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Giles of Santarém
Portuguese Dominican scholar
Feast: 14 May (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Gil, son of the governor of Coimbra, studied medicine and, his legend says, gave himself to magic at Toledo, signing a pact with the devil. A terrifying vision called him to change his life; he burned his books and about 1221 took the Dominican habit.
At Santarém he lived in prayer and penance, long tormented by his past. He became famous for piety and learning and was twice provincial of his order in Spain. He died at Santarém on 14 May 1265.
The miracles
Pope Benedict XIV ratified the honour paid to him on 9 March 1748.
Why that counted as sanctity
A sinner turned penitent who became a holy Dominican.
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Blessed Giles
- Wikidata Q3544082 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Giles of Santarém (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.