Abbey of Saint-Gilles Abbey of Saint-Gilles The Abbey of Saint-Gilles (French: "Abbaye de Saint-Gilles ") is a monastery in Saint-Gilles, southern France. Founded by Saint Giles, it is included in the UNESCO Heritage List, as part of the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. According to the legend, it was founded in the 7th century by Saint Gilles, over lands which had been given him by the Visigoth King Wamba after he had involuntarily wounded the saint during a hunt. The monastery was initially dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul: however, in the 9th century, the
Westminster Abbey (British Columbia) abbot, was elected. The abbey currently has around 30 monks. Benedictine monks live by the motto of their order, "Ora et Labora", ("Pray and Work"). The roughly 30 monks at Westminster Abbey also follow this. In 1950, Benedictine sisters came to help the abbey, and continued there until they left in 1968. Since then, all kitchen, farm, and most other work at the abbey has been done by the monks themselves. The monks pray the Liturgy of the Hours, namely Lauds, Midday Prayer, Vespers and Vigils at four times different times throughout the day. These are usually sung publicly in