Bl. Alanus de Rupe

Alan de la Roche (Alanus de Rupe in Latin) was born about 1428, probably in Brittany, France. He joined the Dominicans and studied in Paris. From 1459 to 1475 he taught almost without a break in Paris, Lille, Douai, Ghent and Rostock, and became a famous preacher. He saw his special mission as reviving the Rosary, and he preached it successfully across northern France, Flanders and the Netherlands. He died at Zwolle in the Netherlands in 1475.

Legend and tradition. Alan described visions and sermons of St Dominic that he said were revealed to him. The Catholic Encyclopedia says these "are not to be regarded as historical".

Alanus de Rupe has never been formally beatified. Some Dominicans traditionally call him Blessed, but the Church has not confirmed his cult.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.