Ildephonsus was born around the year 607 in Spain to a noble family. It is believed that he was a student of Saint Isidore of Seville. He entered the Benedictine Monastery of Agalia near Toledo when he was still very young and later became the abbot.

As abbot, he attended the Councils of Toledo in the years 653 and 655.

In 657, he was elected to succeed his uncle, Saint Eugenius, as Archbishop of Toledo. Ildephonsus had a very deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wrote many theological treatises, most notably, De virginitate perpetua sanctae Mariae.

Saint Ildephonsus was a favorite subject for medieval artists, mainly because of a legend of our Lady appearing to him and presenting him with a chalice.

He is honored a doctor of the Church in Spain.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank you for Saint Ildephonsus’s testimony and writings that have inspired devotion in so many, especially our Spanish brethren. May he continue to lead others to greater devotion to You through his intercessions. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Other Saints We Remember Today

St. Raymond of Peñafort (1275), Priest, Religious, Patron of canon lawyers

St. Emerentiana (304), Virgin, Martyr, foster-sister of St. Agnes

Espousals of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1 B.C.)