Born to poor parents, Guy lived a simple agricultural life until the age of fourteen, when he became assistant sacristan at the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Laeken,[1] where his duties included sweeping the church, dressing the altars, taking care of the vestments and altar linens, ringing the bell for mass and vespers, and providing flowers and other decorations which were used in that church.

When the boat carrying the cargo he was responsible for sank, Guy believed he was being punished by God for being greedy and went on a pilgrimage, first to Rome as penance, and then to Jerusalem[2] where he spent seven years visiting the holy places.

[4] In iconography, he is represented as a peasant praying with an angel ploughing a nearby field or as a pilgrim with a book or a hat, staff, rosary, and an ox at his feet.

The village fair that ended the religious procession was celebrated by various games, music, and feasting, followed by a competition to ride the carthorses bareback.

The Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. Guido in Anderlecht, which contains a "tomb" considered to be that of Saint Guy in its crypt, is dedicated in his honour.