St. Giles
Patron Saint of Beggars, the Poor, the Disabled, and Disasters
St. Giles was born to a wealthy noble family around 650. After his parents’ death, he gave his fortune to the poor. In Greece, St. Giles was known as a miracle worker, but he fled to France where he lived as a hermit to avoid followers. Giles lived in a cave for several years when a deer ran into the cave hiding from a royal hunting party. One hunter shot an arrow into the cave in hopes of hitting the deer, but instead hit Giles in the leg crippling him. Though Giles begged to be left alone, the king visited often and sent doctors to care for his wound. Giles’ fame as a sage and miracle worker spread, and followers gathered near the cave. The king built the monastery of Saint Gilles du Gard for these followers with Giles serving as the first abbot. In this monastery, Giles died in the early eighth century. St. Giles is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and patron of the physically disabled.