Hilary the Bishop

Hilary, bishop of the church at Arles, a man learned in the Holy Scriptures, was devoted to poverty and eager to live in narrow circumstances, not only in devotion of mind but also in labor of body. To keep this state of poverty, this man of noble birth and very different upbringing took up farming, though it was beyond his strength, and yet he did not neglect spiritual things. He was also a welcome teacher, and he corrected everyone without respect of persons. He published a few things, brief, but showing an immortal talent and a learned mind, as well as a gift for vigorous speech. Among them is that work of such great practical value to many, his Life of Saint Honoratus, his predecessor. He died in the reign of Valentinian and Marcian. [a]