Blessed William of Maleval

Also known as
William of Malval
William of Malvalla
William the Great
William the Hermit
Memorial
10 February
Profile
Soldier who spent a wild youth in the military. Following pilgrimages to the Holy Lands, he became superior of an abbey at Pisa, Italy in 1153. He failed in this position, and became a hermit on Mount Bruno. He attracted followers, founded a monastery in 1154, and failed again as abbot. Became a hermit in the area around Siena in 1155 in a wilderness called "Maleval" ("evil valley"). There he attracted followers who were called Williamites, Guillemites, or the barefoot friars. They first following William's severe rule, then the Benedictine, and later the Augustinian. They spread through Italy, France, and Germany, but have not survived until today.
Born
French
Died
10 February 1157 of natural causes
Beatified
1202 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Innocent III
Patronage
armourers; diocese of Laoag, Philippines; diocese of San Fernando La Union, Philippines
Representation
bearing a cross staff, one arm of which ends in a crescent; bearing a shield with four fleur-de-lys; wearing a monastic habit over armor; with a pilgrim's staff
Additional Information
Google Directory
Catholic Online
Catholic Encyclopedia, by Raymund Webster
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Ecole Glossary, by Karen Rae Keck
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