Blessed William of Dijon
A nobleman of Italian origin and disciple of Saint Mayeul at Cluny, William became a great monastic reformer, leading up to forty monasteries includin…
First name and chronology
William
22 saints and blesseds bear the name William, between 966 and 1945; the most famous is Saint William, celebrated on March 31st.
Chronology of the name William
Dated figures are ordered from earliest to latest.
- 966-1031 Blessed William of Dijon A nobleman of Italian origin and disciple of Saint Mayeul at Cluny, William became a great monastic reformer, leading up…
- 1026-1103 Saint William Firmat Born in Tours in 1026, Guillaume Firmat was initially a physician and canon before choosing the eremitic life. After two…
- 1065-1130 Saint William of Breteuil A 12th-century Benedictine abbot, Guillaume led the abbey of Breteuil for thirty years with fervor and humility. Recogni…
- 1085-1142 Saint William of Montevergine (of Vercelli) A nobleman from Vercelli, William renounced the world at fifteen to become a pilgrim and hermit. In 1119, he founded the…
- 1101-1200 Saint William of Oulx Born infirm with only one hand in the 12th century, this humble shepherd of the monastery of Calme was warned by an ange…
- 1101-1200 Saint William of Aquitaine (William of Maleval) Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou in the 12th century, William initially led a life of debauchery and schism before …
- 1101-1200 Blessed Callixtus II (Guy of Burgundy) Guy of Burgundy, Archbishop of Vienne, was elected pope under the name Callixtus II in 1119 at Cluny. His pontificate wa…
- 1101-1200 Venerable William of Champeaux A nobleman from Brie and brilliant professor in Paris, William of Champeaux founded the Abbey of Saint-Victor before bec…
- 1125-1202 Saint William of Paris (or of Denmark) A canon of Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, William was sent to Denmark in the 12th century to reform the monastery on the isl…
- 1125-1137 Saint William of Norwich A twelve-year-old apprentice tanner in Norwich, William was abducted and crucified in 1137 in mockery of the Passion of …
- 1175-1240 Blessed William of Brabant Born in Brabant, William initially led a life of wandering before responding to an angelic vision calling him to penance…
- 1199-1209 Saint William of Bourges Born in the 12th century in Nivernais, William was a rigorous Cistercian monk and Abbot of Chalis before being elected A…
- 1201-1300 Saint William of Saint-Brieuc Bishop of Saint-Brieuc in the 13th century, Guillaume distinguished himself by his heroic charity towards the poor and h…
- 1310-1370 Blessed Urban V Guillaume de Grimoard, who became Urban V in 1362, was a Benedictine pope marked by his austerity and reforming zeal. He…
- 1501-1600 Saint William Tempier A canon regular who became Bishop of Poitiers in the 12th century, Guillaume Tempier distinguished himself by his piety …
- 1785-1850 William Joseph Chaminade A French Catholic priest and founder of the Marianist Family, William Joseph Chaminade dedicated his life to the re-Chri…
- 1803-1858 Guglielmo Giacomo Ghilardi An Italian Franciscan priest (1858-1937), Father Faustino Ghilardi distinguished himself through his heroic poverty, his…
- 1829-1889 Guglielmo Massaia Guglielmo Massaia (1809-1889) was an Italian Capuchin cardinal, famous for his thirty-five years of evangelizing and hum…
- 1837-1921 Wilhelm Eberschweiler Wilhelm Eberschweiler (1837-1921) was a German Jesuit priest, known for his deep spiritual life and his role as a spirit…
- 1840-1905 William Gagnon William Gagnon (1905-1972) was a Canadian-American Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John of God, declared Venerable by …
- 1859-1914 Oscar Gattiani Oscar Gattiani, in religion Father Guglielmo of Badi (1914-1999), was an Italian Capuchin priest known for his radical p…
- 1910-1945 Vilmos Apor Bishop of Győr and martyr, Vilmos Apor was killed in 1945 while protecting refugee women from Soviet soldiers.
