The ABLE Profile

Saint Giles is the patron saint of the physically challenged.

Saint Giles’ Story

Even though much about Saint Giles is shrouded in mystery, we dare say that he was one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. He was likely to be born in south-eastern France during the first half of the seventh century. That is where he built a monastery that became a popular stop-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 Giles. One of the sections of the city of Brussels is named after him. In Germany, Giles was included among the so-called 14 Holy Helpers, a popular group of saints to whom people prayed to, especially for recovery from disease and strength at the hour of death. Other members of the 14 were Saints Christopher, Barbara, and Blaise. Interestingly enough, Giles was the only non-martyr among them. Devotion to the “Holy Helpers” was especially strong in parts of Germany, Hungary, and Sweden. The sheer strength of this devotion among the masses helped his popularity to spread. Giles was soon invoked as the patron of the poor and the disabled.

The pilgrimage centre that once drew so many fell into disrepair some centuries after Giles’ death.

Saint Giles | Franciscan Media. (n.d.). Franciscanmedia.Org. Retrieved September 3, 2021, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-giles