William of Donjeon

Gunsmiths

Guillaume de Donjeon (c. 1140 – 10 January 1209) was a

.

He was also known for his deep devotion to the

and for his conversion of sinners. He oversaw the construction of the new archdiocesan cathedral that his predecessor had authorized and in which he himself would be buried. It had been claimed that he performed eighteen miracles in life and a further eighteen in death.

His canonization was celebrated under Pope Honorius III in 1218 and he was named as the patron saint for the Parisian college.

Life

Guillaume de Donjeon was born about 1140 at the castle of Arthel near Nevers, into the ancient family of the

His siblings were: Baudoin, Regnault (d. 1208), Ferry (d. 1174), Baudoin (d. 1226), Pierre (d. 1222), Guy, and Eustachia.

The

He fostered a deep and special devotion to the

The bishop proved to be instrumental in the ongoing construction of the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Stephen which his predecessor had commenced earlier in 1195.^[4] The lower half of the cathedral was completed and around December 1208 the choir was almost finished at which time he was able to celebrate the Christmas Mass. The poor and sick were never forgotten for the bishop visited them on frequent occasions while he also ministered to the imprisoned. He also defended clerical rights against state intervention.^[3] He once incurred wrath from King Philip II when the bishop enacted an interdict from Innocent III against him for having divorced his wife.^[2]

He began preparations for a mission among the

Sainthood

His canonization was celebrated under Pope Honorius III on 17 May 1218; the late bishop is considered to be the patron saint for the University of Paris.

References