THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT WILLIAM OF BOURGES (William of Donjeon)
The Patron of the University of Paris and Gunsmiths
Feast Day: January 10
St. William (also known as Guillaume de Donjeon) was born around 1140 in Nevers, France.
His father initially intended for Guillaume to join the army. However, Guillaume took the ecclesiastical way of life instead. His ecclesial tutoring was handled by his uncle, the Soissons archdeacon Pierre (Peter the hermit). William eventually abandoned worldly pursuits and joined the Order of Grandmont.
He stayed with the order for some time and followed their practices with immense dedication. When he discovered that the members were no longer cordial with each other, he left and joined the Cistercians. At the Pontigny Abbey in France, he donned the habit and was soon made Prior. He was appointed Abbot of Fontaine-Jean Abbey in 1184. Also in 1200, he was made abbot of Chaalis Abbey.
Saint William nurtured a genuine and true dedication to the Blessed Sacrament. For this reason, he was often at the altar, meditating on the true meaning of the Sacrament.
In 1200, William was appointed Archbishop of Bourges. He was reluctant to accept this new appointment because it meant abandoning his solitary life of meditation and prayer. Pope Innocent III, as well as other religious superiors, encouraged him to take the position. William agreed but continued his asceticism practices throughout the rest of his life. He always wore a shirt made from hair beneath his bishop's habit and completely gave up meat.
Bishop William oversaw the ongoing building of the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Stephen that had been started by his predecessor in 1195. He paid visits to the poor and sick regularly. He did not forget the imprisoned as well. He also stood up for the rights of the clerics against government intrusion.
Saint William of Bourges died in 1209 at midnight while meditating at the foot of the altar. He died at the age of 59. Before his death, he had been making plans to visit the Albigensians as part of his missionary work. In his will, he asked that his body be buried in ashes while wearing his hair shirt. His remains are currently interred in the Basilica reliquary chapel. Pope Honorius III declared the canonization of Saint William on May 17, 1218.
Saint William of Bourges is the patron saint of pregnant women, midwives, and people in difficult labor. His devotion to aiding women during childbirth and his deep compassion for those in pain earned him this special patronage. It’s a testament to his unwavering commitment to helping others and his enduring legacy in the realm of compassion and care.
St. William's life was intricately woven into the tapestry of the 12th century, a period marked by both religious fervor and intellectual enlightenment. His story is not only one of spiritual devotion but also a reminder of the dynamic and transformative era in which he lived, where faith and knowledge intertwined to shape the course of history.
