Born in Italy in 1085, his parents were nobles but they died when he was still a boy and he was raised by a relative. 

When he was old enough, William decided to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem but as he was traveling through southern Italy, he was beaten and robbed. 

He saw this as a sign he was supposed to stay there and spread the Word. 

William lived as a hermit in the mountains and began to attract followers. Over time there were so many, that he built a monastery on Montevergine and the congregation came to be known as the Williamites. 

William had many Spiritual gifts and performed a number of miracles, the most famous of which was the miracle of the wolf. 

When a wolf attacked and killed his donkey, William confronted it and demanded that the wolf carry out all the tasks that the donkey had been performing. Immediately, the wolf became tame and did precisely that, and people seeing the wolf working in this fashion were amazed. 

The King of Sicily heard of William and became a Patron, sponsoring William as he established many monasteries for both men and women, including one directly across from the King’s palace. 

He died on this day in 1142. 

St. William of Vercelli, please pray for us.