Saint Giles
Stored in Cargo: Saint Giles
| Saint Giles | |
| Feast Day | September 01 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Disabled people, beggars, blacksmiths |
| Birthplace | Athens, Greece |
| Death Place | Provence, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Abbey of Saint-Gilles, Provence, France |
Saint Giles (c. 650 – c. 710) was a Christian saint and hermit, revered for his ascetic life and miracles in early medieval Europe. Born in Athens, Greece, he lived as a hermit in Provence, France, and later founded a monastery under the Diocese of Nîmes. His intercession for the disabled and poor made him widely venerated. Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, his feast day on September 1 in the Roman Rite draws pilgrims to his relics in Provence, France.[1]
Saint Giles’ humility and miracles, including shielding a deer from hunters, inspired devotion across Europe. His intercession is sought by the disabled, and his legacy endures through his abbey and widespread patronage.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Giles was born around 650 in Athens, Greece, likely to a noble Christian family. His birthplace, a center of learning under the Diocese of Athens, fostered his early faith. Greece’s rich Christian heritage shaped his piety.[3]
Baptized in a local Parish, Giles was educated in scripture and philosophy. His early devotion marked him for a religious life.
Early Life
Growing up in Athens, Saint Giles gained a reputation for charity and miracles, reportedly healing the sick. Seeking solitude, he left Greece for Provence, France, around 680, living as a hermit near Nîmes, guided by the Diocese of Nîmes. He befriended a deer, which became his companion.[4]
His ascetic life attracted attention, leading to royal patronage. Giles’ early life of solitude prepared him for his monastic calling.
Occupation
Saint Giles’ primary occupation was as a hermit and later abbot, living in Provence. He subsisted on prayer and wild herbs, overseen by the Diocese of Nîmes. After founding a monastery at Saint-Gilles, he guided monks and aided the poor.
His “occupation” included miraculous healings and charity. His work reflected the Roman Rite’s call to holiness and service.[5]
Vocation
Saint Giles’ vocation was his eremitic and monastic life, centered on prayer and aiding the marginalized. In Provence, he founded the Abbey of Saint-Gilles, strengthening the Diocese of Nîmes. His miracles, like healing a lame man, drew pilgrims.[6]
His protection of a deer from hunters, taking an arrow himself, symbolized his sacrifice. Giles’ vocation as a hermit and abbot made him a model of compassion.
Death
Saint Giles met his end around 710, dying of natural causes in Provence, France, at about age 60. He passed peacefully in his monastery, surrounded by monks. His death was mourned by the Diocese of Nîmes.[7]
His funeral drew locals, and miracles were reported at his tomb. His relics in the Abbey of Saint-Gilles remain a pilgrimage site.[8]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Athens, Greece
Death location: Provence, France
Notable location:
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Giles as a Servant of God was not formalized, as his sanctity was acknowledged by the early Church. His miracles and holiness were attested by tradition.
Venerable
Saint Giles was not declared Venerable, as his canonization predated this stage. His heroic virtue was affirmed by his asceticism and charity.
Beatification
Saint Giles did not undergo formal beatification due to pre-congregation canonization. His miracles, like healing a lame man, sufficed for veneration.
Canonization
Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, Saint Giles’ sainthood was affirmed by the early Church based on his miracles and devotion. His universal veneration was established by the Roman Rite, with his feast day set for September 1.[9]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No formal beatification miracle was recorded due to pre-congregation canonization. Tradition credits Saint Giles with healing a lame man in Provence during his lifetime. The man walked after Giles’ prayers, a miracle attested by the Diocese of Nîmes.[10]
This event strengthened his reputation. It inspired devotion among the disabled.
Miracle for canonization
No formal canonization miracle was required, but a notable miracle involves the protection of a village near Nîmes from a plague after his death. Prayers at his tomb halted the disease, a miracle verified by the Diocese of Nîmes.
This miracle spread Saint Giles’ veneration, reinforcing his sainthood. His abbey became a pilgrimage site.[11]
Other notable miracles
- Shielding a deer from hunters, taking an arrow.
- Healing of a blind child in Nîmes.
Patronage
Saint Giles is the patron saint of disabled people, beggars, and blacksmiths.
Feast day
His feast day is celebrated on September 1 in the Roman Rite, honoring his life and miracles.
Veneration
Saint Giles is venerated through prayers, pilgrimages to his relics in the Abbey of Saint-Gilles, Provence, France, and devotion among the disabled. His relics, including bones, are revered. He is depicted in art with a deer and arrow, notably in European churches. His life influences Christian charity.[12]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No known writings attributed to Saint Giles.
External links
References
- ↑ "Saint Giles". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giles/.
- ↑ "St. Giles". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=579.
- ↑ "Saint of the Day". AnastPaul. https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/01/saint-of-the-day-1-september-st-giles-c-650-c-710-one-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers/.
- ↑ "Saint Giles". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giles/.
- ↑ "St. Giles". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=579.
- ↑ "Saint of the Day". AnastPaul. https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/01/saint-of-the-day-1-september-st-giles-c-650-c-710-one-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers/.
- ↑ "Saint Giles". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giles/.
- ↑ "St. Giles". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=579.
- ↑ "Saint Giles". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giles/.
- ↑ "Saint of the Day". AnastPaul. https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/01/saint-of-the-day-1-september-st-giles-c-650-c-710-one-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers/.
- ↑ "Saint Giles". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giles/.
- ↑ "Saint Giles". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-giles/.