Today’s saint, Saint Giles or Aegidius, is a hermit of Athenian origin who lived in the 7th century.
Newsdesk (September 1, 2020, Gaudium Press) Today’s saint, Saint Giles or Aegidius, is a hermit of Athenian origin who lived in the 7th century.
He immigrated to Arles, France, attracted by St. Caesar’s reputation of sanctity.
He lived as a hermit at the delta of the Rhone, and later became a hermit in a forest near Nîmes.
During his first winter there, he was so cold that he wanted to leave. But then, a doe appeared providing him with milk as well as warmth. According to tradition, one day a man attacked the doe with an arrow, but the saint protected it and he was injured.
Then the repented man ordered the construction of a monastery for St. Giles and his followers.
It is said that the prayers made to him for the remission of sins were very fruitful. The story goes that Charles Martel told him that he had an un-confessable sin. And during mass, an angel arrived with a scroll that had the sin written on it. This made Charles Martel repent and confess.
After his death, the monastery became a place of pilgrimage, until the city of Saint Giles was destroyed in the crusade against the Albigensians.
Because of his fame of sanctity, they consecrated many churches to his patronage.
Many miracles are attributed to him, even during his lifetime.
With information from EWTN and Catholic.net
Related Images:
