Blessed Aegidius of Assisi
Blessed Aegidius of Assisi (born c. 1190 AD in Assisi, Umbria, Italy; died April 22, 1262 AD in Perugia, Umbria, Italy) was one of the first three companions of Saint Francis of Assisi and one of the most beloved figures of early Franciscan spirituality. He was the third man to join Francis's band of brothers (c. 1208–1209) and is celebrated for his mystical gifts, his wit, and his memorable sayings. He was beatified in 1777. His feast day is April 23.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Aegidius of Assisi
| Blessed Aegidius of Assisi | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | April 23 |
| Profession | Franciscan friar; third companion of Saint Francis of Assisi (joined c. 1208–1209); mystic; pilgrim; aphorist; laborer (he worked manual jobs throughout his life to support himself) |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Franciscan Order (Friars Minor); early Franciscan community; 13th-century Umbrian mysticism |
| Patronage | Assisi; Perugia; Umbria; Franciscan lay brothers; those who seek simple holiness; mystics; those who work with their hands |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit; a hand raised in ecstasy (his mystical gifts); a book of sayings (his aphorisms); the Assisi or Perugia landscape; a pilgrim's staff (his many pilgrimages) |
| Birthplace | Assisi, Umbria, Italy |
| Death Place | Perugia, Umbria, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died April 22, 1262 AD, at the Franciscan friary of Monteripido near Perugia, where he had lived for many years; he was approximately 72 years old; he had been one of the first companions of Saint Francis for approximately 53 years; he died peacefully; he was immediately venerated as a blessed; his formal beatification came in 1777 |
| Primary Shrine | Monteripido Friary, Perugia — his tomb; April 23 feast; Franciscan pilgrimage |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; April 23 feast in Franciscan Order and Umbria |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in Franciscan Order |
Biography
Aegidius (Giles) was born c. 1190 in or near Assisi. He heard of Francis's movement and joined him c. 1208–1209 — the third man to do so, after Bernard of Quintavalle and Peter Catanio. He was part of the original small band of friars who went to Rome c. 1209–1210 to seek Pope Innocent III's oral approval for their way of life.
He spent his long life in prayer, manual labor, and pilgrimage. He made pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Compostela, and other sites. He attempted briefly to preach in Tunisia. In his later years he lived at Monteripido near Perugia, where he became famous for his mystical ecstasies.
His sayings — the Dicta — are among the most quoted texts of early Franciscan spirituality, combining simple wit with deep theological insight. Saint Bonaventure visited him in his old age and was moved by his prayer.
He died April 22, 1262, at Monteripido. He was beatified by Pope Pius VI (confirmation of ancient cult, 1777).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Assisi, Umbria, Italy
Death location: Perugia, Umbria, Italy
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Known shrines
- Monteripido Friary, Perugia — his tomb; April 23 feast.
Feast day
April 23
Veneration
Blessed Aegidius of Assisi (Giles) was the third companion of Saint Francis, known for his mystical ecstasies and memorable sayings ("Paris, Paris, thou destroyest Assisi!"). He spent his last decades in prayer at Monteripido near Perugia, where Saint Bonaventure visited him. Beatified 1777. Feast April 23.
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