Gilbert was born in about 1085 at Sempringham near Billingborough, Lincolnshire and was the son of Jocelin, a Norman knight, who came from Normandy with William the Conqueror. His mother was a Saxon 'of inferior origin' and was said to have dreamed before Gilbert's birth that she was holding the round moon in her lap, which was taken to be a sign that the child would rise to greatness.
Because of a deformity Gilbert was unable to follow the knightly pursuits of his father. It is believed he was shunned because of his repulsive appearance. He went to France, probably to the monastery of Citeaux, and on his return to England in 1123 his father gave him the livings of Sempringham and Torrington.
Gilbert gave the revenue of these benefices to the poor and founded and taught in free schools in his parishes. Gilbert lived in a room over the porch in the church at Sempringham and he decided to found a convent to which women could retire from the world in order to devote themselves to study and worship. The priory of Sempringham was founded in 1135 and the new Order of Gilbertines was approved by the Pope, the King and Bishop Alexander of Lincoln.
Gilbertine Priories were founded at Alvingham, North Ormsby, Six Hills, West Torrington and Lincoln. Others followed until there was a total of thirteen houses for women.
Men were introduced into the house to help with the heavy work but were kept strictly separate from the nuns. Although Gilbert was renowned for his gentleness, he made strict rules for discipline.
Gilbert was particularly interested in education and taught by example. He set a high example not only by his own learning and piety but also by his humility and energy. Numerous miracles were ascribed to him. In London, fire consumed the houses surrounding the one in which he was staying but he remained praying and the fire consumed all but the room in which he was situated.
In 1165 Gilbert and his Priors were summoned to Westminster, charged with assisting Thomas Becket. Gilbert said he would suffer exile rather than say he was innocent of the charge because he believed he was right to assist the Archbishop as head of his Church. The charge was dismissed by Henry II.
After Gilber’s death in 1189 at the supposed age of 104, the Order continued to grow and at the Dissolution there were twenty-six Gilbertine houses in England.
Gilbert was canonised in 1202 and his tomb in the Priory Church at Sempringham became a place of pilgrimage.
St. Gilbert's feast day is 4th
February.
From Lincolnshire People
FURTHER READING: Iredale, E. W Sempringham and Saint Gilbert and
the Gilbertines (1992); Foreville, R. Saint Gilbert of Sempringham
(1986)
In 1984 large pottery candlesticks were cast by Robin Welch and dedicated to the memory of Gilbert of Sempringham and placed in the Berghersh Chantry.
This is an informal area for prayer and reflection and where candles can be lit.