St. Gall

Feast: October 16. Gall (on the left) was born in Ireland. He studied at Bangor under Sts. Comgall and Columban and became first in scripture, and was ordained. Gall was one of the twelve who accompanied Columban to Gaul and was with him at Anngray and Luxeuil. He followed Columban into exile in 610 and then to Austrasia, where they preached with little success in the region around Lake Zurich, and for two years in the area near Bregenz. When Columban went to Italy in 612, Gall remained behind because of ill health and on his recovery, became a hermit on the Steinach river, attracting numerous disciples. In time, St. Gall's monastery occupied this site and during the Middle Ages was a leading center of literature, the arts, and music. He was twice offered bishoprics by King Sigebert, whose betrothed he had freed of a demon. He was also offered the abbacy of Luxeuil on the death of St. Eustace but declined. He remained a hermit. He died sometime between 627 and 645 at Arbon, Switzerland, and is considered the Apostle of that country.

With grateful thanks to Catholic Online.