Saints and Blesseds

St. Gilbert, Abbot

October 26

Gilbert was born of the French noble family of Courtenay towards the end of the 11th century. He was educated as a knight in the court of King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Younger. Here he developed his gifts as a pious gentleman, a skilled diplomat and a fierce warrior. Eventually he settled on the estates of his family in Auvergne with his wife Petronilla and his daughter Ponzia. Gilbert's home was located near the Norbertine Abbey of Dilo, whose abbot, Ornulph became Gilbert's spiritual director. About 1146 a Crusade was called with the enthusiastic endorsement of St. Bernard of Clairfaux. Abbot Ornulph encouraged Gilbert ot answer the call to arms. Gilbert joined the armies of King Louis of France and Emperor Conrad of Germany as they made their way across Hungary, through Constantinople, and eventually to the Holy Land. Gilbert quickly discovered that the greatest enemy of the Christian troops was not the infidel, but the lack of discipline and good faith among the Crusaders themselves. Twice the vast army was led into ambushes as a result of its own soldiers being bribed by the Saracens. In fact, the army became so demoralized that both king and emperor sought for new, fresh leadership. Gilbert was chosen as one of the principal commanders of the army. With his military prowess and spiritual insight, he helped lead the army to one of its few overwhelming victories against the Saracens on the road from Ephesus to Jerusalem. After two years, Gilbert returned home. He was so filled with sadness and repugnance for the spirit of the world he had experienced abroad that he determined to enter religious life. With the advice of Abbot Ornulph and the permission of his wife and daughter, Gilbert retired to the wilderness of Neuf-Fontaines. There he built a hospital for the poor and eventually, with the help of Abbot Ornulph, founded the Abbey of Neuf-Fontaines. B. Hugh, abbot of Prémontré, later named Gilbert first abbot of Neuf-Fontains. In the meantime, Petronilla and Ponzia liad the foundations for the norbertine convent of Aubeterre. Petronilla was its first prioress and, at her death, was succeeded by Ponzia. Abbot Gilbert spent the rest of his days attending to the needs of the poor and the sick with great love. It was siad that if his tears fell upon a wound, it would be healed instantly. Mothers used to bring their delicate and deformed children to Gilbert, who blessed them, reading over them the Gospel: "Let the little children come to me, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." To this day Gilbert is invoked for the cure of sickly children. Gilbert died on June 6, 1152 and was buried in the cemetery of th epoor at his request. He is pictured trampling the shield and sword of war beneath his feet and carrying the Crusader's flag aloft, thereby illustrating the fact that Gilbert placed the crusading spirit at the service of his heavenly king.

PRAYER

Loving Father, you called your servant Gilbert to put down the weapons of war and take up the works of charity and peace. Through his intercession, may our world come to experience the peace which surpasses all understanding. We ask this through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

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Reprinted with permission of St. Michael's Abbey, Orange, California, U.S.A.