Saint of the Day – 6 June – Saint Gilbert of Neufontaines O.Praem. (c1076-1152) Abbot, a French Knight and Military Leader, Crusader in the 2nd Crusade , Founder of Neufontaines Monastery and Hospital for the poor ( which he populated with Canons from the Premonstratensian Abbey of Notre-Dame de Dilo), Apostle of the sick especially of ill children, Miracle-worker. Born in c1076 and died on 6 June 1152 at Neufontaines of natural causes. Patronages – of Neuffons and of Auvergne. Also known as – Gilbert of Auvergne, Gilbert of Neuffers. Additional Memorial – 26 October (in Neufontaines and Aubeterre, France).
The Knight Gilbert belonged to the high nobility of Auvergne. Following the advice of Ornifius, the Norbertine Abbot of Dilo, he participated in the Second Crusade (1147-1149) which was preached by St Bernard at Vezelay and led by the French King, Louis VII. This Crusade ended in military disaster.
Having survived this dangerous endeavour, Gilbert decided, together with his wife, Petronilla and his daughter, Ponzia, to dedicate himself to God and enter the monastic life. He distributed a portion of his considerable wealth to the poor and also founded a Convent which his wife and daughter entered. At first, Gilbert himself lived as a Hermit. After completing his novitiate in the Norbertine Abbey of Dilo, in around 1150, he founded the Abbey of Neuffontaines and became its first Abbot. Following the example of St Norbert, he also built a hospital attached to the Abbey which soon became famous because of the many miracles which occurred there.
Penitent and filled with compassion, he cared for a great number of sick and sinful people, whom he wished to cure both spiritually and physically. Children with severe illnesses were brought to him from all over , his compassion so overwhelmed him that he was able to heal with his tears. He laid his hands upon them and gave them back to their parents cured This gave rise to the later custom of parents bringing their sick children to Neuffontaines, clothed in white, seeking the intercession of St Gilbert for cures and miracles..
Gilbert died on 6 June 1152, consumed by penance and hard toil. He had expressed his desire to be buried in the cemetery of the poor who died at the Abbey. But because of the many miracles which God worked through his intercession, his earthly remains were eventually transferred to the Abbey Church of Neuffontaines and, after being lost for a time, were later rediscovered in the Abbey in October 1645. In 1791, the Relics were transferred, for greater safety, to St Didier and, nevertheless, were lost during the tumult and desecration of the French Revolution. St. Gilbert’s Feast Day (26 October) falls on the anniversary of his translation of the 17th Century. Pope Benedict XIII confirmed the veneration of St Gilbert on 22 January and 8 March 1728.
O God, who called Thy Abbot St Gilbert away from the riches of the world that he might enter into the way of poverty, grant, we beseech Thee, that entering into the way of humility, we may strive to serve our brothers. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, One God forever and ever. Amen.
AnaStpaul 