St. William of Gellone

AKA Duke William of Aquitaine … Knight and Benedictine Monk.

                  

                  

                  

          

                           

   

                  Born: 755 AD, France

                  Died: 28 May, c. 812 AD, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert France

                  Founder: Benedictine Monastery, he himself became a Monk until his death.

                  Beatified in 1066

                  Feast Day: May 28, the day of his death.

                  Children: Bernard of Septimania, Bera, Count of Barcelona, Gaucelm,                                               Teodoric III d'Autun

                  Parents: Aldana, daughter of Charles Martel, Thierry IV

                  Monk of St. Benedictine Order

St. William of Gellone was regarded as the exemplar of Christian knighthood and was said to be related to King Charles the Great or King Charles the 1^st. King Charles was the King of Franks from 768, the King of Italy from 774, and the first Roman Emperor in Western Europe since the collapse of the Western Roman Empire three centuries earlier. St. William spent at least most part of his youth at King Charles’s court as courtier.

St. William was chosen by the Great Emperor to lead his army in a campaign against the invaders from Moors in France and Spain, He fought with distinction. William defeated the invaders at Orange, as a result King Charles named him Duke of Aquitaine to repay him for his service.

Throughout his military career, he displayed exemplary chivalry and was honored as the ideal knight. However, he gave up the sword and became dedicated to the promotion of the faith. In 804, William founded a monastery at Gellone, and assigned the direction of this monastery to the famed St. Benedict of Aniane, father of Western monks. In 806, with King Charles permission, William entered the monastery as a monk, practicing the angelic habit until his holy death in May 28, 812.  He was canonized in 1066 by Pope Alexander II.

References:                 

                 

http://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/vgellone

http://www.renneslechateau.nl/2009/05/24/william-of-gellone/

http://miroir.mrugala.net/Arisitum/abbaye/gellone.htm

http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j263sd_William_5_28.html

http://catholicsaints.info/tag/saints-who-were-dukes/

http://artsalesindex.artinfo.com/auctions/Francisco-Zurbaran-4640403/St.-William-Of-Aquitaine

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2134

http://www.languedoc-france.info/060600_guilhem.htm

Additional Information:

• Catholic Encyclopedia
• books
• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
• other sites in english
• Catholic Online
• Wikipedia
• sites en français
• Fête des prénoms
• La chançun de Willame
• St Guilhem le Desert
• Wikipedia
• siti in italiano
• Santi e Beati
• Wikipedia

San Guillermo De Catmon

LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER:  Who's the Patron Saint of  Catmon, Cebu?

With no profound understanding and enough rationale, I don't know why the Fiesta Execom keep on using the name San Guillermo "De AQUITANIA" as if they are certain of the story behind the name, they could have used San Guillermo "De CATMON" as reflected in the commemorative inscription made of concrete or special material conspicuously mounted to a big stone in front of the Church (see attached pictures).

San Guillermo De Catmon or St. William of Catmon is nicer, comfortable, and even more practical to hear. Aquitaine/Aquitania, Gellone, and Malevalle are ancient names of places where San Guillermo is said to have originated or died. “The Great” and or “The Hermit”, are titles given to a person for his life’s achievements, works, and or dedications… a title befitted to a person, just like a “Saint or Sainthood”, a person has to earned it through a lot of sacrifices and even death. This is also another option… to use “Saint William The Great” (San Guillermo Magno/El Grande) or “Saint William The Hermit” (San Guillermo El Ermitaño ) as we have been calling Him ever since.

Below excerpt is taken from the book Balaanong Bahandi: “Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu” which is the only reliable source on the historical development of the parishes in the towns and cities of Cebu, as follows:

“The church of Saint William the Hermit (San Guillermo El Ermitaño) in Catmon, Cebu was built in November 2, 1835 by the Augustinian-Recollects after Catmon became an independent parish from Danao. The site where the church now stands was the third and final place chosen by its founder…”

Take note of the word "Hermit" after Saint William the, it connotes that our Patron Saint was a Hermit or Ermitanyo and breathe his last on February 10, 1157... the reason WHY we celebrate on this day to Honor San Guillermo and renew our faith.

St. William of Aquitania or St. William of Gellone as the author of the story of his life written in the Jubilee Year Book referred to was not a Hermit, but an Aristocrat… a person of noble character. He was not a Hermit; He spent his life in a monastery and remained a lay brother until his death in May 28, 812. His feast day is on May 28, the day he died.

The story of San Guillermo of Catmon in question began when the first souvenir Fiesta program was released in the form of a Jubilee Year Book. Everyone was in a haste collecting information and digging some buried history of Catmon to be featured in said program. I was the Youth Representative then in the Parish Pastoral Council being the President of the Catmon Student Organiztion “CASO” which was very active at the time. I, too have my piece in that program.

