Alberto da Prezzate was an 11th-century Lombard nobleman and knight who later became a Benedictine monk. After suffering injuries during warfare, he underwent a spiritual transformation that prompted him to abandon his military life. Following a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, he dedicated his wealth and influence to monasticism. He is recognized as a saint within the Catholic Church and is commemorated on September 2.
Monastic life
In 1079, he established a monastery dedicated to Saint James near Pontida, which operated under the authority of the Abbey of Cluny. Using his noble connections, he secured funding from the Bergamasque aristocracy to build and expand several religious houses, including the Abbey of Sant'Egidio. He spent his final years working to secure papal privileges for his various foundations.
Veneration
The saint died in 1095 at his abbey. His remains were moved to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo after a fire destroyed his monastery in 1373. Since 1911, his relics have been kept at the rebuilt monastery in Pontida. He is celebrated annually on his feast day, September 2.