St. Giles was born in Athens, Greece, in the year 650 and lived his early life as a hermit in various retreat centers in Southern France. He withdrew deep into the forest near Nimes and spent many years in solitude and prayer, living on a vegetarian diet and the milk from a tame deer.
The local King's hunters finally discovered his quiet retreat when they wounded his deer with an arrow and followed it to his hideaway. The King, who held St. Giles in great esteem, built a monastery for him in the valley of Saint-Giles-du-Gard; it became the origin of the town of St. Giles. He was renowned for his "sanctity and miracles," and his monastery flourished under the Benedictine rule, with pilgrims arriving from great distances. St. Giles died at the monastery in the year 710. Knowledge of his life spread across Europe, and numerous other churches and hospitals were built in his honor.
During the Middle Ages, St. Giles became widely known as the patron of the poor, crippled, epileptics, sterile individuals, blacksmiths, and foresters. His popularity grew as many healings and miracles were reported at his grave site, located at the abbey. As a result, his site became one of the top three pilgrimage destinations in Europe, only surpassed by Compostela and Rome. He is also one of the fourteen popular German Holy Helpers, which includes St. Blaise, St. Barbara, and St. Christopher, often invoked at times of difficulty and at the hour of one's death. Since 1862, pilgrimages have resumed to his site after many of his relics, which had been dispersed during the Huguenots era, were returned to the city. The rediscovery of his tomb in 1865 further increased its popularity.
St. Giles, you have given us a model of evangelical perfection; obtain for us the grace to cling with all our heart to the things of heaven amid the uncertainties of this world.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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