571, par le
saint Pape Pie V.
Le nouvel évêque ayant
été sacré par saint Charles Borromée, partit sans délai avec trois prêtres de
son ordre. La situation attendrissante de son illustre père, qui touchait au
dernier moment de sa vie, ne fut point capable de le retenir ; il n'entendait
que les gémissements de son église désolée. Il ne fut point non plus arrêté par
la vue de l'esclavage qu'il avait à craindre de la part des corsaires
mahométans, qui infestaient toutes les côtes de l'Ile de Corse; il s'embarqua
plein de confiance en Dieu, et la navigation fut heureuse. Il ressentit une
vive douleur en voyant que Dieu était partout méconnu. Aléria n'était plus que
le titre d'une église. A peine y avait-il dans toute l'étendue du diocèse un
lieu où l'on pût faire décemment l'office divin. Les bourgades, à l'exception
de trois ou quatre, étaient inhabitées. Les peuples étaient dispersés dans les
bois et sur les montagnes. Plongés dans une grossière ignorance, ils ne
savaient pas les premiers éléments de la religion. Le clergé n'avait pas moins
besoin d'être instruit que le peuple.
Le saint évêque, sans
église et même sans maison, fixa d'abord sa demeure à Talone. C'était une
espèce de bourgade située à quatre lieues des ruines d'Aléria. Il y tint un
synode sur le modèle de ceux qui se tenaient à Milan sous saint Charles
Borromée, et y fit de sages règlements pour commencer à remédier aux abus ; il
entreprit ensuite la visite de tout son diocèse. Il alla dans les hameaux les
plus écartés, et pénétra jusqu'aux endroits les plus inaccessibles. La vue d'un
pasteur si charitable attendrissait les plus sauvages ; ils venaient tous se
jeter à ses pieds, bien résolus de lui obéir, même avant de l'avoir entendu.
Ses paroles portaient la lumière de la foi dans les esprits, et le feu de la
charité dans les cœurs. Partout il lui fallut réformer d'anciens abus, abolir
des coutumes scandaleuses, fonder des églises, ou relever celles qui étaient
ruinées, et pourvoir à la décence dû culte du Seigneur. Il établit des collèges
et des séminaires où l'on pût former la jeunesse.
Les coopérateurs qu'il
avait amenés avec lui étant morts de fatigue sous ses yeux, il se trouva dans
un très-grand embarras : il ne se découragea cependant point ; il redoubla ses
travaux sans craindre d'épuiser sa santé. La continuité de ses occupations ne
l'empêcha point non plus de s'assujettir à des jeûnes continuels et à une
rigoureuse abstinence. Quoiqu'il eût très-peu de revenu, il ne laissait pas de
faire des aumônes abondantes. Les déprédations des corsaires l'obligèrent
souvent de changer de demeure. On le vit transporter son séminaire et sont
clergé de Talone, situé sur la côte orientale de l'île, à Algagliola, qui était
sur la côte occidentale, et de cette ville à Corte, dans le centre de l'île,
puis à Cervione. Ce fut dans cette dernière ville qu'il bâtit sa cathédrale, et
qu'il fonda un chapitre de chanoines. Il avait un rare talent pour réunir les
esprits et les cœurs divisés ; aussi lui donna-t-on dans toute la Corse le
surnom d'Ange de paix.
Le bienheureux Alexandre
Sauli adressa de sages avertissements à son clergé. Il s'y proposait
d'instruire les ministres, tant sur la conduite qu'ils devaient tenir, que sur
la manière dont ils devaient diriger les âmes confiées à. leurs soins ; il
composa aussi des entretiens, dans lesquels il expliqua la doctrine de l'Eglise
avec beaucoup de précision et de netteté. Saint François de Sales estimait
singulièrement cet ouvrage, et disait que la matière y était épuisée.
Le saint prélat allait de
temps en temps à Rome, ainsi que les autres évêques d'Italie ; mais il y allait
comme au centre de l'apostolat, et avec tant de dévotion, qu'il y éprouvait en
lui-même ce que dit saint Chrysostome, que l'esprit apostolique y vit toujours,
et que des tombeaux des apôtres, et de leurs cendres tout inanimées qu'elles sont,
sortent encore des étincelles du feu sacré dont ils embrasèrent la terre. Tous
ses voyages furent comme autant de missions, par les grands fruits que
produisirent partout ses prédications, ses conseils et ses exemples. C'est de
quoi les villes de Gênes, de Milan et de Rome ont plusieurs fois fourni des
témoignages qui ont été confirmés par quatre Souverains-Pontifes. Grégoire
XIII, l'un d’eux, fut extrêmement frappé lorsqu'il l'entendit prêcher. Saint
Philippe de Néri l'honorait aussi beaucoup ë. cause de ses talents et de son
éminente sainteté. Les ennemis de la religion eux-mêmes ne pouvaient résister à
la force et à l'onction de ses discours. Ayant eu une conférence avec un
calviniste de Genève, qui était venu dogmatiser en Corse, il lui fit ouvrir les
yeux à la vérité, et le ramena dans le sein de l'Eglise. A Rome, un seul de ses
sermons enleva à la synagogue des juifs quatre de ses plus fermes soutiens.
La vénération où était le
saint apôtre de la Corse porta les villes de Tortone et de Gênes à le demander
pour pasteur ; mais il ne voulut point quitter sa première épouse, à laquelle
il était tendrement attaché. Ce ne fut que par obéissance aux ordres du Pape
Grégoire XIV, qu'il accepta l'évêché de Pavie en 1591. Il ne fut pas plus tôt
arrivé dans son nouveau diocèse, qu'il entreprit d'en faire la visite. Toutes
les fêtes solennelles il revenait à Pavie. Etant à Calozzo, dans le comté
d'Asti, il fut attaqué de la maladie qui l'enleva de ce monde. Il mourut le 23
Avril 1592. Sa sainteté fut attestée par plusieurs miracles. La cérémonie de sa
béatification se fit à Rome en 1742
SOURCE : http://nouvl.evangelisation.free.fr/alexandre_sauli.htm
Saint
Alexandre Sauli, Annuaire pontifical catholique, Éd. Maison de la Bonne Presse,
Paris, 1906, p 618
Saint Alexandre Sauli
Barnabite, Apôtre de la Corse,
Évêque de Pavie
(1534-1592)
Saint Alexandre Sauli vit
le jour à Milan, le 15 février 1534, dans une famille également illustre et
favorisée des dons de la fortune. Ses pieux parents lui mirent au cœur la
crainte de Dieu. Ils l’envoyèrent, à quinze ans, suivre les cours de
philosophie et de jurisprudence à l’Université de Pavie.
Dans la société
licencieuse et turbulente des étudiants, Alexandre se distingua par sa réserve
et la fidélité à ses pratiques de dévotion: elles le préservèrent de la
contagion du mal. Revenu à Milan et frappé de la vie édifiante et pauvre que
menaient les religieux Barnabites, le désir lui vint de s’enrôler dans leur
Congrégation naissante. Mais ses premières instances demeurèrent infructueuses.
Le jour de la Pentecôte
1551, Alexandre sollicita de nouveau son admission. Un des religieux voulut
l’éprouver. Le jeune homme n’hésita pas et subit victorieusement l’épreuve
devant une nombreuse assemblée. Averti de l’incident par la rumeur publique, le
marquis Sauli arrive bientôt. Alexandre se jette dans ses bras et, à force de
larmes et de prières, obtient son consentement au douloureux sacrifice de la
séparation.
Novice fervent, Alexandre
Sauli fut admis à la profession en 1554 et, deux ans plus tard, à la prêtrise.
Devenu doyen de la Faculté de théologie, pendant neuf années il se fit auprès
de la jeunesse universitaire de Padoue l’apôtre de la communion fréquente.
Âgé de trente-trois ans,
il fut élu Supérieur de son Ordre. Cette charge le ramena à Milan; saint
Charles Borromée le prit pour confesseur et le choisit comme théologien de ses
Synodes.
Nommé évêque d’Aleria, en
Corse, il fut sacré par saint Charles et débarqua dans l’île le 30 avril 1570.
La Corse que se disputaient les républiques rivales de Pise et de Gênes,
présentait alors le tableau le plus désolant: de longues guerres l’avaient
cruellement dévastée. Le diocèse d’Aleria n’existait que de nom; de sa
cathédrale ne subsistaient que des pans de murs lézardés. Tandis que la famine
sévit dans l’île, Alexandre fait venir d’Italie des cargaisons de blé et de
denrées. Après la famine, la peste décime ses malheureuses ouailles: pas un
malade qu’il peut atteindre ne meurt sans avoir été assisté, ni consolé par le
magnanime évêque.
Durant huit années, il
n’eut pas de demeure stable. En 1578, il se rendit à Cervione, qu’il choisit
pour sa résidence: il y bâtit une cathédrale, un évêché et un séminaire. De là,
son zèle et sa charité rayonnèrent sur toute l’île; elles lui méritèrent le
glorieux titre d’Apôtre de la Corse, que l’Église lui a confirmé.
En 1591, saint Alexandre
Sauli fut transféré par le pape Grégoire XIV au siège de Pavie. Son départ
plongea la Corse dans la désolation. Au prix de grandes lassitudes, il
parcourut son nouveau diocèse. Étant tombé malade à Calosso, il réclama le
Saint Viatique et tandis qu’à sa demande, on lisait devant lui le récit de la
Passion selon saint Jean, il expira paisiblement. C’était le 11 octobre 1592.
Alexandre Sauli fut
béatifié par Benoît XIV et canonisé par Pie X, le 11 décembre 1904.
La Vie des Saints
illustrée pour chaque jour de l’année, Paris, Librairie de Firmin-Didot et Cie,
1887.
SOURCE : https://sanctoral.com/fr/saints/saint_alexandre_sauli.html
Alexander
Sauli puts peace between adverse fractions
Saint Alexandre Sauli
Fêté le 11 octobre –
Saint Alexandre Sauli
Évêque – Réformateur –
Père des pauvres
Qui est Saint Alexandre
Sauli ?
Saint Alexandre Sauli
(1534‑1592), né en Corse dans une famille noble, est l’une des grandes figures
spirituelles de la Réforme catholique. Entré très jeune chez les Barnabites, il
devient un religieux d’une grande sagesse, un théologien brillant et un pasteur
profondément missionnaire.
