Saints celebrated on the 28th of May
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| A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's Saints' books, "Stammenbuch..." (1693) |
Saint William (Guilielmus, Willelmus), Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Toulouse, founder and monk of Gellone or Valgellon, is often confused with Saint William of Maleval, the founder of the Wilhelmines or Guilielmites, who is called the Great by the Bollandists* (Feb. II. 433). In like manner, further five of the other nine Dukes William of Aquitaine (namely the I., IV., VII., VIII., IX.) are frequently mixed up.
This our Saint William, whom we treat here, is also commemorated on February 10. The Bollandists* write about him in more detail on May 28 (VI. 809). His birth falls in the time of Pepin, the father of Charlemagne. His father was Count Theodorich and his mother's name was Aldana. Both of French lineage, they brought up their son with care, instructing him in piety as well as in all the arts of chivalry.
After Pepin's death, William, who in the meantime had grown into a youth, was recommended by his parents to the Emperor Charlemagne (Charles the Great) and rendered services at court to the great satisfaction of the latter. Since he distinguished himself by special bravery, he was sent against the Saracens, who were already threatening to invade France. This order came directly from the Emperor Charlemagne, who at the same time granted him the dignity of Duke (Dux) of Aquitaine. He defeated the Saracens in several battles and restored freedom and splendour to the Christian name in those parts, while at the same time distinguishing himself by the greatest piety and love of justice.
But all this was still not enough in his eyes, and he therefore made the decision, driven by sublime intentions, to build a new monastery for the King of Heaven. Looking about for a suitable place, he found one in the bishopric of Lodève (Luteva, Ludevum), in a valley called Gellone (Gellon), an hour's ride from the famous Abbey of Aniane. Here, around the year 806, he built a monastery and populated it with monks from neighbouring monasteries, namely from Aniane. He also built a nunnery nearby, which his two sisters, Albana and Bertana, entered. But he himself went back to the court of the emperor, where he was received with all honours.
But since he was increasingly urged by the idea of dedicating his life fully to God, he asked Emperor Charlemagne to allow him to leave the court. Reluctantly, with tears in his eyes, Charlemagne granted William's request, and offered him a myriad of valuable gifts as farewell presents. Saint William, however, politely refused all these material goods and instead asked for the fragment of the Holy Cross that had been sent to the emperor from Jerusalem. Emperor Charles complied with this request with a heavy heart.
Upon hearing of William's determination to leave the worldly life, his friends tried to shake his resolution. He remained adamant, and rode first to Auvergne, to Brioude (Brivate), into the church dedicated to the holy maryr Julianus, and hung up his arms there for good after placing a rich gift on the altar.
From there William galloped all the way across his duchy of Aquitaine (Guienne), without stopping at all, to the monastery of Gellone, where the abbot and his brothers met him with the greatest reverence and led him into the church. In addition to other valuable gifts, he also placed the piece of the Holy Cross, which he had received from Emperor Charlemagne, on the altar.
After a lengthy period of prayer, he revealed his intention to the convent, and with joyful astonishment he was admitted. According to Migne* and Butler* (II. 540 f.), he received the habit from the hands of Saint Benedictus Anianus, who became his spiritual teacher and father. If he had been a model Christian prince in the world, now as a monk he excelled in humility and obedience.
Finally he died on May 28, 812 and was buried in his monastery, which was later named "Saint William in the Wilderness" (St-Guillaume du desert). In art, our Saint is depicted in various ways: he is frequently seen wrestling with the infernal spirits in a prayer battle; sometimes the devil lies vanquished as a dragon at his feet. Pictorial reminders of his earlier high position in the world are never absent. (VI. 809.)
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, pp. 556-58)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint William may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
➡️ The list of men called "William, Duke of Aquitaine"
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