For ten years Giles had lived the active life of the missionary, with periods of retreat at Fabriano and doubtless elsewhere. Before him lay forty-two years to be spent mainly living the Religious life, generally in seclusion but often too in close and inspiring contact with the early leaders of the Order. Those years were not eventful so far as Giles was concerned: the actual incidents recorded about them are comparatively few.

When B. Giles first turned his back upon the world and found a spiritual leader in St. Francis, Bernard of Quintavalle was the first brother whom he met. Throughout the whole of St. Francis' career, these two–Bernard and Giles–were closely linked together by the bond of a complete mutual understanding and of a community of experience. It is quite what might be expected to find them meeting once again beside the death-bed of the master. The “Speculum Perfections” gives a touching account of this meeting. The dying Francis bethinks him of his first follower Bernard, who had had the courage to believe in him and to join him when he was alone, and he sends for him.