St. Gilbert of Sempringham

St. Gilbert was the pastor of a church at Sempringham and one at Terrington, in Lincolnshire, England. Under his guidance and ex ample, many of his parishioners led lives of sanctity. He drew rule for seven young women who lived in strict enclosure in a house up a adjoining St. Andrew’s Church at Sempringham.

As the foundation grew, Gilbert added lay sisters and then lay brothers to work the and. Then he added the canons regular, as chaplains. This was the origin of the order that became known as the Gilbertines. It was primarily a women’s order, but at its head was a canon, the master general. Eventually, Gilbert himself became master general. He re signed when he lost his sight. The order grew until it had twenty-six houses. It was dissolved at the time of Henry VIII.

Gilbert led a very austere life. He ate so little that those around him wondered how he stayed alive. He always had on his table a plate which he called “the plate of the Lord Jesus.” Into this he put all the best food that was served at his table, and he saved it for the poor. He wore a hair shirt. He took his rest sitting up. He spent most of every night in prayer.

When Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was exiled, Gilbert was accused of sending him aid. This was not true, but Gilbert did not deny the charge because he did not want to be classed as an enemy of the archbishop. He faced a sentence of exile but was saved by the intervention of King Henry II. When he was nearly ninety Gilbert had another cross to bear; he was slandered by some of the lay brothers of his order. He died at the age of 106 and was canonized twelve years later.

Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Gilbert of Sempringham on February 16th. You may also be interested to read the Biography of St. Gregory VIII and the Biography of  St. Henry II