Un religieux d’une grande
sagesse
À 23 ans, il est
professeur de théologie ; à 27 ans, supérieur général de son ordre. Il se
distingue par sa douceur, son intelligence lumineuse, son sens de la réforme,
son amour de la pauvreté et sa vie intérieure intense.
Évêque d’Aleria en Corse
En 1570, le pape Pie V le
nomme évêque d’Aleria, un diocèse marqué par la misère, l’ignorance religieuse
et les divisions. Alexandre Sauli s’y donne entièrement : il reconstruit les
églises, forme les prêtres, visite les villages isolés, réconcilie les familles
ennemies et soutient les pauvres et les malades. On l’appelle bientôt «
l’Apôtre de la Corse ».
Évêque de Pavie
En 1591, il est transféré
au diocèse de Pavie. Là encore, il se montre un pasteur exemplaire : proche des
pauvres, réformateur du clergé, consolateur des malades et artisan de paix. Il
meurt en 1592, épuisé par le service.
Sa sainteté
Alexandre Sauli est
reconnu pour sa charité ardente, sa douceur dans l’autorité, sa fidélité à la
prière, son zèle missionnaire et son humilité profonde. Il est canonisé en 1904
par saint Pie X.
Représentation
iconographique
Saint Alexandre Sauli est
souvent représenté :
en évêque,
tenant une crosse,
portant le livre de
l’Évangile,
entouré de pauvres ou de
malades,
ou en habit barnabite.
Pourquoi prier Saint
Alexandre Sauli ?
Pour les prêtres et les
évêques : Il est un modèle de pasteur humble, courageux et proche du
peuple.
Pour la paix dans les
familles et les villages : Il a réconcilié des clans entiers et apaisé de
nombreux conflits.
Pour les malades et les
pauvres : Il a passé sa vie à les visiter, les consoler et les soutenir.
Pour les réformes
spirituelles : Il a renouvelé des diocèses entiers par sa douceur et sa
fermeté.
Pour la force dans les
épreuves : Il a affronté la misère, les divisions et les violences avec
courage et patience.
Prière à Saint Alexandre
Sauli
Pour la paix, le service
et l’unité des familles
Saint Alexandre Sauli,
pasteur humble et courageux, donne‑nous un cœur doux, un esprit de paix et la
force de servir nos frères.
Intercède pour les
familles divisées, pour les malades et pour tous ceux qui cherchent la lumière
du Christ.
Amen.
SOURCE : https://www.saintsguerisseurs.fr/le-nom-des-saints-1/a/saint-alexandre-sauli/
St
Alexander Sauli, a Barnabite bishop
Also
known as
Apostle of Corsica
Alessandro Sauli
Alexander Mary Sauli
Profile
Priest.
Clerk
Regular of the Congregation of Saint Paul (Barnabite).
Taught
philosophy
and theology
at the University
of Pavia,
Italy.
Superior-General of the Barnabites
in 1565.
Bishop
of Aleria,
Corsica
from 1571
to 1591;
there the faith
was all but dead, and the clergy and
people were in a state of deplorable ignorance. With three companions, he
reclaimed the inhabitants, corrected abuses, rebuilt churches, founded colleges
and seminaries,
and returned the Church
in Corsica
to health. Bishop
of Pavia,
Italy
in 1591.
Left a number of catechetical
works. Spiritual director of Saint Charles
Borromeo.
Born
11 October
1592
at Pavia,
Italy
23 April 1741
by Pope
Benedict
XIV
11
December 1904
by Pope
Saint Pius
X
Storefront
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks
of Ramsgate
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
images
webseiten
auf deutsch
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001
edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
Dicastero delle Cause dei Santi
MLA
Citation
“Saint Alexander Sauli“. CatholicSaints.Info.
14 June 2023. Web. 11 October 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alexander-sauli/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alexander-sauli/
St
Alexander Sauli Clerics Regular of St Paul defender of faith
Book of Saints –
Alexander Sauli
Article
ALEXANDER SAULI (Saint)
Bishop (October 11) (16th century) One of God’s instruments in the restoration
of Church discipline in Italy in the sixteenth century. Of noble birth in
Lombardy, he joined the recently founded Order of Barnabites, of which he
became General. His chief sphere of work was in Corsica, where for twenty years
he was Bishop of Aleria. Made in 1591, against his will, Bishop of Pavia, he
died there (April 23) in the following year. He was beatified in 1741, and
canonised by Pope Pius X A.D. 1904.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Alexander Sauli”. Book of Saints, 1921.
CatholicSaints.Info. 24 May
2012.
Web. 11 October 2026. <http://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-alexander-sauli/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-alexander-sauli/
Alexander
Sauli puts to flight the pirates ship
St. Alexander Sauli
Feastday: October 11
Birth: 1535
Death: 1592
Beatified: Benedict XIV
Canonized: Pius X
The Apostle of Corsica and
bishop. He came from a prominent family of
Lombard, Italy, born in Milan in
1533. At an early age he entered the Barnabite Congregation, and became a
teacher at the University of Pavia and superior
general of the congregation. In 1571 he was appointed by Pope Pius V to Aleria
on Corsica. Taking three companions, Alexander rebuilt churches, founded
seminaries and colleges, and stood off the pirate raids in the area. He became
the bishop
of Pavia
after refusing other sees, serving only a year before his death. Alexander was
a noted miracle
worker. He was also spiritual advisor to St. Charles
Borromeo and to Cardinal
Sfondrato, who became Pope Gregory XIV. He was canonized in 1904 by Pope St.
Pius X.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1251
St
Alexander carries the cross
New
Catholic Dictionary – Saint Alexander Sauli
Article
Apostle of Corsica. Born
in 1533
in Milan,
Italy;
died
on 11
October 1592
in Pavia,
Italy.
He was a Barnabite
and as bishop
of Aleria,
Corsica
from 1571
to 1591
he reclaimed the people from laxity and ignorance, rebuilt churches, founded
colleges and seminaries, and placed the Church
in a flourishing condition. He was bishop
of Pavia
from 1591
to 1592.
MLA
Citation
“Saint Alexander Sauli”. New Catholic Dictionary. CatholicSaints.Info. 10
October 2010.
Web. 11 October 2026.
<http://catholicsaints.info/new-catholic-dictionary-saint-alexander-sauli/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/new-catholic-dictionary-saint-alexander-sauli/
Pietro
Maggi (1660–1738) (attribution), Saint Alexander Sauli receives
Communion, Alexander Sauli receives the Holy Communion during his Religious
Profession from the hands of Superior General Fr. Besozzi, Crema, San
Benedetto Church
Saints
of the Day – Alexander Sauli, Barnabite
Article
Born at Milan, Italy, in
1534; died at Colozza (near Pavia) on October 11, 1593; beatified in 1741 or
1742; canonized by Pope Saint Pius X in 1904. At the age of 17, Saint
Alexander, son of an important Genoese family, joined the Barnabites, which had
been recently founded by Saint Antony Zaccharia, studied at the order’s college
at Pavia, endowed the college with a library, and was ordained in 1556. He was
the confessor of Saint Charles Borromeo and Cardinal Sfondrati (later Pope
Gregory XIV). Alexander earned the reputation as a zealous preacher during the
time he was teaching at the university in Pavia. In 1567, he was elected
general of his congregation. About this time, Borromeo was given the mandate to
reform the Humiliati. With the support of Pope Saint Pius V, Borromeo favored
merging the group into the lively Barnabites. As provost general Sauli resisted
Borromeo’s efforts to incorporate the Humiliati friars into the Barnabites
because he feared that they would reduce the discipline of his congregation.
The assassination attempt on the life of Charles Borromeo in 1571, led to the
complete suppression of the order soon afterwards.
Later (1570) he began his
20 years of service to the Church as a bishop of the Corsican diocese of
Aleria. There he carried out religious reforms that were as unwelcome as they
were necessary and overdue. The saint found that the clergy were ignorant and
the people irreligious, engaging in frequent vendettas and brigandage. The
bishop moved his cathedral from Aleria to Cervione and began a systematic
visitation. He promulgated the decrees of the Council of Trent assiduously.
Sauli refused translation
to the see of Tortona and then Genoa, but just before his death in 1592, Bishop
Sauli was transferred to the Italian see of Pavia at the command of Pope
Gregory XIV. His friend, Saint Philip Neri, considered that Sauli’s reforms had
transformed the disreputable Corsican diocese into a model for others. He died
during a visitation of his new diocese.
The bishop was reputed to
have performed miracles of prophecy, healing, and calming of storms both during
his life and after his death. He was a learned man with a special aptitude for
canon law, preaching, and catechesis. Although he is not as charismatic as some
of the saints of the Counter-Reformation, Saint Alexander Sauli was an
exemplary pastor in an age of abuse and corruption (Attwater, Benedictines,
Delaney, Farmer, Orsenigo, Yeo).
MLA
Citation
Katherine I Rabenstein. Saints of the Day, 1998.
CatholicSaints.Info. 29 July 2020. Web. 11 October 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-alexander-sauli-barnabite/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-alexander-sauli-barnabite/
Sauli, Alessandro
Sauli, Alessandro an
Italian Barnabite, was born at Milan in 1535. He studied at Pavia and Milan
with such success that he knew the "Summa" of Aquinas almost by
heart. In 1567 Sauli was made superior of his order, in 1570 bishop of Aleria,
in 1591 bishop of Pavia, after having refused the archbishopric of Genoa. He
died in 1592. Benedict XIV beatified him in 1741. See Argelati, Bibliotheca
Script Mediol. (Milan, 1745), volume 2; Collezione di Vite dei Piu Distinti
Religiosi della Congregazione dei Chierici RR. di S. Paole detti Barnabiti (ibid.
1861), volume 13; Lettere Inedite del Beat. Alessandro Sauli (Turin, 1868); Raccolta
di Orazioni in Lode del Beat. Alessandro Sauli (Lucca, 1743); Lichtenberger, Encyclop.
des Sciences Religieuses, s.v. (B.P.)
