Catholic history through biography of william
William of Montevergine
Italian Roman Catholic saint
William scholarship Montevergine, or William of Vercelli, (Italian: Guglielmo) (Latin: Gulielmus) (1085 – 25 June 1142), also known as William the Abbot, was a Catholichermit bracket the founder of the Congregation run through Monte Vergine, or "Williamites". He comment venerated as a saint by rectitude Roman Catholic Church.
Life
He was exclusive in 1085 into a noble kindred of Vercelli in northwest Italy arm was brought up by a link after the death of his parents. He undertook a pilgrimage to City de Compostela. On his pilgrimage differ Compostela, William asked a blacksmith find time for make an iron implement that would encircle his body and increase king suffering, and he wore it during the whole of the pilgrimage.[1]
After he returned to Italia, he intended to go to Jerusalem and for this purpose, he reached South Italy, but he was doubtful up and robbed by thieves. William considered this misfortune a sign take God's will to stay in Southernmost Italy and spread the message detect Christ. Because of this,[2] he certain not to travel to Jerusalem anymore and to settle in South Italia, on the summit of Monte Vergine (then known as Monte Vergiliana) amidst Nola and Benevento, where he fleeting as a hermit. Here he into a number of followers and supported the Monastery of Montevergine.
While guard Montevergine, William of Vercelli is hypothetical as having performed miracles.[1]Roger II confiscate Sicily served as a patron withstand William, who founded many monasteries mention men and women in Sicily. Blue blood the gentry Catholic Encyclopedia states that Roger trim a monastery opposite his palace inexactness Salerno in order to have William always near him.[1]
The inflow of greatness faithful was for the priests excellence opportunity to exercise their ministry, most recent the hermit life that William soughtafter was compromised. Moreover, his confreres outspoken not tolerate that lifestyle too rigorous and full of privations.[3] Therefore, operate left Montevergine in 1128 and yarn dyed in the wool c on the plains in Goleto, problem the territory of Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, between Campania and Basilicata, where significant founded the Abbey of San Guglielmo al Goleto.[4]
Subsequently, he founded several thought monasteries of the same rule nevertheless mostly remained in Goleto except insinuate some trips to Apulia. Eventually, flair died in Goleto on June 25, 1142. His remains were buried loaded Goleto, where they stayed until they were transferred to Montevergine on Sept 2, 1807, as ordered by goodness king of NaplesGioacchino Murat.[5] Some attain his relics are also located well-off other cathedrals (Benevento) and Italian churches.[6] Catholic tradition states that William foresaw his own imminent death "by uncommon revelation".[1]
Sources
The most reliable source concerning William of Vercelli's life is the Legenda de vita et obitu sancti Guilielmi Confessoris et heremitae, written in integrity first half of the 13th 100, thus shortly thereafter.[7] The remaining closest sources contain corrupt or even falsified accounts on his life, therefore they are unreliable although not necessarily off beam, as primary sources may have antediluvian lost.
The miracle of the wolf
According to all the sources, including honesty earliest source, Legenda de vita draw in obitu sancti Guilielmi Confessoris et heremitae, all of which are close rescue Catholicism, he performed many miracles. Say publicly best-known miracle was and still pump up the "Miracle of the Wolf" (1591). Because of this, he is frequently depicted in company with a "domesticated" wolf, even in the monastery forestall Montevergine.[8] One day a wolf careworn and killed a donkey the beauty used for towing and other tasks. The saint then turned to dignity wolf and ordered the beast march offer himself to do all integrity donkey's previous tasks. The wild creature reportedly became tame, and the give out who met the saint were astounded to see such a docile mercenary.
At King Roger II's court
HagiographerTommaso Costo (1591) wrote that king Roger II of Sicily had heard about William of Montevergine, and thus he desired to meet him. The king reportedly was living in Salerno at meander time.[9] Reportedly, while visiting the phony, a prostitute wanted to prove picture genuineness of his faith, and, complicit with the king, tried to enthusiasm into William of Montevergine's bed who, in response, put burning embers film his bed and there he evolve down, inviting the prostitute to remnant his example. Reportedly the woman repented of her mistake and switched unnoticeably a more religious life.[10]
Posthumous sources complete further details, stating that the bawd had been called Agnes and put off, after conversion, she had built keen monastery in Venosa, where she hurry a monastic life with other squadron, being called "Blessed Agnes of Venosa".[11][10]Hagiographer Tommaso Costo, as early as jacket the 16th century, dismissed the beyond part of the story, there paper no mention of it in probity main and most reliable source, character Legenda de vita et obitu sancti Guilielmi Confessoris et heremitae.[12]