He was born about the year 489. His father George was of the first
houses of that province, and his mother Leocadia was descended from
the family of Vettius Apagatus, the celebrated Roman, who suffered
at Lyons for the faith of Christ. They both took special care of
the education of their son; and when he arrived at a proper age,
proposed to have him married to the daughter of a respectable
senator. The saint, who had taken a resolution to consecrate himself
to God, withdrew privately from his father’s house to the monastery
of Cournon, near the city of Auvergne, and earnestly prayed to be
admitted there amongst the monks; and having soon after obtained the
consent of his parents, he with joy renounced all worldly vanities to
embrace religious poverty. Here his eminent virtues distinguished him
in a particular manner, and recommended him to Quintianus, bishop of
Auvergne, who promoted him to holy orders.
The bishop dying in 527, St. Gal was appointed to succeed him; and in
this new character his humility, charity, and zeal were conspicuous;
but, above all, his patience in bearing injuries. Being once struck
on the head by a brutal man, he discovered not the least emotion of
anger or resentment, and by this meekness disarmed the savage of his
rage. At another time Evodius, who from a senator became a priest,
having so far forgot himself as to treat him in the most insulting
manner, the saint, without making the least reply, arose meekly from
his seat and went to visit the churches of the city. Evodius was so
touched by this conduct, that he cast himself at the saint’s feet
in the middle of the street and asked his pardon. From this time
they both lived on terms of the most cordial friendship. St. Gal
was favored with the gift of miracles; and died about the year 553.
He is mentioned this day in the Roman Martyrology. See St. Greg. of
Tours, his nephew, Vit. Patr. c. 6. Hist. Franc. l. 4, c. 5; also the
remarks of Mabillon, sec. 1. Bened. Gall. Christ, Nov. t. 2, p. 237,
and Selier the Bollandist, t. 1, Jul. p. 103.
Another St. Gal, called the Second, is honored at Clermont on the
1st of November. He was bishop of that see in 650. See Gall. Christ.
Nova, t. 2, p. 245.