SOURCE : https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/S/sauli-alessandro.html
A
piece of the cross of St Alexander
Bl. Alexander Sauli
Apostle of Corsica, b. at Milan, 1533, of an
illustrious Lombard family;
d. at Pavia, 11
October, 1592; declared Blessed by Benedict XIV, 23 April,
1742. After some years of study under capable masters, he entered the Congregation of the
Barnabites at an early age, and became teacher of philosophy and theology at the University of Pavia, and
later Superior-General of the Congregation (1565). In 1571 he was appointed by Pius V to the ancient
see of Aleria, Corsica,
where faith was all
but extinguished, and clergy
and people were in a state of deplorable ignorance. With the aid
of three companions, he reclaimed the inhabitants, corrected abuses, rebuilt
churches, founded colleges
and seminaries, and
despite the depredations of corsairs, and the death of his comrades, he placed
the Church in a
flourishing condition.
In 1591 he was made Bishop
of Pavia, where he
died the following year. He left a number of works chiefly catechetical.
Sources
RAUSCH in Kirchenlex.;
BIANCHI, Vita del B. Ales. Sauli (Bologna, 1878); Acta SS., 23 April.
Rudge, F.M. "Bl.
Alexander Sauli." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert
Appleton Company, 1907. <https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01299b.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Vivek Gilbert John Fernandez. Dedicated
to Pope John Paul II.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur.
+John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2026 by New Advent LLC.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01299b.htm
Alexander
Sauli carrying a cross through the streets of Milan.
October 11
6th Superior
General - Bishop of Aleria and Pavia
(1534-1592)
Liturgy for the memorial of
St. Alexander Sauli
At the age of 17, in
1551, Alexander Sauli became a page at the court of the Emperor Charles V. His
parents were Tommasina Spinola and Dominic Sauli, Marquis of Pozzuolo in the
territory of Tortona. This social status was offering to Alexander a great opportunity
for a prestigious and brilliant career. Instead, he knocked at the door of St.
Barnabas for admission to the Congregation of the Barnabites.
Being so young in front
of a so venerable an assembly, we can envision him boldly facing the demanding
but qualifying examination about his motivation for such a request. The Fathers
were facing some perplexities. He was too young and they didn’t know him well.
He was good with words, but what about in life? What if this noble heir was
plotting to become a Bishop? On Saturday, May 17, 1551, the Vigil of Pentecost,
the Fathers asked the young Alexander to carry a large cross through the
streets of Milan, dressed as an “Imperial Page,” and to preach in public about
love for God and the renunciation of the world. He obediently carried out their
request without hesitation. Returning to St. Barnabas, the Fathers immediately
embraced him as one of them. He gave his sword to one of the servants to bring
it back to his father and he was received as a postulant.
On August 15, 1551, he
received the habit and started his three years novitiate. His master was
Fr. Paul Omodei, one of the very first Fathers of the Congregation who
had been admitted by the Holy Founder himself. During the second year, the
Master was changed as Fr. Omodei was elected Descreet. The new master, Fr. John
Peter Besozzi, allowed him to follow regular theological studies. In April of
the following year the Master was changed again as Fr. Besozzi became Superior
General. The novices were entrusted to Fr. Jerome Marta. It was to him that
Alexander presented the three petitions for the profession of the vows on
August 3 and 9, and September 1, 1554. He professed his vows on September 29 in
the hands of Fr. Besozzi.
Due to his young age he
had to wait for a special dispensation for the priestly ordination, which took
place on March 21, 1556, when he was 22. He celebrated his First Mass on April
12th, the Sunday after Easter, after a three week retreat. Meanwhile, he was
asked to teach in the church about the letters of St. Paul.
Fr. Sauli was young and
already had a curriculum of studies completed. As he was very familiar with the
city and the University of Pavia, he was the first to be assigned there as a
preacher, soon to be joined by Fr. Besozzi and Fr. Omodei, creating a most
homogeneous and harmonious community.
At first Fr. Alexander
did ordinary priestly functions like the other two confreres: celebration of
the Mass, confessions; except, he also oversaw the gathering of the children
for recreation and catechism. The University students attending the church were
the ones to ask Fr. Sauli for help in their studies. He accepted, creating
something of an independent department called the “academy.” On February 2,
1560, Fr. Sauli celebrated the opening of the “academy” with the Mass of the
Holy Spirit. Immediately he started weekly conferences on St. Paul and daily
repetitions of the University subjects which were divided into the three groups
of theology, philosophy (including medicine), and law.
He dedicated himself to
the pastoral work with intuitions way ahead of his time. He favored frequent
communion and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, founded schools for
religious instructions, and offered lectures to the people on the Letters of
St. Paul.
Seeing the success Fr.
Sauli was having, the Fathers did not hesitate to open a house of studies for
their own clerics, but open to others as well. Although Fr. Sauli had no
official degree of any kind as yet, he had been offered a chair of philosophy
at the University, but he was allowed only to be a substitute lecturer. His
success convinced the Fathers to allow him to pursue an official degree. After
his graduation on May 28, 1563, he became a member of the College of Professors
of theology, and three years later he was named their dean. Meantime, in our
house of studies, he concentrated in the preparation of a most complete
curriculum of studies for our clerics.
Fr. Sauli’s fame was not
limited to Pavia. In Milan, where he was going every year for the General
Chapter, St. Charles entrusted him with the draft of the final document of the
Diocesan Synod and other important tasks, almost as if he was his personal
secretary.
In the General Chapter of
1569, he was elected Superior General, although he was only 33 years old. One
of Fr. Alexander’s major concerns was regular life and the wisdom of internal
rules. As a good Canon Lawyer, he made sure that all regulations would comply
with the new Counciliar guidelines from Trent. In 1568 he called an
extraordinary Chapter to deal with the Divine Office. The Chapter adopted the
new Breviary keeping the “recto tono” recitation. Fr. Sauli made great
contributions to the interior life of the Order. He wrote rules for the novices
and gave guidelines for the curriculum of sacred and profane studies. This also
included guidelines for preaching. Under his guidance and expertise, everything
was working better than ever.
He was in charge of the
Angelic Sisters in the Monastery of St. Paul, and of the “Submitted to the
Crucified Lord,” to whom he was giving regular conferences, and, with whom he
will keep regular correspondence even from Corsica.
In April 1569, the Bishop
of Vicenza, through the recommendation of St. Charles, tried to convince the
Fathers to return to his city for the reformation of the monasteries. Fr. Sauli
answered: “Yes, on condition that the Serenissima (Venice) will revoke the ban
of 1552.” Venice’s answer was that by now the whole thing had been forgotten,
so that they were welcome back in the Republic. Fr. Sauli did not accept on
those conditions, but in deference to the Bishop, he sent over Fr. Berna for
few months.
Only on one occasion was
it that St. Charles did not obtain his wish from him. He wanted to resolve once
and for all the chronic poverty of the Barnabite Congregation, and to save the
Order of the Humiliates, who were absolutely averse to any kind of reform. The
Barnabites would have gained 94 rich houses and 150 new members, while their
religious spirit would have finally brought the reform among the Humiliates.
But Fr. Sauli was adamant in his refusal because the union would have been an
endless source of internal fights. Since the Humiliates did not believe at all
in the need for reform, they would have been almost twice as many as the
Barnabites. Therefore uncontrollable, it would have caused the ruin of St.
Barnabas’ good religious spirit. When the Friar Jerome Donati made the famous
attempt on the life of St. Charles, the Pope suppressed the Order once and for
all with a decree signed on February 8, 1571, when Fr. Sauli was already in
Corsica.
His term as Superior
General was a period of true renewal for the Order, a renewal which would be
carried out fully by St. Charles. After the shock of 1552, everything was
renewed: better structures, rekindling of the original fervor, the members were
duplicated with much better quality, some of those who had left came back to
St. Barnabas, the life on the inside was serene and orderly once again, and the
apostolate expanded to new foundations. Therefore, we can understand the shock
of the Barnabites at the announcement that Fr. Sauli was going to be a Bishop.
To prepare himself to
follow God’s will, together with St. Charles, Fr. Sauli went to the Carthusian
abbey in Carignano for a retreat. Writing to his father, he stated: “The effort
I have endured here as Superior General seems to me like roses in comparison
with what I am starting to experience as a Bishop.” His old father exhorted him
to trust God.
The consecration took
place in the Cathedral of Milan on March 12th. St. Charles provided all the
Episcopal vestments. Meanwhile, Pius V had notified him to bring along to
Aleria at least a dozen confreres to help him in his apostolate. But the
Community could afford only four, three Priests and one Brother.
At the end of April,
1570, Bishop Sauli, his four confreres and a few servants landed in Corsica.
The Island had not seen a Bishop in 70 years, falling in a most miserable
physical, social, human, and Christian condition.
The first impact was very
harsh because the Episcopal residence had been destroyed during the war. Most
of all he realized that the spiritual reconstruction had to start from zero. He
did not get discouraged, and we must not be scandalized by the conditions of
the clergy. Seminaries did not exist yet and in Corsica there were no schools
or Universities. Only a few priests could be educated in the main land, while
the others were learning a little from those who knew a little more than them.
Still faith was alive.
He established himself in
precarious and humble dwellings, and started immediately the visitation of the
whole diocese. By the end of August he was able to hold a Synod with 150
priests present to set up rules and regulations. The Synod became an annual
event of three days. Albert Grozio, the Bishop’s secretary wrote: “He took
advantage of these days to live heart to heart with his priests who were
invited, if they wanted, to stay with him at his own expenses. He ate with
them, talked with each one of them, and was generous in his charity. To
instruct them he used to create cases of conscience, going over liturgical
formulas, dogmatic or moral principles, counciliar and ecclesiastical
documents. At the end of the Synod most of the priests had to face a most
arduous trip back home, so he used to prepare for them and their laity abundant
provisions, giving them horses, wine, and whatever could be useful for the
trip.”
During his episcopacy he
provided his clergy with various booklets of instructions including a
simplified edition of the Roman catechism, so much praised by St. Francis de
Sales.
In the following years he
often changed residences to be able to have a good knowledge of his people. He
founded a Seminary in Bastia and he dedicated himself to all, in spite of his
sickness, like malaria and high fever, which few times brought him to the point
of death.
The factional hates, the
famines, and the droughts tested very hard St. Alexander’s charity; however, he
excelled so much that he drew many to follow his example. Enemies never lack,
even for those doing good. So there was one individual who made even an attempt
to his life.
The Corsicans were
transformed by him and they thought they would be able to keep him for life.
When the news reached them that the Republic of Genoa wanted him to be the
coadjutor of the archbishop with the right of succession, they mobilized
themselves. With tears in their hearts they begged the Pope and the Republic to
change their decision. The prayers were not in vain as the Saint was able to
stay for another seven years to bring to completion his mission of charity and
peace among the Corsicans. But in 1591 Gregory XIV named him Bishop of Pavia.
