St. William of Bourges was an abbot in 12th century France who was called to serve as an archbishop. Though he was reluctant to leave his life as a monk, he gave the new role everything he had.

He was born in the 12th century in France, and was educated by an uncle, who was a hermit and religious figure in the area. Though his father planned for him to become a soldier and a career in the military, William followed his longing for a religious life dedicated to God.

He became a priest and served in Soissons and Paris, and then felt called to more solitude and entered the monastery. He was known for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and spent hours in prayer in front of the altar.

William moved to a Cistercian monastery when divisions in the community became a distraction, and was eventually chosen as abbot.

In 1200, he was elected as archbishop of Bourges, France, but was very reluctant to leave his solitude and life of prayer as a monk. It took two orders of obedience, one from his religious superior and another from the pope himself, to convince him to accept the role.

William led his people by example—he was known for the disciplines he used to sharpen his will, including fasting from meat and constantly wearing a hairshirt—and he gave personal care to the poor, sick, and imprisoned. He lived during a time when a certain heresy was popular, and converted many people away from that distortion of the faith.

Witnesses counted 18 miracles when he was alive and another 18 after his death on this date in 1209. He is patron saint of the University of Paris, and his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica

St. William of Bourges, you were the monk who refused to become a bishop until you were ordered by the pope, pray for us!