(5th century) Alexius was a single child of a wealthy Roman senator. He fled a pre-arranged marriage disguised as a beggar and lived in Syria for several years. According to legend, he was singled out as a “Man of God” by an icon of Mary, prompting him to sneak back to Rome to avoid notoriety. Alexius lived as a beggar under the stairs at his parents’ house, and they took him in out of kindness without recognizing him for seventeen years. He lived out these years in prayer and teaching catechism to children.

Saint Alexius rejected an easy life of luxury to pursue a life of prayer. For many in recovery, the objects of our unhealthy attachments were our means of escape or avoidance of discomfort.

“Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Reflection by Brad Farmer