The nomination gave great joy to the people of Pavia, but caused tears all over
Corsica, tears which accompanied the shepherd to the boat taking him to Rome.
Before taking possession
of his new diocese on October 19, 1591, he remained in Rome for two weeks and
then spent some time in Genoa and at St. Barnabas in Milan. Before dismounting
from the horse in front of the Cathedral, seeing the great pomp and ceremony
prepared for him, he said to those close by him: “Vanity of earthly honors; in
less than a year these festival pomps will change into mourning and tears.”
Prophetic words!
The charity which had
made him famous in Corsica became right away one of his outstanding virtues
also in Pavia. A severe famine had made prices of vital items, like wheat,
climb out of reach. On the first Sunday after his entry, he celebrated a solemn
Pontifical Mass during which, in simple and clear words, he expressed his
desire to be the father of the poor, ready to give them whatever he would
receive. As a first sign of his commitment he ordered four noblemen, his
helpers, to give out a purse with one hundred golden scuds. His action was so
contagious to generate a chain reaction in generosity throughout that day,
bringing the purse to a very sizeable amount.
Wanting to have a first
hand knowledge of his diocese, he started right away a pastoral visit, planning
to close it with a Synod; but, as he reached Colosso d’Asti, he got sick with
fever and gout. Not wanting to disturb the local parish priest, he decided to
accept the invitation by the Count Ercole Roero, one of his disciples and good
friend, to lodge in his castle. After ten days, the Saint, well prepared and
consoled by the presence of some Barnabites, died in the Lord. It was Sunday,
October 11, 1592. It was only just a few days before he had said: “Don’t think
that I am dying because of the efforts for this pastoral visit; but, be convinced
that this is the hour fixed by God. If I should start all over what I have
done, I would do it over again. For a pastor it is a duty to give his life for
his flock. I thank God for allowing me to die serving His Church, in the midst
of my apostolate.”
The body was brought to
Pavia on October 14th, and the next day the solemn funeral took place. His
universal fame as a Saint spread immediately and grew steadily. He was
considered a Saint endowed with heroic virtues. The unanimous consensus and a
great devotion, especially in Pavia, led to start the canonical process for the
beatification. On April 23, 1741, Benedict XIV proclaimed him a Blessed, and on
December 11, 1904, Pius X proclaimed a Saint.
Alexander
Saulis Grab in der Kathedrale
in Pavia
Liturgy for the memorial
of
St. ALEXANDER SAULI,
barnabite, bishop
OCTOBER 11
StAINT ALEXANDER SAULI –
Memorial
Alexander was born in
Milan, in 1534, into a noble family from Genoa. When only seventeen, he entered
the Barnabite Congregation, after showing great courage and humility by
carrying a large cross through the streets of Milan. After his consecration to
God, he was ordained a priest at the age of twenty two. He finished his
theology at the University of Pavia, where he became a professor. Father Sauli
was elected Superior General of the Congregation at the age of thirty three,
and was appointed Bishop of Aleria (Corsica) three years later. His episcopal
ministry lasted twenty two years. As a shepherd of souls he dedicated himself
almost single-handedly to the religious renewal of clergy and laity in a large
and difficult region, through preaching, catechesis, synods and pastoral
visits. He placated vendettas and hatreds. He eradicated abuses and
superstitions. But his greatest concern was for his favorites: the poor and the
sick. Because of his heroic charity, especially during the time of famine and
pestilence, he was called "the Guardian Angel and Apostle of
Corsica." In 1591 Gregory XIV transferred him to the Diocese of Pavia.
After only one year, St. Alexander Sauli died in Calosso d' Asti on October 11,
1592. He was beatified in 1741 by Benedict XIV and then canonized in 1904 by
St. Pius X. St. Alexander Sauli is the patron of Barnabite seminarians.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Sir 50:1 This is the
high priest, in whose time the house of God was renovated, in whose days the
temple was reinforced. OR:
Jer 3:15 I will appoint
over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and
prudently.
COLLECT
O God, In the holy Bishop
Alexander Sauli
you have given to your
Church a model of faithful religious observance and
of tireless pastoral
dedication.
Grant, we pray, that your
people may always be led by worthy pastors.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with
you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and
ever.
FIRST READING
- First Option
A reading from the Book
of the Prophet Jeremiah Jeremiah 23:1-4
I myself will look after
and tend my sheep
Foe to the shepherds who
mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD. Therefore, thus
says the LORD, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the
remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring
them back to their meadow; there they shall increase and multiply. I will
appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer
fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD.
The word of the Lord.
FIRST READING -
Second Option
A reading from the Book
of the Prophet Ezekiel
Ezekiel 34:1-16 I
myself will look after and tend my sheep.
Thus the word of the LORD
came to me: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, in these
words prophesy to them to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the
shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds,
rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and
slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen
the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the
strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So
they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild
beasts. My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high
hills; my sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after
them or to search for them. Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As
I live, says the Lord GOD, because my sheep have been given over to pillage,
and because my sheep have become food for every wild beast, for lack of a
shepherd; because my shepherds did not look after my sheep, but pastured
themselves and did not pasture my sheep; because of this, shepherds, hear the
word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD: I swear I am coming against these
shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put a stop to their shepherding
my sheep so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep,
that they may no longer be food for their mouths. For thus says the Lord GOD:
‚I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when
he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will
rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and
dark. I will lead them out from among the peoples and gather them from the
foreign lands; I will bring them back to their own country and pasture them
upon the mountains of Israel in the land's ravines and all its inhabited
places. In good pastures will I pasture them, and on the mountain heights of
Israel shall be their grazing ground. There they shall lie down on good grazing
ground, and in rich pastures shall they be pastured on the mountains of Israel.
I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord
GOD. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I
will bind up, the sick I will heal but the sleek and the strong I will destroy,
shepherding them rightly.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 89: 20b-22, 23-24, 25
R/. God is marvelous
in his Saints.
I have set a leader over
the warriors;
I have raised up a hero
from the army.
I have chosen David, my
servant; with my holy oil
I have anointed him. My
hand will be with him; my arm will make him strong.
R/. God is marvelous
in his Saints.
No enemy shall outwit
him,
nor shall the wicked
defeat him.
I will crush his foes
before him,
strike down those who
hate him.
R/. God is marvelous
in his Saints.
My loyalty and love will
be with him;
through my name his horn
will be exalted
R/. God is
marvelous in his Saints.
ALLELUIA
Luke 4:18
R/. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has
sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to
let the oppressed go free.
R/ . Alleluia,
alleluia
GOSPEL - First
Option
A reading from the
holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 4:14-19)
The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
Jesus returned to Galilee
in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth,
where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on
the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet
Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings
to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of
sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year
acceptable to the Lord.
The Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL -
Second Option
A reading from the holy
Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:1-9)
I am sending you like
lambs among wolves.
The Lord appointed
seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place
he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the
laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his
harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into
whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful
person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to
you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the
laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure
the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
Source: Lectionary
roper for Masses of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul
Pierre
Puget: Terracotta-Statue, um 1666, im Museum of Art in Cleveland
in Ohio
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Lord, accept the
gifts we bring to your holy altar
on this feast of Saint
Alexander Sauli.
May the power of your
Spirit sanctify
what we humbly offer.
Through Christ our Lord.
PREFACE
Priest: The Lord be
with you.
People: And with
your spirit.
Priest: Lift up your
hearts.
People: We lift them
up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give
thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right
and just.
It is truly right and
just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to
give you thanks, Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
You give the Church this
feast in honor of Saint Alexander Sauli;
you inspire us by his holy
life, instruct us by his preaching, and
give us your protection
in answer to his prayers.
We join the Angels and
the Saints as they sing their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God
of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full
of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Jn 10:11 I am the
good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
PRAYER AFTER
COMMUNION
Lord, all-powerful God,
by the Eucharist we share
at your holy table
keep alive in us the
ardor of charity.
Following the example of
Saint Alexander Sauli
who gave himself totally
to you may our lives
be totally dedicated to
your service.
Through Christ our Lord
SOURCE : https://www.barnabites.com/october/#SAS
Domenico Fiasella, Blessed Alessandro Sauli heals the plague, circa 1630. Santa Maria Assunta di Carignano, Genoa.
Saint of the Day – 11 October – Saint Alexander Sauli CRSP (1534-1592)
Saint of the Day – 11
October – Saint Alexander Sauli CRSP (1534-1592) Bishop “The Apostle of
Corsica,” Clerk Regular of the Congregation of Saint Paul (The Barnabites) – St
Alexander is referred to as “The Second Founder,” Missionary, Writer, Teacher
of philosophy and theology at the University of Pavia, Reformer, Evangeliser,
Confessor, Superior-General of the Barnabites in 1565. In addition, St
Alexander Sauli was both friend, advisor and spiritual comfort to St Charles
Borromeo, who held him in very high esteem. Born as Alessandro Sauli on 15
February in 1534 at Milan, Italy and died on 11 October 1592 at Pavia, Italy of
natural causes. Patronages – Corsica, Barnabite Seminarians. He was appointed
by St Pope Pius V to the ancient see of Aleria, Corsica, where he rebuilt
churches, founded colleges and seminaries and, despite the depredations of the
Corsairs, placed the Church in a flourishing condition.
In 1591, he was made
Bishop of Pavia and died at Calozza the following year. He left a number of
works, chiefly catechetical. He was Beatified by Pope Benedict XIV on 23 April
1742 and Canonised by St Pope Pius X on 11 December 1904.
Alexander was born of a
wealthy and highly regarded family of Lombard on 15 February 1534. His father,
Dominic, was the Marquis of Pozzuolo and assistant to Duke Francesco II of
Sforza. Tommasina Spinola, his mother, also came from an ancient and noble family.
His parents provided a
superior education for him at Pavia. This enabled him to become a page in the
court of Emperor Charles V in Milan when he turned 17. This ended quickly when
he sought to enter the Barnabite order, resisting his family and friends who
urged him to enter a well-established order such as the Franciscans or
Dominicans.
The Barnabites imposed a
harsh test on the youth before they would accept him. On 17 May, 1551, the
Vigil of Pentecost, he had to carry a heavy cross through the streets dressed
as a page and preach on the love of God. That evening he was received as a
postulant.