All records linked to William
Saint William Firmat
Born in Tours in 1026, Guillaume Firmat was initially a physician and canon before choosing the eremitic life. After two pilgrimages to Jerusalem and …
Saint William of Breteuil
A 12th-century Benedictine abbot, Guillaume led the abbey of Breteuil for thirty years with fervor and humility. Recognized for his wisdom and knowled…
Saint William of Montevergine (of Vercelli)
A nobleman from Vercelli, William renounced the world at fifteen to become a pilgrim and hermit. In 1119, he founded the Abbey of Montevergine in Ital…
Saint William of Oulx
Born infirm with only one hand in the 12th century, this humble shepherd of the monastery of Calme was warned by an angel of an imminent flood. To pro…
Saint William of Aquitaine (William of Maleval)
Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou in the 12th century, William initially led a life of debauchery and schism before being converted by Saint Berna…
Blessed Callixtus II (Guy of Burgundy)
Guy of Burgundy, Archbishop of Vienne, was elected pope under the name Callixtus II in 1119 at Cluny. His pontificate was marked by the resolution of …
Venerable William of Champeaux
A nobleman from Brie and brilliant professor in Paris, William of Champeaux founded the Abbey of Saint-Victor before becoming Bishop of Châlons in 111…
Saint William of Paris (or of Denmark)
A canon of Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, William was sent to Denmark in the 12th century to reform the monastery on the island of Eskill. Despite persecu…
Saint William of Norwich
A twelve-year-old apprentice tanner in Norwich, William was abducted and crucified in 1137 in mockery of the Passion of Christ. His body, found hangin…
Blessed William of Brabant
Born in Brabant, William initially led a life of wandering before responding to an angelic vision calling him to penance in Morlanwez. Having become a…
Saint William of Bourges
Born in the 12th century in Nivernais, William was a rigorous Cistercian monk and Abbot of Chalis before being elected Archbishop of Bourges in 1199. …
Saint William of Saint-Brieuc
Bishop of Saint-Brieuc in the 13th century, Guillaume distinguished himself by his heroic charity towards the poor and his firmness in the face of the…
Blessed Urban V
Guillaume de Grimoard, who became Urban V in 1362, was a Benedictine pope marked by his austerity and reforming zeal. He is famous for having attempte…
Saint William Tempier
A canon regular who became Bishop of Poitiers in the 12th century, Guillaume Tempier distinguished himself by his piety and his vigorous defense of th…
William Joseph Chaminade
A French Catholic priest and founder of the Marianist Family, William Joseph Chaminade dedicated his life to the re-Christianization of post-revolutio…
Guglielmo Giacomo Ghilardi
An Italian Franciscan priest (1858-1937), Father Faustino Ghilardi distinguished himself through his heroic poverty, his teaching, and his historical …
Guglielmo Massaia
Guglielmo Massaia (1809-1889) was an Italian Capuchin cardinal, famous for his thirty-five years of evangelizing and humanitarian mission in Ethiopia.
Wilhelm Eberschweiler
Wilhelm Eberschweiler (1837-1921) was a German Jesuit priest, known for his deep spiritual life and his role as a spiritual director, particularly dur…
William Gagnon
William Gagnon (1905-1972) was a Canadian-American Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John of God, declared Venerable by Pope Francis in 2015 for his h…
Oscar Gattiani
Oscar Gattiani, in religion Father Guglielmo of Badi (1914-1999), was an Italian Capuchin priest known for his radical poverty, life of prayer, and he…
Vilmos Apor
Bishop of Győr and martyr, Vilmos Apor was killed in 1945 while protecting refugee women from Soviet soldiers.
Frequently asked questions
When is Saint William's feast day?
The feast of William is celebrated on March 31st, in memory of Saint William.
How many saints are named William?
22 saints and blesseds bear the name William, including Saint William, Saint William, Saint William of Montevergine, Saint William Firmat and Saint William.
Who is the most famous saint named William?
The most famous saint named William is Saint William (12th century).