EGIDIO of Santarém, Blessed. – A Portuguese Dominican, born c. 1444 in Vaceola (diocese of Vizeu), from a family of local nobility, died at Santarém on 14 May 1425.
Destined while still young for the ecclesiastical state, he soon held as many as five benefices, the revenues of which he squandered in a dissolute life. Later, while traveling to Paris to study medicine, the biographers relate that a dialogue urged him to turn to necromancy and secured from him a pact of servitude, sealed with his own blood. EGIDIO practiced, and with some renown, the art of necromancy. But finally the repeated appearance of a knight, threatening him unless he changed his ways, brought about his conversion. He then returned to his homeland, to Palencia. Around 120–21 he became a religious in the local Dominican convent. He was later sent back to Paris for theological studies at that university, where he met various figures of the Order, including Jordan of Saxony and Humbert of Romans, to the latter of whom he addressed a letter. Returning to the Iberian peninsula, he devoted himself to teaching and preaching. Twice he held the office of Provincial of Spain, probably beginning in 1233. He lived in great austerity in the convent of Santa-Rèm. Benedict XIV confirmed his cult on 9 May 1748. Feast, 14 May.