May 28 Saint William of Gellone (William in the Desert, William of Aquitaine, William of Orange, William of Toulouse, Willliam Fierabrace, Guglielmo, Guillaume, Marquis au court nez)
May 28 Saint William of Gellone (William in the Desert, William of Aquitaine, William of Orange, William of Toulouse, Willliam Fierabrace, Guglielmo, Guillaume, Marquis au court nez)
755 - 812
Patronage:
in France
Aniane
Aquitaine
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
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Born to the nobility, the son of Aldana and Count Thierry of Toulouse. Member of the court of Charlemagne. He was named duke of Aquitaine and chosen to lead a campaign against the Saracens in southern France. He defeated the Islamic Saracens in this campaign. Throughout his military career, he displayed exemplary chivalry and was honored as the ideal knight. He is the hero of the ninth-century “Roman de Guillame au court nez”.
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However, he gave up the sword and became dedicated to the promotion of the faith. William founded a monastery at Gellone, near Aniane, and with Charlemagne's permission, entered the community as a Benedictine monk. When he died, it was said the bells at Orange rang on their own accord.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor St. William of Gellone, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon him. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to him by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, St. William of Gellone might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.