A nobleman from Antioch who served the state, William dedicated himself to God after his widowhood. Having traveled to Jerusalem to find his son Peregrine, he encountered him by chance while the latter was caring for him in a hospital. They spent their final days in Italy, in Foggia, leading a life of piety and charity.
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SAINT WILLIAM AND SAINT PEREGRINE, HIS SON (13th century).
Origins and secular life
William was born in Antioch into a wealthy family and led an exemplary life in the service of the State, combining civic duties with Christian piety.
Saint William w Saint Guillaume Saint originally from Syria, a state official who became a pilgrim and hermit. as a native of Antio ch, in S Antioche Ancient city where Saint Publia and her community resided. yria; he was born to very wealthy parents who gave him an education worthy of his rank. He married, entered the service of the State, and fulfilled all his duties with the most scrupulous fidelity, according to the true spirit of Christianity, the spirit of love and filial obedience toward God.
When he prayed, he had the recollection of an angel; he was full of respect for religion and its ministers; tender and charitable toward the poor and the needy; always eager to come to the aid of those who were the object of persecution or unjust vexations. As for himself, he imposed upon himself the greatest mortifications, and he was so resigned to the will of God that he seemed to have entirely renounced his own.
The education of Peregrinus
William transmits his values to his son Peregrinus by example. After William's widowhood, father and son dedicate themselves together to the spiritual life.
William had a son named Peregr inus, wh Pérégrin Son of Saint William, companion in pilgrimage and ascetic life. om he endeavored to inspire, through the strictest supervision, with the principles of all virtues: he was convinced that nothing would be more effective in this regard than the paternal example; thus, his son did not take long to become not only the sweetest consolation of his parents, but also a model of true piety.
After the death of his wife, William resolved to renounce all the affairs of this world, and to dedicate himself only to the Lord and to the salvation of his soul. The father and son thus spent several years in a pious union, edifying one another and occupying themselves only with the means of pleasing God, without concerning themselves with temporal things.
Pilgrimage and Reunion in the Holy Land
Peregrinus sets out on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and serves in a hospital. William eventually joins him, and the two men are fortuitously reunited during an illness.
When Peregrinus had reached manhood, he asked his father for permission to make a pilgrimage to Jerusal em and to Jérusalem Holy city where the Cross was lost and subsequently recovered. visit the Holy Places. After finishing his devotions, he remained for some time in the Holy Land and took service in a hospital to provide care to the sick free of charge. Meanwhile, his father, who loved him tenderly, awaited his return, and seeing himself constantly disappointed in his expectation, he set out himself for Jerusalem in order to see his son once more. But his health was so weakened at the end of his journey that he found himself forced to ask to be admitted to a hospital. God willed that it should be precisely the one in which Peregrinus was fulfilling his duties of charity. The father did not recognize his son, and the latter only made himself known when the illness took a serious turn. What was then the joy of the father when, in this nurse so full of care and attention, he saw his own son. They embraced with a holy ardor, and, soon after, they had the consolation of being able to set out again for their homeland. They sold everything they possessed in Antioch, made a second journey to Jerusalem, gave the proceeds of their sale to the hospital for the benefit of the poor and the sick, and left for Italy, where they settled in the part of the Kingdom of Naples that has been called the Capitanata. There they exerted a salutary influence on the people through their words and conduct, and became, for a great number, an instrument of salvation. Shortly after, the old man, burdened with years, fell ill and died, rich in virtues and merits. This blow was so painful to Peregrinus that he did not delay in following his father to the celestial dwellings. This death occurred in the 14th century, and it is on April 26 that they are publicly honored together in Foggia Foggia Italian city of which William and Peregrinus are the patrons. , of which they are the patrons.
Mission in Italy and posterity
After selling their possessions, they settled in Italy in the Capitanata. They died there in the 14th century and became the patrons of Foggia.
We have borrowed this biographical notice from the continuators of Godescard Godescard Hagiographer and translator, primary author of the source. .
Source of the entry
The text is based on the work of the continuators of Godescard.
We have borrowed this biographical notice from the continuators of Godescard.
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