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This beautiful Rosary features a sculptural portrait on its sterling silver center and is finished with smooth, ebony-colored wooden beads and an elegant sterling silver crucifix.
About St. William. . . William of Vercelli (also know as William of Monte Vergine). William was born in 1085 in Vercelli, Italy, of noble parents. He was orphaned as a child and was raised by relatives. At the age of 15 he decided on a life devoted to God. He was a hermit for about 2 years, living in a hut he built on Monte Vergine. His reputation for holiness and the miracles her performed attracted many disciples. A monastery was built at Monte Vergine, where William lived until a number of other hermits began to complain that William's austere life and his alms-giving was too difficult to match. William left Monte Vergine with a small handful of brothers. He went on to found a number of monasteries in the Naples region. He retired to his monastery of Gugieto, where he died in 1142, and was buried in the church.
Legend says that William began mining the stone and digging the foundations for the church on Monte Vergine when his only companion and helper was a single donkey. One evening, a wolf charged from the forest, killed and ate the donkey. William ordered the wolf to take the donkey's place. The wolf, understanding that he had interrupted God's work, bowed his head, and began hauling the loads of stone. Tradition says that the same wolf still prowls the mountain, ready to help those who are in danger and call upon the name of the Virgin Mary.
St. William is depicted with a staff and a wolf at his side.
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