Saint Ildefonsus
Stored in Cargo: Saint Ildefonsus
| Saint Ildefonsus | |
| Feast Day | January 23 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Toledo; Alcalá de Henares |
| Birthplace | Toledo, Visigothic Kingdom |
| Death Place | Toledo, Visigothic Kingdom |
| Cause of Death | natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Toledo Cathedral, Toledo, Spain |
Saint Ildefonsus (Latin: Ildefonsus Toletanus; c. 607 – 23 January 667) was a 7th-century Visigothic scholar-bishop of Toledo, celebrated for his defence of the Virgin Mary’s perpetual virginity and his authorship of De Virginitate Sanctae Mariae.[1] Born in Toledo to a noble family, he was educated under Saint Eugene I and became a monk at Agali (Agalia) monastery before being elected abbot and later archbishop of Toledo in 657, succeeding his uncle Eugene.[2] He presided over the Eighth and Ninth Councils of Toledo (653 and 655, before his episcopacy) and the Tenth (656), which condemned Arianism and strengthened Church–state relations under King Recceswinth.[3]
Venerated from the 7th century without formal canonization, Ildefonsus is best known for the tradition that the Virgin Mary appeared to him in the cathedral, clothing him with a heavenly chasuble and confirming his defence of her virginity—an event commemorated in Spanish art and the Mozarabic feast of “Our Lady of the Chasuble.” His feast is 23 January. Patron of Toledo and Alcalá de Henares, he is invoked for Marian devotion.
Biography
Birth
No exact date is recorded. Ildefonsus was born c. 607 in Toledo to a noble Visigothic family.
Early Life
Educated in the cathedral school under Saint Eugene I, he became deacon and later monk at Agali monastery near Toledo.
Occupation
Abbot of Agali; archbishop of Toledo from 657 to 667.
Vocation
Ildefonsus’ episcopal vocation focused on theological defence of the Virgin Mary and pastoral governance during the transition from Arianism to Catholicism in Visigothic Spain.
Death
Saint Ildefonsus died in Toledo on 23 January 667.[4]
Saint Ildefonsus met his end peacefully.
Significant events
- Elected archbishop of Toledo, 657.
- Wrote De Virginitate Sanctae Mariae contra tres infideles.
- Received heavenly chasuble from the Virgin Mary (tradition).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Toledo, Visigothic Kingdom
Death location: Toledo, Visigothic Kingdom
Notable location: Episcopal seat and burial (Toledo Cathedral, Calle Cardenal Cisneros, 45002 Toledo, Spain)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
| Saint Ildefonsus |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
No results
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
This will pull in related Shrines.
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Canonization
As a 7th-century bishop, Saint Ildefonsus was venerated from the earliest centuries without formal canonization.
Miracles
Tradition records:
- Virgin Mary clothing him with a heavenly chasuble.
- Appearance of Mary seated on his episcopal throne.
Patronage
Saint Ildefonsus is patron of Toledo and Alcalá de Henares.
Feast day
January 23
Veneration
Saint Ildefonsus is venerated on 23 January, especially in the Mozarabic rite and Toledo Cathedral.
External links
References
- ↑ "St. Ildephonsus". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07667a.htm.
- ↑ "St. Ildephonsus". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=210.
- ↑ "Saint Ildefonsus". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Ildefonsus.
- ↑ "St. Ildephonsus". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=210.