St. Gall

Gall was a priest and abbot, a disciple of Columbanus, who was born in Ireland about 545. He studied at Bangor Abbey under Comgall of Bangor and Columba. He was one of the twelve who went with Columbanus to France and helped found Luxeuil Abbey. In 610 he went into exile with Columbanus, and then on to Austrasia, where his preaching around Lake Zurich and near Bregenz had little success. Illness forced him to leave the party in 612. When he recovered he lived as a hermit on the Steinach River, and disciples gathered to him. He twice refused bishoprics offered by King Sigebert. Gall died about 630 at Bregenz. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him at Arbon in Switzerland on 16 October.