Three months later
Alexander received the habit on 15 August. Yet at the next chapter meeting, he
received much criticism for being tepid, possessing a superior attitude and
being incompetent. A year later, Alexander participated in the sessions on the
Constitutions for the Order and then was permitted to continue his theological
studies at the Franciscan Friary of St Mary of Peace. Finally, he professed his
vows on 29 September 1554. He was Ordained a Subdeacon on 22 December 1954 and
a Deacon on 8 June 1555. Having received a special dispensation for his youth —
he was 22 years old — he was Ordained on 21 March 1556 and then was assigned to
the community library.
When a nobleman
miraculously recovered his health, his family built a Church in Pavia in
thanksgiving. The Barnabites were given the Church and sent Fr Sauli to be the
Parish Priest. Like most saints, he did much more than dispense the Sacraments.
Although possessing no
degree, he established study groups for both college students and seminarians.
He promoted frequent Holy Communion and the Forty Hours devotion. His classes
were well attended with lively debates, and instruction was geared to students’
ability rather than to deadlines.
He introduced innovations such as teaching geometry to instill discipline and
law so students could protect themselves in a society rife with disputes. He
encouraged the organisation of Church law.
After receiving an
honourary bachelor’s degree, he was offered a position at the university but
his superiors declined saying it was not in accord with humility. Providence
changed that when a substitute was needed and Sauli was called. In 1562 because
he was such an excellent teacher, he was given a permanent position at the
university.
Fr Sauli, although given
little time to prepare to discuss the “unity of the creating principle,” passed
his doctoral exams even under the demands of an elite board of examiners. He
received the degree on 28 May 1563. As a member of the College of Professors of
Theology, he taught theology and philosophy while also serving the parish where
he taught the Epistles of St Paul. In both places he drew large audiences with
his wisdom and eloquence.
Despite his overwhelming
success as a preacher and being the dean at the university, he wanted to focus
on the running of the private school of the Barnabites. All this was
interrupted when Bishop Ippolito de’ Rossi of Pavia called Fr Sauli to his
service. He appointed Fr Sauli to be his theologian, lector for cases of
conscience, examiner of clergy and planner for pastoral visits. Fr Sauli also
published many books and republished some in accordance with the documents of
the Council of Trent.
Being a humble man, he
had no fear of losing positions and easily made way for others to take over his
work and assignments — frequently to develop and encourage more men to serve
God’s sheep.
In 1567 he was elected
Superior General of the Order at the young age of 33. He proceeded to practice
the rule with great diligence, proving his dedication and commitment to the
order. Soon Attilio Gritti schemed to take over the church given to the
Barnabites but Fr Sauli appealed to Archbishop Cardinal Charles Borromeo, who
settled the dispute in a meeting with the Pope.
As superior, Sauli ensured
that the Order followed the proclamations of the Council of Trent. Then he
called for a Special Chapter to adopt the new Breviary published by Pope Pius V
in 1568. In addition, he wrote updated guidelines for the curriculum and the
seminary, gave conferences to religious orders, kept up with his voluminous
correspondence and settled disputes. Under his leadership the fervour of the
order was rekindled, so successfully, that he is credited with being the Second
Founder.
About 1569 Fr Sauli went
to Milan where he served St Charles Borromeo. He participated in the first
Synod of the Archdiocese of Milan, while continuing to serve as Superior
General, helping to improve the stature of the Barnabites in Venice — they had
been expelled in 1552. St Charles Borromeo recognised a great homilist in Fr
Sauli, inviting him to speak at the Cathedral in Milan. Likewise, Pope Gregory
XIV also appreciated the prudence and wisdom of Fr Sauli who participated in
several Synods and Councils.
When Fr Sauli was sent to
hear Borromeo’s general Confession, the cardinal remarked that it had changed
his life. Then Borromeo made a miraculous escape from enemies and asked Fr
Sauli for advice to which he replied, “Humble yourself and reflect if God has
allowed it, in punishment for some of your defects.” Once a month, Borromeo
found refuge at the House of St Barnabas. Moreover, he spent the whole Holy
Week with the Community. At first he used Sauli for delicate and secret
missions, such as peace among spouses and families and delicate cases of
conscience. He immediately noticed his prudence and common sense.
In 1571, Pope Pius V
appointed Fr Sauli to Aleria on Corsica — a place where the Church was in a
wretched state. In Milan the news caused great unrest among the Barnabites who
protested, “We have no-one who equals him. We have few among us, whom either
age does not qualify for active duty, or youth in consequence of their want of
experience, does not render unfit for the government of others.”
They sought Cardinal
Borromeo’s help to avert such a disaster. He wrote to his man in Rome, Msgr.
Ormaneto: “Having notified the Superior of St Barnabas about the decision of
Our Lord to give him the care of the Church of Aleria in Corsica, he, for the
humble esteem of himself, has stated not to be qualified: which I do not agree
with, as I know very well his qualifications…. Meanwhile I cannot avoid to
present to His Holiness the great worry of the old Fathers of this
Congregation, whom I have notified about it…. because of the great damage
coming to their Congregation with the loss of this man, as it relies on his
prudent government with great help from his knowledge, in which, truthfully,
there is no equal; … Then, I know too how the city at large will suffer because
of it, since the Superior is very useful to it in so many ways, such as
conferences and confessions , and other spiritual services , and his prudent
counsel, of which I avail myself regularly. If, then, Our Lord believes that he
will render greater service to God in his new vocation, he is a son of obedience.”
To prepare himself to
follow God’s will, together with St Charles, Fr Sauli went to the Carthusian
Abbey in Carignano for a retreat. Writing to his father, Alexander stated: “The
effort I have endured here as Superior General seems to me like roses in
comparison with what I am starting to experience as a Bishop.”
The ceremony took place
in the Cathedral of Milan on 12 March. Sauli was Consecrated bishop by his
friend, Cardinal Borromeo of Milan, with Ippolito de Rossi, Bishop of Pavia,
and Federico Comer, Bishop of Bergamo, as concelebrants. St Charles provided
and donated to him all the Episcopal vestments
Since Corsica had not had
a Bishop for 70 years, the Diocese needed much work. Of the 12 priests he was
advised to take with him, only four were available. On 18 May 1570 he wrote to
Borromeo about the devastation in Corsica after years of guerrilla warfare,
famine and lack of pastoral leadership. The priests did not know Latin and had
to be trained how to administer the sacraments. He established himself in
precarious and humble dwellings and started immediately the visitation of the
whole Diocese, entailing great and severe sacrifices, to bring to all the Word
of God “like a beneficial rain that the good Lord sends on a field for long
time arid and destroyed.” By the end of August he was able to hold a Synod with
150 Priests present to set up rules and regulations. He built a Seminary and a
Cathedral and he defused many vendettas. After twenty years, he had revitalized
the Church and the Corsicans had come to love and respect their Bishop.
Thus, when he was called
to become Bishop of Pavia they grieved deeply. The people of Pavia were
thrilled to learn that Sauli was returning and gave him a great welcome. He
arrived on 19 October 1591 and began to enkindle a deeper faith in the people,
who were also suffering famine. Although for some time he had been sick on and
off with fever, toward the end of September 1592, Sauli began the pastoral
visit of his new diocese.
After presiding at the
Ordinations in Bursignano, he reached Colosso d’Asti on 1 October, where he
spent the day in preaching, catechesis, confirmations, and personal meetings.
That night he became sick with fever and gout. Not wanting to disturb the local
Parish Priest, he decided to accept the invitation of his friend, Count Ercole
Roero, to stay at his castle. He died on Sunday, 11 October 1592. A few days
before he had said: “Don’t think that I am dying because of the efforts of this
pastoral visit; be convinced that this is the hour fixed by God. If I should
start all over what I have done, I would do it over again.”
His body was brought to
Pavia on 14 October and, the next day, the solemn funeral took place. His
universal fame as a saint spread immediately and grew steadily. The unanimous
consensus and great devotion, especially in Pavia, led, in 1623, to the
initiation of the canonical process. He was Beatified by Pope Benedict XIV, on
23 April 1742 and Canonised by St Pope Pius X, 11 December 1904. St Alexander
Sauli is the Patron of Barnabite Seminarians and of Corsica.
Prayer
Author: AnaStpaul
Passionate Catholic.
Being a Catholic is a way of life - a love affair "Religion must be like
the air we breathe..."- St John Bosco Prayer is what the world needs
combined with the example of our lives which testify to the Light of Christ.
This site, which is now using the Traditional Calendar, will mainly concentrate
on Daily Prayers, Novenas and the Memorials and Feast Days of our friends in
Heaven, the Saints who went before us and the great blessings the Church
provides in our Catholic Monthly Devotions. This Site is placed under the
Patronage of my many favourite Saints and especially, St Paul. "For the
Saints are sent to us by God as so many sermons. We do not use them, it is they
who move us and lead us, to where we had not expected to go.” Charles Cardinal
Journet (1891-1975) This site adheres to the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church and
all her teachings. . PLEASE ADVISE ME OF ANY GLARING TYPOS etc - In June 2021 I
lost 100% sight in my left eye and sometimes miss errors. Thank you and I pray
all those who visit here will be abundantly blessed. Pax et bonum! View All Posts
SOURCE : https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/11/saint-of-the-day-11-october-saint-alexander-sauli-crsp-1534-1592/
Alexander
Sauli - Father General of the Barnabites
Sant' Alessandro Sauli, Vescovo
Festa: 11 ottobre
Nascita-morte: Milano, 15
febbraio 1534 - Calosso d’Asti, 11 ottobre 1592
Etimologia: Alessandro = protettore di uomini, dal greco
Emblema: Bastone pastorale
Martirologio Romano
A Calosso d’Asti in
Piemonte, transito di sant’Alessandro Sauli, vescovo dapprima di Aleria in
Corsica e poi di Pavia, che, membro della Congregazione dei Chierici regolari
di San Paolo, diede sollievo ai poveri con mirabile carità.