I wasn't interested in the story of our Patron Saint until a year ago when I came across a website with conflicting views, and this catches my attention… so the scooping goes. The more I dig the more it interests me. I am not trying to be knowledgeable because I’m not… I am just hoping that somebody out there with specifics and credibility would come out in open and share his blessings. It is a blessing to have kept this wonderful story of our Patron Saint and we will be so blessed if shared with us.

For more facts, please click below link:

https://sites.google.com/site/catmonanonsabako/home/the-saint/essentialfacts

Featured on February 8, 2014:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CatmonanonSabAko/permalink/615731558492965/?stream_ref=2

BARUGANAN: "Philippine Politics... Juan's Perspective."

Months back Politicians were very busy jumping from one political party to the other... these politicians are called political butterflies... hopping from one flower to the other, and to the other... and to the other... LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BETTER... FOR SOMETHING JUICY AND SWEET!?

Political Butterflies are the root cause of political instability, and political instability engenders poor economic growth if not economic fall down… THINK!

Vote buying, deployment of goons, and the use of guns are signs of political immaturity. These three are called 3Gs’ and are synonyms of Philippine electoral process. By not defying this tradition one should stop complaining about poverty and government neglect and abuses after all you yourself is partly to blame… How much is your vote worth?

Sad to say, the people who complain the most are the people who sell their vote for a measly amount of money. Shall I say “GABA na!” or pray for them… that one day they will come to realize the consequence of their action. Vote “NOT” for the politicians who will shell out a few pesos in exchange for your right to benefit from their services… in exchange for your right to fight poverty… in exchange for your right to denounce paucity… in exchange for your right to live a reputable life… YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN A SQUANDERER!... YOU DESERVE A MUCH BETTER… PRICELESS LIFE! 

After the 1896 revolution against Spanish colonialism, the Philippines emerged as a nation; its fledgling politico-economic elite’s governing experience was limited to collecting tax. On the other hand, the United States showcases the American style democracy… the importance of the democratic governance. I don’t know what country introduces corruption and the kind of system presently enjoyed by a few who benefited from it but a nightmare to the many who are living penniless and homeless.

PAGBUTYAG O PAGPADAYAG

Pagbutyag O Pagpadayag

Hinagiban kini sa usa ka Lungsuranon nga mituo nga siya adunay kagawasan sa pagbutyag o pagpadayag sa iyang gibati ug hunahuna pinaagi sa mga pulong nga mabasa ug madungog. Igong kaisog ug kahibalo gikinahanglan kini sa pagbutyag sa mga butang nga may kalambigitan sa mga pangandoy sama ni Juan.

Pagduhaduha, pagukon-ukon, ug ang pagkamanggiuwawon mga babag kini sa pagpadayag sa hunahuna hilabi na ang kakulang sa kaisog. Kay lagi paryente, igso, kumare, kumpare, silingan, higala, kabit, o’ hinigugma ba hinuon, mga babag usab kini sa pagpadayag… batasan sa kinaiyahan, babag sa kalamboan.

Ang dili pagpadayag aron ingnon nga buotan ug diyosnon, nga walay mansa sa kaugalingon, usa usab kini sa mga babag sa pagkab-ot sa damgo sa mga kabos ug timawa. Gilihay nimo ang imo kaugalingon sa pagpanday sa mga butang nga unta adunay kalambigitan sa kaayuhan ug kangil-aran… mga butang nga maoy mag-umol sa kaugmaon natong tanan.

Ang pagpakahilom tungod sa kinaugalingon nga rason, sama ra nga gihikawan mo ang imo kaugalingon sa katungod sa pagdamgo sa ugma nga malamboon. Basola ang imo kaugalingon kung ikaw naa sa kawad-on kay gumikan sa imong pagpakahilom nauyamot kining lungsod sa Catmon… Ikaw ang hudas sa mga lungsoranon.

Ang kakulang sa kahibalo, wala kitay mahimo, usa sab kini sa mga babag sa pagpagawas sa hunahuna. Kinahanglan na gayud nga kita magmata, pukawon ta ang mga nahikatulog, lamdangan ta ang mga nagpakaaroningnon, ug giyahan ta ang mga buta ug bungol. Kitang tanan managhiusa, ipalanog ta ang konsensya alang sa kalamboan ug kalinaw sa atong mahal nga lungsod… Pagkaanindot Higala… Kung May Konsensya.

Ipadayag Ang Konsensya… Puohon Ta Ang Laksot Nga Kinaiya… Mga Hudas Sa Uyamot Nga Katilingban.

IKATAWA na lang, Juan...

"Ikatawa na lang, Juan..."

Juan: Nyor Politiko, pagkadaghan ba sa libaong ani nga dalan nyor… Kanus-a man kaha ni nimo mapaayo?

Nyor Politiko: Hah, unsa to, Kabahong? Sus, naa ko daghan ana sa gamay pa ko, badlongon lagi ta sige lang ug duwa… O oi, dugay pud na siya maayo.

