September 12: Saint Guy of Anderlecht

Today, September 12, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Guy of Anderlecht (also Saint Guido, 950-1012), a Belgian Christian known as the “Poor Man of Anderlecht.” Saint Guy was poor in material possessions throughout his life, but rich in the love, generosity, and grace of God. He worked tirelessly at the most menial of tasks, and gained a reputation for almsgiving, despite his own lack of the most basic needs. Although he never joined a particular religious order, Saint Guy was visited for spiritual direction by many, and through his model, brought many closer to Christ.

Born in Anderlecht, Belgian, a small village outside of Brussels, Guy was raised and instructed by poor, but pious parents. From an early age, he demonstrated great devotion to the Lord, and to Our Blessed Mother Mary. He proclaimed while still a child his wish to count himself among the special flock of Christ—the poor—for his entire life, and dedicated himself to a life of poverty and service to those who had nothing. Throughout his childhood, he gave away all he had, and spent his days visiting the sick and elderly of the town. It is said that when he worked the fields of his parents, an angel came and pushed the plow so that he might better pray undisturbed. Guy came to be recognized as a saint by many!

As Guy matured, his devotion only multiplied. He spent hours in prayer each day, rarely sleeping but instead contemplating the Lord. He traveled frequently to the church of Our Lady at Laeken, outside Brussels, and demonstrated such devotion to Mary that the priest approached him, and asked him to stay and serve the Church. It was with tremendous joy that Saint Guy remained in the church, constantly cleaning, sweeping, polishing the altars, and attending to the most menial needs during the day—stopping only to befriend and serve those who were poor and came on foot to the church looking for assistance. Each night he spent in prayer, rarely sleeping, but instead could be found kneeling at the foot of the cross, praying for the poor.

Chapel of Saint Guy

After many years of service, a savvy merchant from Brussels sought to take advantage of Guy, and offering him a share of his business, convinced him that through making more money, he could help more people. Guy wished nothing more than to remain in the church, but he saw the benefit in helping others and left his post. Almost immediately the business failed, and Guy, realizing his mistake, returned to the church only to find his position filled. Guy engaged in severe acts of penance for the remainder of his life, offering all he had to the Lord for his inconstancy. He traveled on pilgrimage—on foot—for seven years, visiting Rome and then the Holy Land, returning to Belgium and serving as a guide at the holy shrines.

A merchant of Brussels, hearing of the generosity of this humble sacristan, was prompted by a demon to go to Laeken and offer him a share of his business, telling him he would have the means thereby to give more to the poor. Guy had no desire to leave the church, but the offer seemed providential and he accepted it. The first ship bearing a cargo in which Guy had an interest, however, was lost, and he realized he had made a mistake. When he returned to Laeken, he found his place at the church filled. The rest of his life was one long penance for his inconstancy. For seven years he made pilgrimages of penance, visiting Rome and the Holy Land and other famous shrines.

Eventually, in his early 60s, Guy returned to Anderlecht, and died soon thereafter. In death, a golden light shone around him, and a heavenly voice was heard my many, proclaiming his eternal reward in heaven. He was buried in Anderlecht, and many miracles were attributed to his intercession at his grave. Saint Guy is the patron saint of Anderlecht, animals with horns, bachelors, convulsive children, epileptics, laborers, protection of outbuildings, protection of sheds, protection of stables, sacristans, sextons, work horses; and is invoked against epilepsy, against rabies, against infantile convulsions, and against mad dogs.




Year 2: Day 253 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Lives of charity, constancy, and devotion to the Lord
Requested Intentions: Clear speech for a child (C); Conversion of a family (A); Successful employment (S); For the healing of impaired vision (F); For a couple experiencing difficulties (L); Successful employment after finishing college (M); Mother’s health (A); Financial security, freedom from anxiety (S); For a son and cousins (L); Peace and civility (B); Successful examination results (D); Safety of family, strength, courage, wisdom (C); For the souls of a departed father and brother, finding of a suitable marriage partner (R); Successful pilgrimage, deepening of prayer life (R); Restoration of health (J); Restoration of health (S); Freedom from pride (A); For children and marriage (M); For the birth of a healthy baby (Y); For personal family intentions, for the sick, poor, hungry, and homeless (G); Financial security and peace (J); Grace, peace, and obedience to the will of God in a marriage (H); Successful and blessed marriage for sin, freedom from anxiety for husband, spiritual contentedness for family (N); Employment and health for a husband (B); Recovery and health of a mother (J); For a family to grow closer to the Church, salvation for all children (D); Successful employment (L); Successful employment (S); Renewal of faith life (A); Support for an intended marriage, health for friend and aunt (J); Mental health assistance for son (G); Freedom from illness (S); Successful employment (C).