Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
A good prayer.
St Alban was a pagan who helped a Christian priest escape persecution. When challenged as to why he did such a thing, he claimed Christian faith and was put to death for it. His martyrdom probably occurred early in the 3rd century AD at a time when Christianity was spreading throughout Britain. The blood of the martyrs has witnessed to the world since the very beginning of the Church.
Tradition says that Alban was a British-born Roman soldier who took pity upon a Christian priest.