Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

Giles, as known as Aegidius, was born in Athens, Greece around 640 to a wealthy family. According to the Legendae Aurea, he was the son of King Theodore and Queen Pelagia of Athens. Little is known of his youth. Early in life, Giles devoted himself exclusively to spiritual things. However, due to his noble birth, sanctity in his native land was difficult to achieve. After the death of his parents, Giles chose to renounce his wealth and dedicate his life to helping the poor.

Left for Gaul (France)

So, Giles decided to leave Greece and journeyed to France. First, he established himself in a wilderness near the mouth of the Rhône River and later by the Gard River. According to the Legenda Aurea, Giles is linked to the Arles area. Again the fame of his sanctity drew multitudes to him. So, finally, he withdrew and settled deep into the forest near Nîmes.

Hermit with a Hind

Here, Giles spent many years of solitude living as a hermit in cave, whose entrance was guarded by a thick thorn bush. Giles diet consisted of herbs and roots when he was not fasting. He lived a lifestyle so impoverished that, legend says, God sent a hind or deer to Giles to nourish him with her milk. This red deer was Giles’ sole companion.

Crippled by an Arrow

One day, after Giles had lived there for several years in meditation, a royal hunting party chased the hind into Giles’ cave. One hunter shot an arrow into the thorn bush, hoping to hit the deer. However, instead he hit Giles in the leg, crippling him. Though wounded, Giles continued at his prayers.

First Abbot of St-Gilles-du-Gard

Upon learning of Giles’ injury, King Flavius sent doctors to care for the hermit’s wound. Although Giles desired solitude, the king insisted on visiting him regularly. Word of Giles’ wisdom and miraculous powers spread, attracting followers who gathered near his cave. Although Giles still desired his peace and quiet, he consented to receive some disciples.

In admiration of Giles fame as a sage and miracle worker, King Flavius built the monastery of St-Gilles-du-Gard for these followers around 680. Giles became its first abbot. He placed his monastery under the Rule of Saint Benedict, making them Benedictine monks. A small town grew up around the monastery. His churches were often found at road junctions, which travelers could visit while their horses were being shod nearby. So, Giles is a patron of blacksmiths.

Giles established his own discipline within the monastery. As the monastery and town grew, Giles’ reputation as a miracle worker continued to grow.

Patron of Beggars and Disabled People

The combination of the town, monastery, shrine and pilgrims led to many handicapped beggars hoping for alms. This fact and Giles’ insistence that he wished to live outside the walls of the city, and his own damaged leg, led to his patronage of beggars. In addition, he also the patron of disabled peoples or crippled people since begging was the only source of income for many.

Hospitals and safe houses for the poor, crippled, and leprous were constructed in England and Scotland, and were built so handicapped people could reach them easily. On their passage to Tyburn for execution, convicts were allowed to stop at Saint Giles’ Hospital where they were presented with a bowl of ale called Saint Giles’ Bowl, “thereof to drink at their pleasure, as their last refreshing in this life.”

King Charles

In another episode a “King Charles” tells Giles he has committed a sin so terrible that he could never confess it. Later, an angel gives Giles a scroll revealing the sin. So, Giles gets the king to confess and be absolved. Because of this legend people would pray to St. Giles for a good confession.

Protector of Rams

In Spain, shepherds consider Giles the protector of rams. It was formerly the custom to wash the rams and color their wool a bright shade on Giles’ feast day, tie lighted candles to their horns, and bring the animals down the mountain paths to the chapels and churches to have them blessed. Among the Basques, the shepherds come down from the Pyrenees on 1 September, attired in full costume, sheepskin coats, staves, and crooks. They attended Mass with their best rams, an event that marks the beginning of autumn festivals, marked by processions and dancing in the fields.

Farmers Rules

There are some Farmer’s Rules based on the weather on September 1 or The Feast of Saint Aegidius (Giles).

“If Aegidius is a bright day, a good autumn follows.”
“When St. Aegidius blows the horn, / it says: Farmer sow your corn.”
“Watch out for Aegidius, he will tell you what September is doing.”
“Aegidius sunshine / brings good wine.”

His Death

In the early part of the eighth century around 710 in southern France, Giles passed away with the words, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace.” According to legend, those attending his funeral reported hearing choirs of angels singing and fading away as they carried his soul to heaven.

His Relics

His tomb is located in the crypt of the abbey church of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, France. Unfortunately, during the religious conflicts of 1562, Huguenots burned the abbey, murdered the monks, looted the church, and vandalized Giles’ tomb. The surviving relics of Saint Giles were distributed to other churches, including his bones that are now in the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse, France.

The town of Saint-Gilles in France, named in his honor, became an important center of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages, especially for those traveling to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

He was one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, the only one not to die as a martyr. These are a group of saints invoked because they have been efficacious in assisting in trials and sufferings.

Born:                     Around 640 in Athens, Greece

Died:                     Around 710 (Feast Day – Sep 1) in southern France

Beatified:             Pre-Congregation

Canonized:          Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:           September 1

Patron Saint:      Beggars; Blacksmiths; Disabled People; Edinburgh, Scotland; Hermits; Mentally Ill People: Rams

Source:

• CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Giles
• St. Giles: Art, Iconography, Legend
• Äegidius of St-Gilles – Ecumenical Encyclopedia of Saints (translated from German)
• Saint Giles – Saint for a Minute
• Saint Giles – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Obscure Saint: St. Giles | Encounter – YouTube (The CatholicTV Network)