Nato da antica famiglia
genovese, nel 1534, si consacrò giovanissimo alla Vergine. Rifiutando una
brillante carriera presso Carlo V, entrò nella Congregazione dei Chierici
regolari di san Paolo (i Barnabiti). Nel segno dell'obbedienza comparì nella
piazza dei mercanti vestito da nobile, ma portando sulle spalle una pesante
croce. Nominato teologo del vescovo e decano della Facoltà teologica di Pavia,
fu eletto Superiore generale dell'Ordine e si adoperò per mantenerne vivo lo
spirito originale. Confessore di Carlo Borromeo, fu anche il direttore
spirituale di personalità illustri del suo tempo, religiosi e laici. Vescovo di
Aleria in Corsica, una diocesi in grande decadenza, ne riformò il clero e fu
maestro di vita cristiana per tutti i ceti, placando tensioni e odi tra
famiglie. La sua carità e la sua dedizione furono talmente grandi da essere
chiamato «angelo tutelare», padre dei poveri, apostolo della Corsica. Nel 1904,
Pio X lo iscrisse fra i santi. (Avvenire)
Biografia
A cura di Domenico Agasso
Ha davvero tutto: famiglia nobile genovese, che dà senatori e dogi alla Repubblica marinara; attitudine allo studio; alte relazioni che, adolescente, gli procurano la nomina a paggio di corte: quella di Carlo V, signore d’Europa e d’America, padrone del mondo. Partendo da lì, uno come lui può arrivare in fretta ai grandi posti. Ma Alessandro Sauli non parte. A 17 anni chiede di entrare fra i Chierici Regolari di San Paolo, detti Barnabiti, perché risiedono presso la chiesa milanese di San Barnaba. Sono preti legati da una regola di vita comune, da severi compiti di studio e d’insegnamento. Uomini di punta del rinnovamento religioso.
"Domando di essere accolto", dice, "per abbandonarmi totalmente nelle mani dell’obbedienza". Nel segno dell’obbedienza si espone a una prova tra le più sgradevoli: compare nella piazza dei mercanti vestito da nobile, ma portando sulle spalle una pesante croce. Si umilia, insomma, a dar spettacolo, esponendosi allo scandalo e alla beffa. E dà inizio a una consuetudine: "Da allora, “portar la croce” fa parte delle nostre tradizioni familiari. E’ una delle più care e indimenticabili, perché ogni barnabita inizia il proprio anno di noviziato portando la croce dalla comunità alla chiesa" (P. Luis Origlia Roasio).
Ordinato sacerdote, diviene maestro e formatore di barnabiti, chiamati a esser uomini della croce e del libro, della fede e della cultura strettamente unite, nel XVI secolo come nel XX. Alessandro Sauli, in quest’opera, è talmente uomo di punta che a soli 34 anni lo fanno già superiore generale. Carlo Borromeo, arcivescovo di Milano, lo vuole suo confessore: "Fatto diligente esame di coscienza di tutti i suoi peccati, li confessò ad Alessandro Sauli... Del suo consiglio pieno di dottrina si giovò moltissimo" (C. Bescapé). Pio V nel 1567 lo nomina vescovo di Aleria, in Corsica, dove c’è da fare tutto, compreso lo sfamare i fedeli, vittime di carestie e pirati; e proseguendo col formare preti culturalmente degni, infondendo in loro slancio per l’evangelizzazione. Per vent’anni la Corsica ha in lui un padre e maestro. E morirebbe lì, ma deve poi obbedire a un suo allievo diventato papa, Gregorio XIV, che lo trasferisce a Pavia.
Obbedisce, anche se tanto lavoro l’ha già sfiancato. Eppure intraprende subito
la visita pastorale: non smette di “portare la croce”, finché un minimo di
forze lo sorreggono. Viene per lui l’ultimo giorno nel dolce scenario d’autunno
del Piemonte meridionale: a Calosso d’Asti, dove accetta l’ospitalità del
signore del luogo. Ma non nei saloni nobili: se ne sta al pianterreno con i
lavoranti, vicino alla portineria. E qui, con le prime nebbie fra le colline,
muore l’“Apostolo della Corsica”. Il corpo ritorna poi a Pavia, dove sarà
inumato in cattedrale. Nel 1904, Pio X Sarto lo iscriverà fra i santi.
Fonte : Famiglia
Cristiana
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/34950
Ambito
lombardo, Sant'Alessandro Sauli in estasi, 1750, 58 x 40, Bergamo
DISCORSO DEL SANTO PADRE
PIO X*
ALLOCUZIONE AI VESCOVI
Venerabili fratelli,
Io avrei voluto ricevervi
ad uno ad uno, in udienza particolare, e parlare a ciascuno di voi os ad os. Ma
in mezzo ad una tale affluenza — voi medesimi lo riconoscerete — il mio
desiderio, per quanto fosse ardente, non poteva essere soddisfatto. Del resto
la maggior parte di voi desidera rientrare nelle proprie diocesi, ed in ciò
merita tutta la mia approvazione ; poiché nulla è più dolce ad un Padre, che di
trovarsi in mezzo ai suoi figli, specialmente alla vigilia della santa
solennità del Natale. Ricevete adunque adesso i miei ringraziamenti, per aver
risposto al mio invito e, colla vostra presenza, resi più solenni sia la festa
di Maria Immacolata, sia la canonizzazione dei nuovi santi, Alessandro Sauli e
Gerardo Maiella.
Ricevete nello stesso
tempo il saluto affettuoso di Colui che si sente per voi padre e fratello.
Congedandovi, io vi lascio come addio le parole dell'Apostolo: Gaudium meum et
corona mea! Sì, voi siete la mia gioia! perchè chiamati a dividere con me le
fatiche apostoliche, nel governo della Chiesa di Gesù Cristo, io aspetto da
voi, a giusto titolo, la più generosa e più efficace collaborazione. Voi siete
la mia corona! perchè le virtù che brillano in voi aumentano lo splendore della
dignità della quale il Signore ha voluto rivestirmi, nonostante la pochezza del
mio merito.
I tempi si fanno
difficili e dolorosi per la Chiesa cattolica: non turbiamoci. Sulla terra la
Chiesa è militante: a noi l' essere i capitani che conducono le milizie al
combattimento. Non abbiamo noi, come potente incoraggiamento, la certezza della
vittoria? Davanti ai nostri occhi sono sempre queste divine parole: Non veni
pacem mittere sed gladium. Si me persequuti sunt, et vos persequentur. Sed
confidite, ego vici mundum.
Se noi sappiamo essere,
per la dottrina, la luce del mondo; per i nostri esempi, il sole della terra;
se in una parola noi facciamo valere come un tesoro, ciò che San Paolo
raccomandava ai suoi discepoli, Tito e Timoteo, cioè primo la santità e la
perfezione della vita, secondo il vigore della dottrina, terzo lo spirito di
abnegazione e di sacrificio, quarto lo zelo attivo ed illuminato, quinto la
carità forte e dolce ad un tempo, noi ci concilieremo l'amore e la venerazione
dei buoni, la stima e il rispetto dei nostri stessi nemici.
In quest' opera difficile
sia nostro sostegno l'amorosa Provvidenza di Colui che inviando i proprii
apostoli per il mondo come agnelli in mezzo ai lupi, li rassicurò e li esortò a
non temere di nulla, persuasi che egli si terrebbe sempre allato a loro: Ecce
ego vobiscum sum usque ad consummationem saeculi.
D' altra parte la
difficoltà dell' opera, posta a confronto delle nostre povere forze, ci porterà
a considerarci sempre come strumenti inutili nelle mani del Signore, ed a ricorrere
a Lui nelle nostre più grandi necessità. Egli ci esaudirà e così ci farà
ripetere: Omnia possum in eo qui me confortai. Io non vi faccio, venerabili
fratelli, che una sola raccomandazione: vegliate sui seminarii e sugli
aspiranti al sacerdozio: voi lo sapete: troppo spira sul mondo un soffio d'
indipendenza mortifero per le anime, e questa indipendenza si è introdotta
anche nel santuario; indipendenza non solo riguardo all' autorità, ma altresì
riguardo alla dottrina. Ne deriva che alcuni dei nostri giovani chierici,
animati da questo spirito di critica senza freni che domina oggidì, giungono a
perdere ogni rispetto per la scienza derivata dai nostri grandi maestri, dai
padri e dottori della Chiesa, interpreti della dottrina rivelata. Se mai aveste
nei seminarii uno di questi sapienti di nuovo conio, liberatevene prestamente,
e a nessun costo imponetegli le mani. Voi ve ne ripentirete sempre di averlo
ordinato, non fosse che uno solo; non mai di averlo escluso.
Rientrando nelle vostre
diocesi voi direte ai vostri fedeli che il Santo Padre li benedice tutti di
cuore e si raccomanda alle loro preghiere. Ognuno di voi, il giorno festivo che
crederà opportuno potrà dare solennemente al popolo la benedizione papale coll'
indulgenza plenaria per coloro che si saranno confessati e comunicati. Ch'essa
vi accompagni durante il vostro viaggio, questa benedizione che io dò a tutti
voi con uno speciale affetto, nel nome del Padre, del Figliuolo e dello Spirito
Santo.
PIUS PP. X
*AAS, vol. XXXVII
(1904-05), pp. 433-436.
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione
SOURCE : https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-x/it/speeches/documents/hf_p-x_spe_19041212_vescovi.html
Federico
Ferrari, Alexander segnet, 1745, in der Kathedrale
in Pavia
Alessandro Sauli
(1534-1592)
Beatificazione:
- 23 aprile 1741
- Papa Benedetto
XIV
Canonizzazione:
- 11 dicembre 1904
- Papa Pio X
- Basilica Vaticana
Memoria Liturgica:
- 11 ottobre
Vescovo dapprima di
Aleria in Corsica e poi di Pavia, che, membro della Congregazione dei Chierici
regolari di San Paolo, diede sollievo ai poveri con mirabile carità
Confessore di Carlo
Borromeo
Nato da antica famiglia
genovese 1l 15 febbraio 1534, si consacrò giovanissimo alla Vergine.
Rifiutando una brillante
carriera presso Carlo V, entrò nella Congregazione dei Chierici regolari di san
Paolo (i Barnabiti) a soli 17 anni. Nel segno dell'obbedienza comparì nella
piazza dei mercanti vestito da nobile, ma portando sulle spalle una pesante
croce.
Nominato teologo del
vescovo e decano della Facoltà teologica di Pavia, fu eletto Superiore generale
dell'Ordine e si adoperò per mantenerne vivo lo spirito originale. Confessore
di Carlo Borromeo, fu anche il direttore spirituale di personalità illustri del
suo tempo, religiosi e laici.
