May 5 - Saint Hilary of Arles

Quick Facts
  • Born and raised a pagan; relative of Saint Honoratus.
  • Highly placed civil authority.
  • Honoratus invited Hilary to the recently completed monastery at Lerins, and brought him to the faith; Hilary was baptised at Lerins, and joined the community as a monk.
  • When Honoratus became bishop of Arles, Hilary was his secretary.
  • Bishop of Arles.
  • Hilary was an exuberant bishop, working so hard to spread the faith that he caused problems with the people and the civil authorities, and twice had to be reproved by the Vatican - his zealousness was causing more trouble than converts.
  • But though some questioned his methods, none questions his sanctity or his true belief.