Martyrdom of St. Alexander of Bergamo

Please take a moment to meditate upon this glorious painting entitled The Martyrdom of St. Alexander of Bergamo painted by Ponziano Loverini.  After his glorious matrydom, "his body was found by a noble woman of the place (St. Grata) who recognized it because of the flowers growing up from his blood."

"St. Asteria is the patron of Bergamo in Lombardy in Italy.  She was the sister of St. Grata of Bergamo where, during the time of the persecutions under Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, they both were responsible for burying the body of St. Alexander.  St. Grata was put to death for her deed, with Asteria also being responsible for the burial of her remains.  In 307, shortly after her sister’s martyrdom, St. Asteria was arrested, tortured and beheaded" (Source)

Writing of St. Alexander, the Martyrology of August 26 states, "At Bergamo in Lombardy, St. Alexander, martyr, who was one of the same legion, and endured martyrdom, being beheaded for the constant confession of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ora pro nobis!