Saint William of Eskilsoe

Also known as

William of Aebelhold
William of Aebelholt
William of Ebelholt
William of Eskhill
William of Ise Fjord
William of Paris
William of the Paraclete

Memorial

6 April
formerly 18 June

Profile

Upper class. Educated at the cathedral school of Saint Germain. Priest. Canon at the church of Saint Genevieve in Paris until c.1170. Widespread reputation for holiness and austerity; his life was so austere that his brother priests harassed him into leaving the city. When Pope Eugene III implemented stricter discipline in 1148, William returned and became sub-prior.

When there was a need for some one to help reform the discipline and liturgical devotion of the Danish monasteries, the bishop sent William. While working at Eskilsoe, he became its abbot, and stayed for 30 years. Faced opposition from lax brothers and local nobles, but never flinched. Founded the abbey of Saint Thomas in Aebelholt, Zeeland. His extensive correspondence has survived, and is a valued source for Danish history of the period.

Born

1125 at Paris, France

Died

6 April (Easter Sunday) 1203 in Denmark of natural causes
buried at Aebelholt

Canonized

21 January 1224 by Pope Honorius III

Name Meaning

strong helmet (from wil-helm)

Representation

receiving a vision of Saint Genevieve
a torch lighting itself by touching his grave

Additional Information

Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Encyclopedia
For All The Saints
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson

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