Everything You Need To Know About St Alan (Saint Alan)

St Alan (Saint Alan) or St Alain (Saint Alain) might refer to one of the 4 saints below.

1. St Alan: Alain de la Roche (1428 – 8th September 1475)

Alanus de Rupe (Alan, Alain de la Roche or Blessed Alain de la Roche) was a Roman Catholic theologian widely known for his views on prayer. 

Some theologians claim he was a native of Germany while others claim he was from Belgium. 

His disciple Cornelius Sneek said that he was born in Brittany. 

Alanus de Rupe passed away at Zwolle on 8 September 1475.

St Alan (Alain de la Roche): More about His Life

Alain de la Roche was born in Dinan, Brittany somewhere around 1428 and entered the Dominican Order in 1459 aged 31.

He studied at Saint Jacques, Paris, where he distinguished himself in philosophy and theology. 

From 1459 to 1475 he taught at Paris, Lille, Douay, Ghent and Rostock in Germany. 

He was made Master of Sacred Theology in 1473.

Alain de la Roche (St Alan) went on to become a renowned preacher during his 16 years of teaching.

He was highly passionate about what he regarded as his special mission on earth – the preaching and re-establishment of the Rosary. He did this with huge success throughout northern France, Flanders and the Netherlands. 

In 1470, Alain de la Roche (St Alan) established a Confraternity of the Psalter of the Glorious Virgin Mary which was instrumental in disseminating the rosary throughout Europe.

Alain de la Roche didn’t make any publications during his lifetime but immediately after his death, the brethren of his province were instructed to collect his writings for publication. 

These were edited at different times and have occasioned some controversy among scholars.

2. St Alan: Alain de Solminihac (25th November 1593 – 31st December 1659)

Alain de Solminihac (St Alan) was a famous French Roman Catholic religious reformer who served as the Bishop of Cahors from 1636 until his death on 31st December 1659.

He was a professed member of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine of Chancelade in Périgueux, an order that is currently extinct. 

Alain de Solminihac (St Alan) was also a member of the Compagnie du Saint-Sacrement and acquainted with Vincent de Paul and Francis de Sales.

Alain de Solminihac (St Alan) was declared a Servant of God after Pope Pius VI opened his cause for sainthood on 6th August 1783 and Pope Pius XI declared him to be Venerable on 19th June 1927. 

Pope John Paul II beatified him on 4th October 1981.

St Alan (Alain de Solminihac): More about His Life

Alain de Solminihac (St Alan) was born on 25th November 1593 in the Kingdom of France to Jean and Margaret de Solminihac.

He initially wanted to become a member of the Knights of Malta in order to serve God but he would later on in his life feel a strong calling to the priesthood.

This would see him join the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine of Chancelade in 1613 as a postulant.

His period of novitiate commenced in 1615 and concluded on 28th July 1618. 

Alain de Solminihac (St Alan) was ordained to the priesthood on 22nd September 1618 after completing his theological studies.

5 years later he was made the superior of his convent in 1623. 

Pope Urban VIII would later appoint him as the Bishop of Cahors on 22nd September 1636 (King Louis XIII approved this after meeting him) and he received his episcopal consecration on 27th September 1637 in the French capital of Paris.

Alain de Solminihac (St Alan) visited each of his 800 parishes at least 9 times during the course of his episcopate. 

He also prompted adoration to the Eucharist and restored a range of local devotions. 

He attended the Council of Trent and followed the lead of Charles Borromeo in enforcing its decrees in his diocese.

Alain de Solminihac and Francis de Sales met for the first time during Lent in 1619 and would later on continue meetinging with each other. 

He also became a friend of Vincent de Paul.

Alain de Solminihac (St Alan) died on 31st December 1659.

3. St Alan: Alan of Lavaur

Saint Alan of Lavaur (French: Alain or Élan de Lavaur) is the saint to whom Lavaur Cathedral (Tarn, France) is dedicated. His feast day is on 25th November.

Not much is known about him other than the fact that his cult is attested to Lavaur. 

It is assumed Saint Alan was a bishop from the 7th century though there isn’t any credible evidence.

It just might be that he is a pale reflection of the well-known Amand of Maastricht.

4. St Alan: Alain of Quimper

Saint Alain of Quimper (Alan in Breton) was the Bishop of Cornouaille and the 4th Bishop of Quimper. 

It is believed he was born in the British Isles. 

Nothing much has been recorded about Saint Alain of Quimper (St Alan) and the much that is available points to the fact that he was a Bishop in the 6th or 7th century. 

He was mentioned by Dom Lobineau in Breton and the Latin Hours in 1486 under the name Alaini episcopi. 

Saint Alain of Quimper is venerated in Brittany.

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