Today, January 23, is the memorial of Saint Ildephonsus.
Born to the Spanish nobility in 607, Ildephonsus was the nephew of Saint Eugenius of Toledo. He was a brilliant student who was mentored by Saint Isidore of Seville.
Ildephonsus’ family wanted him to land a job and earn a living, but he chose to stay true to his calling. And so he became a monk at the famed Monastery of Agali. At age 43, he became the abbot of the monastery. When Eugenius died, Ildephonsus became his successor in 657.
He was known for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. An account states that in December 665, he had a vision of the Blessed Mother who handed him priestly vestments as a reward for his fervent devotion.
He is also credited for the unification of the Spanish liturgy and was a noted author of important spiritual and theological writings. He died in 667 of natural causes.