Giles’ given name was Francesco, and he was born to very poor but pious parents in the town of Taranto, Italy, in 1729. Francesco learned the rope-making trade at a very young age and was reportedly very good at it. It served him and his family well when his father died in 1747, leaving Francesco, at age 18, as the sole support of his mother and siblings.

The lack of a personal education meant that he was unable to become a priest and served instead as a professed religious in the Order of Friars Minor in Naples. He applied to enter the order on 27 February 1754 and made his solemn profession of vows on 28 February 1755

Though he took up his responsibilities willingly, Francesco also felt the call to religious life. By the time he turned 25, he was able to secure his family’s financial future and subsequently applied to the Discalced Friars Minor in Naples and was accepted as a lay brother. For the next nearly six decades Francesco, now St. Giles Mary of St. Joseph, acted as the porter and gatekeeper at his monastery’s seminary.

It was in that position that he discovered his true vocation. As the brother who opened the door to everyone who rang the bell, Giles came into contact with some of the poorest and most wretched citizens of Naples – people who he had a special gift to help.

He seemed to have a particular ministry to the sick, even going outside the city gates to tend to those suffering from leprosy, in addition to serving at St. Pascal’s Hospice in the city. He often carried with him an icon of the Blessed Virgin, called “Our Lady of the Well,” as he made his rounds.

His community gave him the task of distributing alms and food to the poor as well as begging for his fellow friar’s sustenance. Almost miraculously, no matter how much Giles distributed, there was always enough to meet everyone’s needs. He gave credit for this to St. Joseph, who, he said, always took such good care of Mary and Jesus. His devotion to Joseph remained strong throughout his religious life.

As he made his way through the streets of Naples, he would urge the people over and over again to “Love God, love God.” The people whom he encountered even gave him a nickname – “Consoler of Naples.”

Giles died in 1812, at the age of 81 and after decades of humble service to all he came into contact with.

Pope Pius IX named him as venerable on 24 February 1868 and Pope Leo XIII later beatified him on 5 February 1888. On 2 June 1996, Giles was canonized by Pope John Paul II.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Moses
2. Saint Amulwinus
3. Saint Chrysolius
4. Saint Julian of Bologna
5. Saint Lawrence of Siponto