Here’s
a virtual tour of St. Giles Monastery in St. Giles, France . . .
St. Giles (d. 710?)
Despite the
fact that much about St. Giles is shrouded in mystery, we can say that he was
one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. Likely, he was born in the
first half of the seventh century in southeastern France. That is where he
built a monastery that became a popular stopping-off point for pilgrims making
their way to Compostela in Spain and the Holy Land.
In England,
many ancient churches and hospitals were dedicated to Giles. One of the
sections of the city of Brussels is named after him. In Germany, Giles was
included among the so-called 14 Holy Helpers, a popular group of saints
to whom people prayed, especially for recovery from disease and for strength at
the hour of death. Also among the 14 were Sts. Christopher, Barbara and Blaise.
Interestingly, Giles was the only non-martyr among them. Devotion to the
"Holy Helpers" was especially strong in parts of Germany and in
Hungary and Sweden. Such devotion made his popularity spread. Giles was soon
invoked as the patron of the poor and the disabled.
The pilgrimage
center that once drew so many fell into disrepair some centuries after Giles'
death.
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