Saint of the Day: St. Hilary of Poitiers

Today is the optional memorial of St. Hilary - Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Hilary is known as the great champion of orthodoxy and defender of the Divinity of Christ during the Arian crisis. He is sometimes called the "hammer against Arianisum" and "the Athanasius of the West."

Hillary was born in Poitiers in France in 315 and raised as a pagan. As he studied the Bible for the first time, he literally read himself into the faith, and was converted by the end of the New Testament. Married during his early years, he soon converted his wife and daughter who enthusiastically embraced the faith. Because celibacy was not a requirement at that time for the clergy, at the age of 35, Hillary was elected as the new bishop of Poitier. He devoted his tongue and pen to fighting the Arian heresy which denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and was exiled for four years in the East for his fidelity to the faith. During this time of exile, he composed his greatest work "On the Trinity".

His writings drew many converts to the faith. Hillary died in 368 A.D. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1851.

Hillary's name comes from the Greek word for happy or cheerful, which has the same root as English "hilarious". Let us rejoice on his special day and be happy for him and with him.

Like St. Hilary, in our own lives, we live among non-believers and heretics. We are called to know our faith, to embrace it, and to defend it. Lord, give us the knowledge, wisdom, and strength to do so.

"Impart to us the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it."

~St. Hilary of Poitiers
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