St. Gall
Catholic Church
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St. Gall of Ireland
Abbot and Hermit, Enlightener of Switzerland
Born: Leinster(?), Ireland, c. 550
Died: Arbon, Switzerland, c. 645
It has been suggested that Saint Gall was born of pious, noble and wealthy parents, and is generally thought that he displayed great piety and interest in the Christian faith, but little is actually known of his childhood. With Saint Columban, Gall studied under Saint Comgall at the monastery at Bangor, Ireland, which was renowned throught Europe as a great center of Christian learning. After becaming versed in Scripture, Gall was ordained a priest. (Some sources suggest that Gall's ordination took place at the command of Saint Columban.)
Ahtough Columban has been described as something of a "right-hand man" to Comgall, he felt a call to become a missionary. Despite an apparent reluctance to part with one who had become quite valuable to him, Comgall granted Columban's request to leave the monastery at Bangor and travel east toward the continent of Europe. In approximately 589, Gall became one of the twelve who accompanied Saint Columban on his journey. Gall would never again return to his native country.
While the company's presence in Gaul (France) and founding of the abbey of Luxeuil has been disputed, it seems clear that they eventually--possibly around 610--arrived and settled in Bregentz, a Swiss village near Lake Constance. Here the group preached to the local inhabitants, who may have been less than entirely friendly. One story suggests that the idolators of the region were greatly irritated with Gall, while preaching, broke three statues and cast the pieces into Lake Constance. During their approximately two year stay in Switzerland, Columban and his companions are reputed to have converted many to Christianity and purified and dedicated a formerly idolatrous chapel, including the consecration of an altar, in which Mass was then offered. (It has been suggested that this chapel was previously a small sanctuary built to honor a Roman martyr by the name of Saint Aurelia.)
When Columban went to Italy around the year 612, Gall remained behind as the result of a serious fever. (According to one story, Columban and Gall parted ways because the leader suspected Gall of malingering, and imposed on him a penance, which Gall faithfully observed, of not offering the Holy Sacrifice during the continuance of Columban's life.) Upon his recovery, Gall became a hermit. After selecting a quiet location along the Steinach River for his life of solitude and completing a three day fast, he constructed a stone hut or cell for prayer and an oratory similar to those in Ireland at that time. At some point thereafter, additional cells were supposedly constructed to accommodate twelve monks who joined Gall and whom he instructed. In time, Saint Gall Monastery occupied this site and during the Middle Ages was a leading centre of literature, the arts, and music.
Reputedly Gall was twice offered bishoprics by King Sigebert, whose betrothed he had freed of a demon. In a slightly different version of these events, it is also stated that the clergy who assembled to elect a new bishop for the See of Constance were unanimously in favor of Gall due to his superior learning and sanctity. Gall is reported to have declined the position, stating that the election of a stranger would be contrary to Church law. In his place, Gall proposed his deacon, John, who was duly elected and consecrated as the new bishop of Constance.
In or around the year 625, Gall is reported to have been offered the abbacy of Luxeuil, a monastery founded by Columban, on the death of Saint Eustace. He declined the offer despite the urgings of six members of the abbey who were sent by the monks to offer the position, preferring to remain a hermit rather than undertake an office which might involve him in the affairs and cares of the world.
The date of Gall's death is uncertain although it seems clear that it occurred in Arbon, Switzerland. Some accounts place the year between 627 and 646, while Saint Gall's Church in Bangor asserts a precise date: October 16th, 645, which is celebreated as St. Gall's Day in that region.
A legend about Saint Gall in his solitary life has become well known. The story tells how a bear became St. Galls sole friend in the closing years of his life, and that the bear used to carry logs to the saint so that he could light his fire. The bear has now become the coat of arms for the town of St. Gallen in Switzerland, and the bear carrying the logs is depicted on the wall of the great Cathedral there.
An assiduous preacher of the Gospel, a skilful trainer of people in the work of evangelisation, and a man of remarkable holiness of his life, Saint Gall left an abiding mark on the country in which he worked. His memory has long been revered in the locality of his labours and he has become known and honoured as the Apostle of Switzerland.
Troparion of Saint Gall tone 8
As a companion of the great Columban,
thou didst travel throughout the lands of the Franks, O Father Gall,
thy ascetic life contrasting with that of the worldly prelates whom thou didst encounter.
Open to us, we pray thee, the treasures of sacrifice and struggle,
that we too may attain the joy of eternal salvation.
Please note that this is not intended to be a definitive or particularly scholarly biography of Saint Gall. The above information was gleaned from a number of web sites from around the world.