St. William of Eskilsoë
Apr 06
Founder of the Abbey of St. Thomas in Aebelhold
William was born into an illustrious French family and raised in the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés under the tutelage of his uncle, Abbot Hugh. The regularity of his conduct and virtuous life earned him the admiration of the community.
After being ordained a sub-deacon, he was appointed a canon of the Church of Sainte-Geneviève-du-Mont in Paris where the sanctity of his life greatly annoyed his worldly and lax fellow-canons. They mocked him for his more disciplined life and so persecuted him that William was forced to resign his canonry.