Juan: Dili kabahong nyor politico, kining mga LIBA-ONG ba!

Nyor Politiko: Aw! O oi! Lami na siya, hilabi na kung iparis nimo ug dukot nga bahaw nga mais… hasta lami-a anang Amahong!

Juan: (Kalot sa ulo bisag dili katol…) Diiiilii A-m-a-h-o-n-g nyor oi… Kini bang mga libaong o, naa sa imo tungod o… Libaong ba!

Nyor Politiko: (Nisaka ang kilay…) Hah, Unsa to!? Naunsa kamang kanahana ka? Buhi pa gani ko nagpapili pa gyud… hisgotan ko nimo anang Kabaong… Ano ba!? Gusto ko nimong patyon!?

Juan: Haaayyyy… pagka…A….ummm. 

(Hunghong ni Juan… “HALA BOTOHI PA NINYO”…)

MATAG KALIRING SA ADLAW

Matag kaliring sa adlaw;

Nagkahait, nagkainit ang ligid sa politika;

Pagkadaghan sa dughan daw gikulata;

Dili masabot ang kahinam nga gibati;

Daghan ang gabutokbutok sa kalagot;

Ang uban nanghimaraut ug nanghinaot;

Nga ako, ikaw, kitang tanan masukamod;

Mga himantayon ug mga matumutumoon;

Matag kaliring sa adlaw… Nagkainit… Nagkahait.

Daot diri, daot didto, saway diri, saway didto;

Gadilaab, gakayo maora ug Santilmo;

Gadaiyang matang sa kaisug ug kalagot;

Gisinggit, gipadayag ang kahiubos;

Ang uban nagpaukoukon kay nahadlok;

Adunay nagpanuko kay kuno naikog;

Giluom, gitak-um para ingnon hilomon;

Ipaagi nalang sa utot ug sekreto ibagutbot;

Matag kaliring sa adlaw… Nagkainit… Nagkahait.

Kining tanan nasaksihan ni Juan;

Gipaminaw ug gihinuktukan, gitisuk sa alimpatakan;

Ang mga saad ug pasalig para sa kalamboan;

Kaugmaon sa tanan kada adlaw gihisgutan;

Apan si Juan nga nagilaid sa kalisdanan;

Kakha tuka, sama sa manok nga binuhian;

Boto maoy bugtong hait nga hinagiban;

Pagpuo sa babag, pagpapas sa mga hinungdan;

Pagsumpo sa mga nagpasagad ug naghikaw;

Niining damgo sa uyamot nga kausbawan;

Matag kaliring sa adlaw… Nagkainit… Nagkahait.

IT IS TIME!

IT IS TIME!

It is time! It is time … now is the season for political bickering. Politicians are expected to apply their tricks; their lessons learned – the all-left-foot dancing style, the karaoke talent, the all-smile-always scenario, the constant hand waving and hand shaking, and the worst the heavenly promises and lies. Politicians are badmouthing each other, making the electoral process more of a mockery and showdowns, shameful to the eyes of the educated few but heroic to the many misguided and misinformed. Promising the moon and the stars are common context of their speeches, and endowment with blinding gift or gifts in the hope for more votes are usual practices. When are we going to learn?

Some are like angel, a savior, a prophet… like somebody holding the world, and believing self is the only way out and the best there is… whimsical and cynical are some of these creatures… It is time! It is time to wake up and stay awake… It is time to heed the call of conscience… It is time to cut apart the fiction from fact… It is time to make a distinction and set apart the twisted from the straight. Let the ills of our country be the guiding principle in choosing our Servants. Yes, indeed, SERVANTS during campaign, but MASTERS when get elected.

Many made political mastery their career, the elective position their profession and income generating sources to define their livelihood. Many are beginners and doesn’t even have something worthwhile to call their own and yet very brave in offering help when they have nothing to present but only political name and the backing of their political gods. WHY not choose somebody who made a name out of sweat, who has proven to be efficient and resourceful, who has the backing not by his gods but by his credibility and achievements.

Many deserve, but don’t know the “How’s” of politics and many doesn’t have interest at all. If only people would see it differently, vote not by the smiles, vote not by the dance, vote not by the song, vote not by the political name, vote not by their political gods, vote not by their goons and guns, vote not by their gold… then, and only then, perhaps deserving people who does not have political background, who does not have political appetite, and those who does not possess the TRAPOs’ talents (mentioned above) will throw their hats in the political arena. Then, it will be good for our Country… It will be better for our Community.

I am a Catmonanon by birth, blood, and by heart whose endurance for political maturity amongst its constituents, whose hope for peaceful and honest election, whose desire for a greater country… for a greater Catmon… until now… remains a dream. God Help Us!

San Guillermo Help Us! Amen.