| Saint Alexander Sauli | |
|---|---|
| "Apostle of Corsica" | |
| Born | 15 February 1535 Milan |
| Died | 11 October 1592 (aged 57) Calozza |
| Honored in | Roman Catholicism |
| Beatified | 23 April 1741/42 by Benedict XIV |
| Canonized | 11 December 1904 by Pius X |
| Feast | 11 October |
Saint Alexander Sauli, the "Apostle of Corsica", was born at Milan, 15 February 1535, of an illustrious Lombard family. He died at Calozza, 11 October 1592, and was interred at Pavia. He was beatified by Benedict XIV, 23 April 1742, and canonized by Pope Pius X, 11 December 1904.
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. He was later elected superior-general of the congregation in 1565.
In 1571, he was appointed by Pius V to the ancient see of Aleria, Corsica, where the state of the Roman Catholic Church was deplorable. 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.