William
was born into an illustrious French family and raised in the
Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés under the tutelage of his
uncle, Abbot Hugh. The regularity of his conduct and virtuous life
earned him the admiration of the community.
After being ordained a
sub-deacon, he was appointed a canon of the Church of
Sainte-Geneviève-du-Mont in Paris where the sanctity of his life greatly
annoyed his worldly and lax fellow-canons. They mocked him for his more
disciplined life and so persecuted him that William was forced to
resign his canonry. However, in 1148, during a visit to Paris by Blessed
Pope Eugene III, the latter observed the canonical laxity that reigned
at Sainte-Geneviève-du-Mont and replaced the canons with more observant
men thus vindicating William’s reputation. Under the direction of the
famous Abbot Suger a new canonry with a stricter set of rules was
established. William rejoined the community and, in a short time, became
sub-prior.
William tempered his zeal for regular discipline with
so much sweetness and humility that he led all to practice the rule
with joy. The fame of his wisdom and sanctity even reached the ears of
Absalon, the Bishop of Roskilde in Denmark, who sent his provost, the
historian Saxo the Grammarian, to ask William to come to Denmark to help
with the much-needed reforms there.
The prospect of hardships
and challenges in the service of Our Lord inspired William to accept the
invitation, and he cheerfully traveled to Denmark. There, he was
appointed Abbot of Eskilsoë and, although he faced many difficulties
both from powerful people and from within himself, he triumphed through
prayer and patience. His apostolic zeal and perseverance bore much fruit
for the Catholic Faith in Denmark during the thirty years he lived
among the Danes. He also founded the Abbey of St. Thomas in Aebelhold
(Ebelholt) in Zeeland and traveled to Rome to intercede with the Pope on
behalf of the king’s sister, Ingelburga, who had been repudiated by her
royal husband, King Philip Augustus of France.
William died in Denmark on April 6, 1203 and was canonized in 1224 by Pope Honorius III.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
St. William of Eskilsoë
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