Vescovo di Aleria in
Corsica, una diocesi in grande decadenza, ne riformò il clero e fu maestro di
vita cristiana per tutti i ceti, placando tensioni e odi tra
famiglie; deve occuparsi di tutto, anche di sfamare i fedeli. Muore da
vescovo di Pavia l'11 ottobre 1592.
Canonizzato nel 1904 da
Pio X.
SOURCE : https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/alessandro-sauli.html
ALESSANDRO Sauli, santo
di Orazio Premoli
Enciclopedia Italiana
(1929)
Nato a Milano il 15
febbraio del 1534 da genitori genovesi (Domenico e Tommasina Spinola), studiò a
Pavia, e nel 1551 entrava nel convento di S. Barnaba (dei barnabiti) a Milano.
Ordinato sacerdote nel 1556, fu mandato a Pavia, dove i barnabiti avevano
allora aperto scuole, e si distinse subito. Addottoratosi nel 1563, ricusò due
volte d'insegnare pubblicamente, solo permettendosi di supplire qualche
professore. Nel 1567, nominato generale della Congregazione, dovette ritornare
a Milano, dove entrò tosto in stretti rapporti con S. Carlo Borromeo, di cui
talora fu anche confessore. Il Borromeo avrebbe desiderato che i barnabiti si
unissero con gli umiliati; ma Alessandro si mostrò contrario a tale proposta, e
in questa risoluzione fu irremovibile, anche quando seppe che lo stesso
pontefice Pio V approvava il progetto. Verso la fine del 1569, A. veniva
nominato vescovo di Aleria in Corsica. Consacrato da S. Carlo Borromeo il 12
marzo 1570, il Sauli giungeva in Corsica il 30 del successivo aprile,
approdando a Bastia. Le condizioni dell'isola erano miserande. Tra i preti di
Bastia, scriveva Alessandro al cardinale Borromeo, "non ne ho trovato
alcuno che intendesse il latino, molti anche non sanno leggere". Entrato
in Aleria, vi fu accolto festosamente, ma non poté fermarvisi essendo
l'episcopio distrutto e la cattedrale mezzo diroccata. Gli fu d'uopo quindi
risiedere a seconda delle necessità a Corte, a Opino, a Bastia, ad Argagliola,
a Cervione. Nello stesso anno convocò il sinodo, cosa da parecchi secoli caduta
in disuso. A Bastia eresse nel 1570 un seminario. che volle aperto a tutti.
Salito al pontificato Gregorio XIII (1572), A. si recò a Roma per la visita ad
limina, e vi contrasse amicizia intima con S. Filippo Neri. Le fatiche
apostoliche l'avevano talmente indebolito, che nel 1575 fu sul punto di
rinunciare al vescovado. Tra i "fieri e indomiti Còrsi" com'egli li
chiamava, fu, sebbene genovese, oggetto dell'amore universale per la sua
generosità. Ne diede una prova luminosa nel 1579, quando interruppe il suo
viaggio a Roma per preparare da Genova i soccorsi in occasione di una carestia,
ritornando in Corsica per assistere alla loro distribuzione.
Scoppiata nel1580 la
peste, il Sauli vide cadere infermi tutti i suoi famigliari; rimasto solo al
suo posto, si adoperò in mille guise per stornare il flagello, rimanendo
incolume, cosa che parve miracolosa. Per opera di parenti, gli fu offerta la
coadiutoria di Genova con futura successione, ma egli non volle accettare. Più
tardi Gregorio XIV senz'altro trasferì alla sede di Pavia il Sauli, che vi
entrava il 19 ottobre 1591; e agli 11 d'ottobre dell'anno seguente, mentre si
trovava in visita pastorale a Calosso, fu colto dalla morte. La salma fu
portata a Pavia e sepolta nella cattedrale. Benedetto XIV lo ascrisse fra i
beati; Pio X lo canonizzò nel 1904.
Bibl.: Grazioli, Della
vita, virtù e miracoli del B. Alessandro Sauli, Roma 1741; Gerdil, Vie du
Bienheurex A. S., Roma 1805; fascicolo dedicato a S. Alessandro Sauli, in Rivista
di scienze storiche, Pavia 1905; S. Aless. Sauli, note e documenti, Milano
1905; M. Venturini, Documents relatifs à l'épiscopat du B. Alexandre Sauli
évêque d'Aléria, Bastia 1886.
© Istituto della
Enciclopedia Italiana fondata da Giovanni Treccani - Riproduzione riservata
SOURCE : https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/santo-alessandro-sauli_(Enciclopedia-Italiana)/
Letter
of St Alexander Sauli
ALESSANDRO Sauli, santo
di G. M. Boffito
Dizionario Biografico
degli Italiani - Volume 2 (1960)
Da antica e nobile
famiglia, originaria di Lucca e trapiantatasi a Genova (1316), nacque a Milano
il 15 febbr. 1534. Tuttavia, egli ritenne sempre come sua patria Genova:
"honorata città et patria mia" la proclama in una lettera del 6
giugno 1584al doge. Dei genitori, entrambi genovesi, non conobbe, forse, che il
padre, Domenico, avendo perduta, ancora in tenera età, la madre Tomasina
Spinola. Domenico era un uomo colto, amico di letterati, esperto sia dei
maneggi politici sia di quelli mercantili, amico di Francesco II Sforza e suo
magistrato delle entrate. A. studiò dapprima in casa, e si ricordano come suoi
primi maestri gli umanisti Giulio Camillo del Minio e Giambattista Vasano, indi
a Pavia, senza peraltro prendervi per allora alcun titolo, e da ultimo nel
convento di S. Barnaba a Milano. Entrò (1554) fra i chierici regolari di S.
Paolo, detti più tardi barnabiti da una loro chiesa di Milano, vincendo non
poche difficoltà, forse per qualche opposizione da parte del padre. Ordinato
sacerdote nel 1556,non tardò a essere applicato dai superiori ai soliti uffici
del ministero e dell'insegnamento: a Pavia, soprattutto, dov'era stata offerta
ai barnabiti la nuova chiesa di S. Maria di Canepanova. Secondo i suoi biografi
A. avrebbe introdotto nell'insegnamento della filosofia aristotelica l'uso del
testo originale greco e fatto posto, accanto alla filosofia, anche alla
geometria.
Si addottorò in teologia
nel 1560, discutendo alcune tesi che ci sono pervenute a stampa, e l'anno
seguente tenne anche interinalmente, nello Studio pavese, la cattedra di
filosofia occupata da Filippo Zaffiro. A. dimorò in Pavia, dedito alla scuola e
alla chiesa, per dieci anni (1557-67), al termine dei quali fu eletto, nel
capitolo annuale del 7 apr. 1567,a generale della Congregazione e indi a poco
(10 febbr. 1570) a vescovo di Alenia in Corsica. Carlo Borromeo, che lo conobbe
e l'amò (come, più tardi, nonostante la disparità del carattere, un altro
santo, Filippo Neri), se ne servì in più circostanze, specialmente di sinodi e
di concili. Solo una volta lo trovò contrario, e non senza ragione, al suo disegno
di fondere gli umiliati con i barnabiti.
Il 30 apr. 1570 A.
sbarcava a Bastia. Le condizioni tristissime, in cui si trovava da tempo la
Corsica, Aleria in particolare, non spaventarono il giovane vescovo (lettera,
dell'8 marzo 1570, al doge di Genova). Tutto era rovina nella sua diocesi,
rovina materiale e morale, tanto da essere costretto nei primi anni a vagare da
un luogo all'altro senza dimora fissa. " Giunto a Bastia fui forzato a
fermarmi ivi dieci giorni per poter far le debite provisioni al vitto quotidiano
necessarie; et in quel tempo fui visitato da gran parte dei preti della mia
diocesi, dove non ne ho ritrovato alcuno che intenda latino, molti anzi non
sanno leggere. Delli costumi quali siano il lascio nella considerazione di V.
S. Ill.ma, essendo state le guerre tanto tempo in Corsica, li vescovi non
residenti et il mio vescovado, in particolare, stanza et habitatione di
Sampiero Corso, dove regnavano più i tumulti et le setisioni che in alcuna
parte dell'isola; et in particolare ritrovo nelli preti essere queste quattro
specie di viti: homicidii, simonie dando i benefici in confidenza, concubine,
inimicitie" (da Corte, 18 maggio 1570, a Carlo Borromeo). In confronto era
migliore il popolo, in cui era rozzezza, ma anche."una pura integrità di
religione non infettata da alcuna heresia" (da Bastia, 18 giugno 1570, al
doge di Genova).
Non ci volle meno d'un
ventennio di fatiche e di opere apostoliche, ispirate alla riforma tridentina,
per migliorare i costumi del clero e per raddolcire il carattere di quei
"fieri indomiti Corsi tanto inclinati all'effusione del sangue"
(lettera del 1 febbr. 1576). Tutti i mezzi furono adottati: sinodi, visite ed
epistole pastorali, discorsi privati e omelie pubbliche, scritti a stampa,
erezione di seminari, elargizioni e assistenza in occasione di pubbliche
calamità. Durante la carestia del 1579 interruppe il viaggio a Roma, ad limina,
per apprestare in Genova gli opportuni soccorsi, portandoli poi egli stesso ai
suoi diocesani; e durante la peste del 1580, rimasto solo al suo posto, essendo
caduti infermi i suoi familiari, si adoperò in ogni modo per alleviare gli
effetti del flagello. Quanto ai suoi rapporti con la Repubblica non pare che ci
siano mai stati veri malintesi. Nella prima sua lettera di ossequio al doge,
dianzi citata, si rallegra di potere, "procurando il servitio di
Dio", venire "anche unitamente a servire alla patria, essendo il
governo spirituale tanto congiunto col temporale che l'uno pare dipenda
dall'altro"; ma seppe poi all'occorrenza tutelare i diritti della Chiesa e
quelli del popolo a lui affidati.
Volle rimanere sul luogo
della sua missione sino all'ultimo, nonostante la debolezza del suo organismo e
la qualità del suo temperamento proclive alla malinconia, ricusando perfino
l'offerta (1584) di una coadiutoria nella diocesi di Genova, con futura
successione ad arcivescovo della sua patria. Trasferito tuttavia, dal papa
Gregorio XIV, alla diocesi di Pavia, dove fece il suo ingresso il 19 ott. 1591,
logorato dalla ventennale fatica, morì a Calosso, durante la prima visita
pastorale, l'11 ott. del 1592.
