Saint William of Vercelli
Saint William of Vercelli (born c. 1085 AD in Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy; died June 25, 1142 AD in Goleto, near Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Campania, Italy) was an Italian hermit and founder of the Congregation of Monte Vergine (Williamites), a Marian monastic congregation that continues today. He was a reforming figure in the tradition of Benedictine hermit monasticism who founded Monte Vergine as a center of prayer and pilgrimage dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His feast day is June 25.
Stored in Cargo: Saint William of Vercelli
| Saint William of Vercelli | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | June 25 |
| Profession | Benedictine hermit; monastic founder; founder of the Williamite Congregation; pilgrim (Santiago de Compostela); Marian devotee |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Benedictine Order; Congregation of Monte Vergine (Williamites); Marian pilgrimage tradition; 12th-century hermit monasticism; Campania |
| Patronage | Monte Vergine; Campania; Benedictine Congregation of Monte Vergine; pilgrims; Marian devotees; those who seek solitude |
| Attributes | Benedictine habit; a model of Monte Vergine; the Marian image (Mamma Schiavona); pilgrim's staff (Santiago pilgrimage); the Apennine mountain landscape; an angel (from a legend in which an angel appeared to him) |
| Birthplace | Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy |
| Death Place | Goleto, near Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Campania, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died June 25, 1142 AD, at the abbey of Goleto (near Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Campania, southern Italy), which he had founded for women; he was approximately 57 years old; he had founded several monastic communities in southern Italy and had spent much of his life as a wandering hermit and monastic founder; he died in the community he had established for women, which he had entrusted to his close associate Abbess Febronia; his remains were enshrined at Goleto and later translated; the main congregation he founded (Williamites of Monte Vergine) continued and flourishes to the present day |
| Primary Shrine | Sanctuary of Monte Vergine, Campania — the miraculous image of the Mamma Schiavona; approximately 2 million pilgrims annually; one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Italy; Williamite Benedictine community |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); June 25; Feast in the Diocese of Nusco and Campania |
| Historic Class | Double (June 25) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
William was born c. 1085 in Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy, orphaned as a child. He made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela as a teenager and attempted to reach Jerusalem. He became a wandering hermit.
Drawn to Monte Vergine (a mountain in Campania near Naples), he founded a hermitage there c. 1119 AD and dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Disciples gathered; he founded additional monasteries. King Roger II of Sicily was his patron.
He founded the women's abbey of Goleto c. 1133. He died there on June 25, 1142, at approximately age 57.
The Marian sanctuary of Monte Vergine grew around his hermitage and became one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Italy — approximately 2 million pilgrims annually. The miraculous image of the Virgin (Mamma Schiavona) is its center. The Benedictine Congregation of Monte Vergine (Williamites) that he founded continues to serve the sanctuary.
Pope Pius II confirmed his cult in 1456.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy
Death location: Goleto, near Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Campania, Italy
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Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to William of Vercelli have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Powerful Prayer to Saint William of Vercelli | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Prayer to Saint William of Vercelli | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Story of Saint William of Vercelli | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| The Story of Saint William of Vercelli: The Hermit Who Built Faith with His Hands | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Saint William of Vercelli: Founder of Montevergine - Life, Legacy and Miracles (Part 1) | Under 5 minutes | Leyendas De Santos |
| Saint William of Vercelli: Founder of Montevergine - Life, Legacy and Miracles (Part 2) | Under 5 minutes | Leyendas De Santos |
| Saint William of Vercelli, Abbot - June 25th | 5–15 minutes | Saint of the Day |
| St William of Vercelli Founder of Montevergine Life, Legacy & Miracles P1#saints #story #facts | Under 5 minutes | Saints Stories |
| St William of Vercelli Founder of Montevergine Life, Legacy & Miracles P2 #history #saints #faith | Under 5 minutes | Saints Stories |
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Sanctuary of Monte Vergine, Campania — the miraculous Mamma Schiavona; 2 million pilgrims annually.
- Goleto Abbey, near Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi — site of his death.
Feast day
June 25
Veneration
Saint William of Vercelli founded the sanctuary of Monte Vergine c. 1119 AD, now one of Italy's most visited pilgrimage sites (2 million pilgrims annually). The Benedictine Congregation of Monte Vergine (Williamites) descends from his foundation. Feast June 25.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.