𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏 • 𝐒𝐭. 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐮𝐬

𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓

Eligius (also known as Eloi) was born around 590 near Limoges in France. He became an extremely skillful metalsmith and was appointed master of the mint under King Clotaire II of Paris. Eligius developed a close friendship with the King and his reputation as an outstanding metalsmith became widespread. With his fame came fortune. Eligius was very generous to the poor, ransomed many slaves, and built several churches and a monastery at Solignac. He also erected a major convent in Paris with property he received from Clotaire’s son, King Dagobert I. In 629, Eligius was appointed Dagobert’s first counselor. Later, on a mission for Dagobert, he persuaded the Breton King Judicael, to accept the authority of Dagobert. Eligius later fulfilled his desire to serve God as a priest, after being ordained in 640. Then he was made bishop of Noyon and Tournai. His apostolic zeal led him to preach in Flanders, especially Antwerp, Ghent, and Courtai where he made many converts. Eligius died on December 1, around 660, at Noyon. He is the patron of metalworkers and his feast day is December 1. The use of one’s talents and wealth for the welfare of humanity is a very true reflection of the image of God. In the case of St. Eligius, he was so well liked that he attracted many to Christ. His example should encourage us to be generous in spirit and kind and happy in demeanor.

𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑

𝘚𝘵. 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘶𝘴, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥. 𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴, 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥-𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘮. 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘯.