Saint Giles & The Twelve Holy Brothers (1 September) | Anti-social for Christ

About this sermon

How should a Christian respond when one unexpected event changes everything? The life of St. Giles teaches us to accept trials as opportunities to conform ourselves more perfectly to the will of God. September 1 commemorates St. Giles the Abbot and the Twelve Holy Brothers, martyrs from North Africa. Although the martyrs were not related by blood, Baptism and the Catholic Faith united them in a bond stronger than nationality or family. In the Church, the water of Baptism truly becomes “thicker than blood.” Born around 650 to a noble Greek family in Athens, St. Giles renounced his wealth and withdrew from the world. After giving his cloak to a sick man who was immediately healed, Giles fled his growing reputation and settled in a forest near the Rhône in France. There he lived in solitude for approximately thirty years, sustained by roots, herbs and the milk of a deer provided by God. One day, the king’s hunters pursued the deer to Giles’s cave. An arrow intended for the animal struck the hermit’s hand. The king then asked Giles to abandon his solitude, found a monastery and guide the pilgrims who would gather there. Everything Giles had sought to avoid was suddenly placed before him—but he accepted it as God’s will. His monastery flourished and became an important destination for medieval pilgrims. St. Giles challenges us to recognize trials not as reasons for despair but as opportunities for spiritual growth, deeper faith and loving surrender to God. 🙏 St. Giles and the Twelve Holy Brothers, pray for us! 00:00 A ferial day with two commemorations 00:28 The Twelve Holy Brothers, Martyrs 00:35 Their persecution in North Africa 00:58 Martyrdoms throughout Italy 01:22 Why they are called brothers 01:38 Baptism creates a bond stronger than blood 02:02 The early life of St. Giles 02:26 Renouncing wealth and seeking solitude 02:51 His journey to France 02:59 The miraculous healing of a poor man 03:25 Thirty years in the forest 03:42 God provides a deer and milk 04:30 The saints master human nature 04:38 The king’s hunters pursue the deer 04:53 St. Giles is struck by an arrow 05:17 Asked to establish a monastery 05:40 God asks him to surrender his own plans 05:55 Accepting a life-changing trial 06:20 St. Giles embraces God’s will 06:35 His lifelong wound 06:51 Conformity to divine providence 07:06 The monastery and pilgrims 07:22 A stop on the Camino de Santiago 07:38 How should we respond to disaster? 08:02 Our desire for a comfortable life 08:24 Trials produce spiritual growth 08:32 Temptation as a test 08:50 Strengthening our faith through trials 09:07 A willingness to change 09:24 Prayer and final blessing https://sensusfidelium.us/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/september/september-1-st-giles-abbot/ Please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Holiness
• Jesus Christ