St Giles
We start off this beautiful month of September by celebrating the feast day of St. Giles. St. Giles was actually one of the most popular saints during the Middle Ages. St. Giles was born during the first half of the seventh century in the southeastern part of France. That is where he was actually able to build a monastery that became a very popular stopping-off point for many pilgrims who were making their way to Compostela in Spain, and the Holy Land.
In England, many ancient churches and hospitals are dedicated to St. Giles. One of the main sections in the city of Brussels is actually named after him. In Germany, St. Giles was included among the so-called 14 Holy Helpers, which is a popular group of saints to whom people prayed to, especially when they want to pray for recovery from disease, and for strength at the hour of death. Also among the 14 Saints include St. Christopher, St. Barbara, and St. Blaise. An interesting fact is that St. Giles was the only non-martyr among them. Devotion to the “Holy Helpers” was very strong in many parts of Germany and in Hungary and Sweden. This very important devotion is what made his popularity spread. St. Giles was soon invoked as the patron of the poor and the disabled.
St. Giles’ feast day is celebrated on September 1st. St. Giles is the patron saint of beggars, people with disabilities, disasters and the poor.
Prayer to St. Giles:
St. Giles we pray that you may help us to grow in our acts of charity, kindness and compassion for people with disabilities during this month of September and during the rest of our lives.
Amen
St. Giles pray for us
St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works cited
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan media. “Saint Giles. ”Saint Giles | Franciscan Media. Accessed September 1, 2021.
Images:
Saint Giles. September 1, 2021. Saint Giles - Google Search.