Guy of Anderlecht

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Saint Guy of Anderlecht (also, Guido, Guidon, Wye of Láken) was a Belgian Christian saint. He was known as the "Poor Man of Anderlecht."

Born of poor parents, he lived a simple agricultural life until starting as a sacristan in the local church. He remained so until persuaded to invest in a trading venture. When the ship carrying the cargo in which he had invested sank in the harbour, Guy believed he was being punished for being greedy and went on a pilgrimage, firstly to Rome as penance, and then to Jerusalem where he worked as a guide to other pilgrims. He died on his way home.

He was the patron saint of:

Anderlecht, animals with horns, bachelors, convulsive children, epileptics, laborers, protection of outbuildings, protection of sheds, protection of stables, sacristans, sextons, work horses; and is invoked against epilepsy, against hydrophobia, against infantile convulsions, against mad dogs, and against rabies.

In iconography he is represented by:

A peasant praying with an angel plowing a nearby field
A peasant with a book
A pilgrim with a book
A pilgrim with hat, staff, rosary, and ox at his feet

His grave was said to have been found when a horse kicked it. Cabdrivers of Brabant lead an annual pilgrimage to Anderlecht until the beginning of World War I in 1914. They and their horses headed the procession followed by farmers, grooms, and stable boys leading their animals to be blessed. The village fair that ended the religious procession was celebrated by various games, music, and feasting, followed by a competition to ride the carthorses bareback. The winner entered the church on bareback to receive a hat made of roses from the parish pastor.