St. William – January 10th
St. William came from a wealthy French family, but even as a young boy, he did not care to waste time fooling around or being idle. He spent much time praying. When he joined the Cistercian Order, he was such a good monk that the others were inspired just by looking at him. Yet he always considered himself the least among his brethren.
St. William had a great devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He practiced penance, but he was always very happy. When he was made the Abbot of his community, he remained as humble as ever. At the death of the Archbishop of Bourges, William was chosen to take his place. But so humble was he that he cried on receiving this new honor. Yet he accepted it and did even more penance than before, to convert sinners. Although he loved to be alone with God, he traveled all over his diocese to preach, to visit the poor and the sick, to console them and bring them to Christ. When he died he was buried in ashes, as he had asked.
The more we read about the Saints, the more we find that they really became saints by praying, obeying and doing penance.