Benedetto XIV, in uno dei
primi atti del suo pontificato (21 marzo 1741) lo annoverò tra i beati; e Pio
X, che da vescovo di Mantova lo aveva, anche con esametri latini, celebrato
(1892), da papa lo proclamò santo (11 dic. 1904; festa: 11 ottobre).
Poche sono le opere di A.
a stampa e occasionali quasi tutte. La più fortunata di esse, quella che ebbe
il maggiore numero di ristampe, quattordici almeno (la prima, anonima, in
Pavia, nel 1565), si può considerare sua solo in parte: è il Confessionale di
fra' Girolamo Savonarola, specie di manuale d'istruzione per i chierici, al
quale A. fece rilevanti aggiunte. Le altre, per indicarle sommariamente, sono:
lettere pastorali, editti, costituzioni sinodali, istruzione per gli Ordini e
per le confessioni, la Dottrina del catechismo romano (Pavia 1581), un De
ofjicio et moribus episcopi commentariolum (stampato solo nel 1866, a Roma);
osservazioni sopra alcuni decreti di mons. di Mariana, visitatore apostolico della
Corsica, e regole per il seminario di Aleria (pubblicate, insieme con altri
suoi scritti e lettere, da M. Venturini, Documents relatifs à l'épiscopat du B.A.S.,
in Bulletin de la Soc. des sciences historiques et naturelles de la Corse, VI
[1886], fasc. 66, pp. 1-120); sermoni vari, fra cui alcuni sull'Eucaristia
(pubblicati in sunto da R. Maiocchi in Riv. di scienze storiche, II [1905], pp.
10-22), commenti scritturali e lezioni di filosofia e teologia, manoscritti
editi ed inediti si conservano nella Biblioteca Vallicelliana (cod. CXXXIV) e
per la più gran parte nell'archivio gener.della Congregazione in Roma.
Iconografia: G. Boffito, Scrittori
Barnabiti, III, Firenze 1934, pp. 423-431. Fra i dipinti a olio primeggiano il
quadretto attribuito a Guido Reni, oggi conservato in S. Carlo a' Catinari,
Roma (e per il quale v. W. Schamoni, Das wahre Gesicht der Heiligen, Leipzig
1938, con tavola di riproduzione) e la grande pala d'altare di D. Fiasella (in
S. Maria di Carignano, Genova). Fra le incisioni più antiche, espressive sono
quelle di L. Gaultier (1612), di C. Galle, di A. Boudan, di M. L. Asne e di
Giovanni Frisio, tutte dei primi decenni del Seicento.
Bibl.: G. Boffito, Scrittori
Barnabiti, III, Firenze 1934, pp. 412-440; IV, ibid. 1937, pp. 438, 587, dove,
oltre le fonti di storia corsa ed ecclesiastica, sono distesamente indicati gli
atti del processo di canonizzazione, iniziatosi nel 1623 e protrattosi con
varie soste sino al 1904; e tutte le biografie, fra le quali sono da notare una
dotta vita latina del p. G. A. Gabuzio del 1622, ma pubbl. in Milano 1748,
accolta negli Acta Sanctorum, oct., V, Bruxellis 1786, pp. 806-834 (sotto l'11
ott.) e quelle di G. A. Gallicio, Roma 1661; di V. Maggi, Milano 1863; di F. L.
Barelli, Bologna 1705;di P. Grazioli, Roma 1741; di G. S. Gerdil, Roma 1805,
adoperata anch'essa dai bollandisti in Acta Sanctorum, cit.; di A. Dubois,
Parigi 1904; di F. T. Moltedo, Napoli 1904; di O. Premoli, Milano 1904. Fra gli
studi speciali: P. O. Branda nella sua ponderosa opera Confutazione dei
ragionamenti apologetici pubblicati da Baldassare Oltrocchi, Pavia 1755, sulle
relazioni tra A. e il Borromeo; un saggio di carteggio (36 lettere) dato da I.
Gobio in appendice alla traduzione italiana (Milano 1861) della cit. biografia
francese del Gerdil; Lettere scelte inedite del b. A. S. a s. Carlo Borromeo, a
cura del p. G. Colombo, Torino 1878; Autobiografia di Domenico Sauli, edita dal
Porro Lambertenghi, in Miscell. di storia ital., XVII (1878), pp. 1-73; Lettere
inedite di s. A. S.[alla Repubblica di Genovai], pubblicate da L. M. Levati, in
Strenna-ricordo per il 1920 del Circolo "b. A. S." di Genova; P. Moiraghi,
Cenni storici biografici, con aggiunta di docc. e testamento del b. A. S., in Strenna-ricordo
del terzo Centenario della morte, Pavia 1892; sulle relazioni tra A. e il ven.
Carlo Bascapé, O. Premoli, Un carteggio inedito fra due santi prelati, in Riv.
di scienze storiche, IV (1907), pp. 161-177, 261-279, 435-455; V (1908), pp.
3-18, 103-112 sulle relazioni con s. Carlo Borromeo, C. Locatelli, Il 4
novembre 1905; memorie e documenti, Milano 1905; il vol. commemorativo, S. A. S.:
note e documenti, Milano 1905,con la collaborazione di O. Premoli, L. Manzini,
C.Barzaghi, G. Boffito; I. Rinieri, I vescovi della Corsica, Livorno 1934, pp.
54 ss., 63 ss.; G. G. Gai, S. A. S. vescovo d'Aleria e di Pavia, in Archivio
storico della Corsica, XIV (1938), pp. 570-583; Per il 50° anniversario della
canonizzazione di S. A. S., in Eco dei barnabiti, Roma, agosto-ottobre 1954,
con illustrazioni (a pp. 121-137).
© Istituto della
Enciclopedia Italiana fondata da Giovanni Treccani - Riproduzione riservata
SOURCE : https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/santo-alessandro-sauli_(Dizionario-Biografico)/
Statue
Alexander Sauli in der Basilika „De Finibus Terrae“ in Santa
Maria di Leuca
Figura
św. Aleksandra Sauli w bazylice "De
Finibus Terrae" w Santa Maria di Leuca.
Alexander Sauli
korsisch: Lisandru
Gedenktag katholisch: 11. Oktober
gebotener Gedenktag bei den Barnabiten und den Englischen Schwestern des heiligen Paulus (Angeliken)
nicht gebotener Gedenktag im Erzbistum Mailand
Name bedeutet: der
Wehrmann (griech.)
Ordensgeneral, Bischof von Aléria und Pavia
* 15. Februar 1534 in Mailand in Italien
† 11. Oktober 1593 in Calosso
d'Asti bei Asti in Italien
Alexander, Spross einer
aus Genua
stammenden Adelsfamilie, trat im Alter von 17 Jahren in den neuen Barnabiterorden
ein und wurde 1556 zum Priester geweiht. Ab 1563 war er Professor für
Philosophie und Theologie am damals neuen Kolleg der Barnabiten an der Kirche Santa
Maria di Canepanova in Pavia, wo er ob seines einzigartigen Charismas einen
besonderen Ruf als Prediger erlangte.
1567 wurde Alexander
Ordensgeneral, 1569 Bischof von Aléria
auf Korsika, geweiht von seinem Freund Karl
Borromäus.
Die Diözese Aléria
erblühte durch Saulis schier übermenschlichen Einsatz, er wird deshalb auch der
Apostel Korsikas
genannt. 1578 ließ er den Vorgängerbau der heutigen Kirche
St. Érasme in Cervione bei Corte errichten und residierte dann dort.
1591 wurde Alexander
Sauli Bischof von Pavia,
während einer Visitationsreise starb er im Kastell
in Calosso d'Asti.
Alexander Sauli wird auch
in der von Angehörigen der Adelsfamilie Sauli erbauten Kirche Santa
Maria Assunta di Carignano in Genua verehrt.
Kanonisation: Am 23. April 1741 wurde Alexander Sauli durch Papst Benedikt XIV. selig- und am 11. Dezember 1904 durch Papst Pius X. heiliggesprochen.
Patron der Insel Korsika,
von Pavia,
Genua
und Cervione
Artikel des Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikons bei Google gezielt anzeigen
Seite
zum Ausdruck optimiertUnser Reise-Blog:
Reisen zu den Orten, an denen die
Heiligen lebten und verehrt werden.
Empfehlung an
Freunde senden
Artikel
kommentieren / Fehler melden
Fragen? - unsere
FAQs antworten!
Impressum -
Datenschutzerklärung
Schauen Sie sich zufällige Biografien an:
Timotheus
Trojanowski
Maria
Eva Vorsehung Noiszewska
Gaufrid
aus Verdun
Autor: Joachim Schäfer - zuletzt
aktualisiert am 19.04.2024
Quellen:
• Vera Schauber, Hanns Michael Schindler: Heilige und Patrone im Jahreslauf. Pattloch, München, 2001
• Erhard Gorys: Lexikon der Heiligen. dtv, München, 1997
• Otto Wimmer, Hartmann Melzer: Lexikon der Namen und Heiligen, bearb. u. erg. von Josef Gelmi. Tyrolia, Innsbruck, 1988
• Infotafel an der Kirche in Calosso d'Asti
• Markus X. Schmid: Korsika, 15. Aufl. Michael Müller Verlag, Erlangen 2024
• Infotafel an der Kirche
St. Érasme in Cervione
korrekt zitieren: Joachim Schäfer: Artikel Alexander Sauli, aus dem Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon - https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienA/Alexander_Sauli.htm, abgerufen am 11. 10. 2026
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon in
der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte bibliografische Daten sind im
Internet über https://d-nb.info/1175439177
und https://d-nb.info/969828497
abrufbar.
SOURCE : https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienA/Alexander_Sauli.htm
LITANIES de SAINT ALEXANDRE SAULI /Santu Lisandru *15.02.1534 Milan- +11.10.1592 Pavie Evêque d’Aléria, résidant à Cervione – 1570-1591 : https://www.corse.catholique.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2016/12/LITANIES-de-SAINT-ALEXANDRE-SAULI-1.pdf
_-_Santo_Stefano%2C_Milano_-_Foto_di_Giovanni_Dall'Orto%2C_17_giugno_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original){kind=link}
_-_Santo_Stefano%2C_Milano_-_Foto_di_Giovanni_Dall'Orto%2C_17_giugno_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original){kind=link}
