On the advice of Ornifius, the Premonstratensian abbot of Dilo, Gilbert, a
knight from the high nobility of the Auvergne, took part in the second Crusade
(1147-1149) which St. Bernard had preached in Vézelay and which was led
by the French King Louis VII. This crusade ended, however, in a military disaster.
As a survivor of this perilous undertaking Gilbert, together with his wife Petronilla
and his daughter Ponzia, decided to dedicate himself to God and enter a monastery.
He gave part of this substantial fortune to the poor and established the convent
of sisters at Aubeterre, in which his wife and daughter entered. After he had
become a Premonstratensian in Dilo, Gilbert founded the Abbey of Neuffontaines
and became the first abbot there around 1151. Following the model of St. Norbert
he set up a hospital which quickly became well-known because of the miracles
that occurred there. Penitent and charitable he cared for the many suffering
people himself. Seriously ill children especially were brought to him. After
he laid hands on them he returned them healed to their parents. Gilbert died
on June 5, 1152 exhausted from penance and hard labor.
Relics: none available
Approbation of cult: January 22/March 8, 1728 by Benedict XIII.
Representation: as a Premonstratensian with outstretched hand and people in
need, as abbot and builder or consulting with architects, with a model of a
church/monastery, as giving a blessing, with attributes of service in battle
at his feet.