Giles of Assisi

About Giles of Assisi

Giles was one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi and one of the early Franciscan friars. A simple, uneducated man from Assisi, Giles joined Francis on April 23, 1209, just days after Bernard of Quintavalle, becoming the third Franciscan brother. He accompanied Francis on preaching journeys throughout Italy and went on missions to Tunisia, the Holy Land, and even attempted to reach Spain. Though uneducated in letters, Giles possessed profound spiritual wisdom, which he shared in sayings later collected as "The Golden Sayings of Brother Giles" (Dicta Beati Aegidii). He emphasized contemplation, humility, holy simplicity, poverty, and divine love. Giles spent his later years in contemplation near Perugia at Monte Ripido, receiving visions and mystical experiences, including conversations with angels. His simple holiness and practical wisdom made him beloved. He was beatified but never formally canonized, though widely venerated as Blessed Giles. He represents Franciscan joy, simplicity, and contemplative wisdom.