Albert of Trapani
Albert of Trapani was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Carmelite order, known for his ascetic practices, evangelization, and relationship with the Jewish community. He is chiefly remembered for his attributed intervention in lifting the siege of Messina in 1301, saving the city from starvation. His beatification and canonization were approved by Pope Nicholas V and Pope Sixtus IV, respectively.
- Century
- 14th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›He practiced great austerities and preached and evangelized among the Sicilian people.
- ›Albert maintained a positive relationship with Jews, converting some and tending to their needs.
- ›He is credited with the miraculous lifting of the siege of Messina in 1301 by arranging for grain ships to break the blockade.
- ›He served as provincial for Trapani and Messina and later as provincial superior for the Sicilian region.
- ›His relics are found in Dublin, and his flask and pillow stone are preserved in Italy.
- ›His beatification was approved in 1454 by Pope Nicholas V, and canonized later by Pope Sixtus IV.
Albert degli Abati, Sant’Albertu di l’Abati
Flask Containing Wormwood, Stone Used As A Pillow
About Albert of Trapani
Albert of Trapani, born Alberto degli Abati around 1240, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Carmelite order. He is venerated as a saint for his austere life, his missionary zeal, and his miraculous intercessions.
Life and Ministry
Born in Trapani, Sicily, to noble parents, Albert was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel as promised by his parents. He received his education from the Carmelites and entered their order in 1258. He served as a mendicant preacher, traveling and evangelizing among the Sicilian people. Albert was known for practicing great austerities, including mortifying his sense of taste by mixing wormwood with his food and drink. He maintained positive relationships with Jewish communities, converting some and tending to the needs of others, and is noted for saving three Jews from drowning and curing a Jewish boy of epilepsy.
Major Contributions and Miracles
Albert is most famously attributed with the miraculous lifting of the siege of Messina in 1301. During the blockade, his celebration of Mass and pleas for divine intervention were followed by the arrival of three ships laden with grain, saving the city from starvation. He also served in various leadership roles within the Carmelite order, including provincial for Trapani and Messina, and provincial superior for Sicily.
Veneration and Legacy
Albert of Trapani died in 1307 in Messina. His veneration as a saint began shortly after his death, with tradition recounting angelic confirmation of his sanctity amid disputes over his funeral rites. His beatification was officially approved by Pope Nicholas V in 1454, and he was canonized by Pope Sixtus IV in 1476. Relics of Saint Albert are preserved in various locations, and devotion to him is associated with healing. His flask of wormwood is in Corleone, and the stone he used as a pillow is in Petralia Soprana. His skull is housed in a silver statue in the Trapani Marian basilica.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Albert of Trapani?
Albert of Trapani was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Carmelite order. He lived in the 13th and early 14th centuries and was known for his ascetic life and evangelization.
What is Albert of Trapani known for?
He is chiefly remembered for his practice of austerities, his positive relationships with the Jewish community, and his attributed intervention in lifting the siege of Messina in 1301, which saved the city from starvation.
When was Albert of Trapani beatified and canonized?
His beatification was approved in 1454 by Pope Nicholas V. He was canonized sometime later in mid-1476, with some sources suggesting Pope Callixtus III canonized him on October 15, 1457, though Pope Sixtus IV is more widely credited with the papal bull in 1476.
What are some of Albert of Trapani's relics?
Some of his relics are in Dublin's Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church. His flask that contained wormwood is in Corleone, and the stone he used as his pillow is in Petralia Soprana. His skull is housed in a silver statue in Trapani.
Did Albert of Trapani have a special relationship with Jewish people?
Yes, Albert worked alongside Jews, converted some, and collaborated with others while tending to their needs. He is noted for saving three Jews from drowning and curing a Jewish boy from epilepsy.
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