Butler’s Lives of the Saints – Saint Eligius  [painting of Saint
Eligius]  The name of Eligius, and those of his father
Eucherius, and his mother Terrigia, show this saint to have been
born not of French, but of Roman Gaulish extraction. He was born
at Catelat, two leagues north of Limoges, about the year 588.
His parents, who were very virtuous, and in good circumstances,
brought him up from his infancy in the fear of God, and seeing
him industrious, placed him with a goldsmith named Abbo, who was
a considerable person, master of the mint at Limoges, and a
devout servant of God. Eligius was a youth of uncommon genius
and address, and, by his extraordinary application, arrived at
an eminent skill in his profession. The qualities of his mind,
and his steady virtue and religion, exceedingly enhanced his
reputation, and endeared him to all who had the happiness of his
acquaintance. His heart was full of sincerity, his whole conduct
was under the regulation of an exact prudence, and his temper
sweet and obliging: