Saint Gilbert of Sempringham

Biography

Saint Gilbert of Sempringham, also known as Gilbert of Lincoln, was born in the year 1083 in the village of Sempringham in Lincolnshire, England. He was the son of Jocelin, a wealthy Norman knight, and was raised in a life of privilege. As a young man, Gilbert showed no interest in becoming a soldier like his father. Instead, he had a strong desire to pursue education and dedicate his life to God. In order to ensure that Gilbert followed the path expected of him, his father decided to send him to Paris, France, to study. Gilbert excelled in his studies and returned to England as a master of arts. He settled in Sempringham and decided to use his knowledge and resources to make a difference in the lives of the poor and disadvantaged in his community. He opened a school for the children of the poor, providing them with not only an education but also special training in religious matters. Despite his father's initial reluctance, Jocelin eventually provided Gilbert with a living from the rents on part of his lands in Sempringham and Tirington. However, instead of keeping the wealth for himself, Gilbert chose to redistribute most of it to help the poor and needy. In addition to his work with the school, Gilbert served as a clerk in the household of Bishop Robert Bloet of Lincoln, England. It was during this time that Gilbert received ordination as a priest at the age of 40. Tragedy struck in 1130 when Gilbert's parents passed away. With his inheritance, Gilbert began to establish monasteries, both Benedictine and Augustinian, and made provisions for the care of the poor. His dedication to the religious life and his acts of charity earned him great respect and admiration. However, Saint Gilbert's most significant contribution came in the form of the Gilbertines, an order of nuns that he founded. He formulated a rule for their order, making it the only one founded by an Englishman. This order grew to have 26 houses, providing spiritual guidance and care for many women. Saint Gilbert's reputation was not without its challenges. He faced slander and false accusations throughout his life. At one point, he was accused of aiding the exiled Saint Thomas Becket, resulting in his imprisonment. However, Pope Alexander III came to Gilbert's defense and affirmed his innocence. As Gilbert grew older, he faced a revolt by some of his lay brothers who questioned his authority. Despite this turmoil, Pope Alexander III continued to support Gilbert and his leadership. Eventually, Gilbert became blind and made the decision to relinquish all control over the lands and orders he had established. He devoted himself fully to a life of prayer and communal living. Saint Gilbert lived to be over 100 years old, remaining a dedicated servant of God until his death. He passed away in Sempringham, England, between the years 1189 and 1190, due to natural causes. In recognition of his holiness and the impact he had on the religious life of his community, Pope Innocent III canonized Saint Gilbert of Sempringham in the year 1202. His feast day is celebrated on February 4th. Though not specifically designated as a patron saint, Saint Gilbert of Sempringham is still revered as a model of dedicated service to God and compassion for the poor and marginalized.