Saint Giles (650-710)
Image: Christ Church Windsor, Nova Scotia
(Franciscan Media) Despite the fact that much about St. Giles is shrouded in mystery, one can say that he was one of the most popular Saints in the Middle Ages.
Giles was either born in France (or Greece Athens, according to EWTN about the middle of the 7th century) building a Monastery in the French valley under the ‘Rule of St. Benedict’ which 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 St. Giles — one of the sections of Brussels is named after him. In Germany, Giles was included among the ‘Fourteen Holy Helpers’ a popular group of Saint’s to whom people prayed, especially for the recovery from disease and for strength at the hour of death. Among the ‘Fourteen Holy Helpers’ were Saint Christopher, Saint Barbara and Saint Blaise — Interestingly, Giles was the only non-martyr among them.
Devotion to the ‘Fourteen Holy Helpers’ was especially strong in parts of Germany, Hungary and Sweden. Such devotion made St. Giles popularity spread and was soon invoked as the Patron Saint of the Poor and Disabled.
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