December 1
In addition to being the patron saint of horses and metalworkers, Saint Eligius could also be the patron saint of late vocations. Eligius was born near Limoges, in France. After becoming a metalworker, he eventually became master of the mint (the place where coins are made), earning fame and fortune. But he earned even greater fame from his charity. He showed generosity to the poor, ransomed slaves, built several churches and a monastery, and founded a major convent in Paris. Then he discovered that he wanted to serve God as a priest and was ordained at about age 50. Even today, it is far more common for younger men to be ordained. He was then made a bishop and also became a missionary preacher in Flanders (present-day Belgium). Saint Eligius died on December 1, 660, at Noyon, France, having spent the last twenty years of his life serving God as an ordained priest and bishop. His feast day is celebrated on December 1, the day of his death.
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