(956 –997)
Adalbert was born into a noble family in Bohemia and received part of his education from St. Adalbert of Magdeburg. At the age of 27, he was chosen as bishop of Prague. Those who resisted his program of clerical reform forced him into exile eight years later.
In time, the people of Prague requested his return as their bishop. Within a short time, however, he was exiled again after excommunicating those who violated the right of sanctuary by dragging a woman accused of adultery from a church and murdering her.
After a short ministry in Hungary, he went to preach to people living near the Baltic Sea. He and two companions were martyred by pagan priests in that region. Adalbert’s body was immediately ransomed and buried in the Gniezno, Poland, cathedral. In the mid-11th century, his relics were moved to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
Adapted by A.J. Valentini from: St. Adalbert of Prague | Franciscan Media. (n.d.). Franciscan Media. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-adalbert-of-prague