Saint Hilary of Poitiers

Feast day: January 13

Saint Hilary of Poitiers was born in 315 , in Poitiers , France . He sought happiness ; but his family , pagan , lived according to the Hedonist philosophies , linked to the Greek – Roman people ; i.e. , happiness with the synonym of pleasure , well – being . Thus , the young man dedicated to studies questioned – about the ultimate objective of the human being ; It could n’t all end there with death ; he was looking for the truth .

The Holy Spirit continued to act until he knew the Holy Scriptures . The Old Testament led him to proclaim the only God , who deserves all worship . By reading the New Testament , Saint Hilary was evangelized and , in a constant search , felt the need to receive holy baptism , join the Church of Christ and become a member of this Mystical Body . In 345 , he was baptized . Soon afterwards , he was ordained a priest and , later , bishop of the people of Poitiers .

He suffered from the heresies of Arianism . For his preaching and writings , he was called “ Athanasius of the West ” , because he fought against Arianism in the East . When Emperor Constâncio began to support this heresy , Saint Hilary was not intimidated by the authorities . If it was for the good of the people , he announced it with courage until he was exiled , but he still continued to evangelize , even in prison . On advice , the emperor himself reinstated him in 360 , as his advisors realized the great influence of these holy bishops , which was not limited to to Poitiers , but it ran all over France .

He returned , called a Council in Paris , participated in other councils in the West , always defending the truth that he is Jesus Christ , true God , true man . Saint Hilary of Poitiers dedicated – if the truth be told . If his writings , which are still lawful to this day , reveal his love for Jesus Christ . He not only sought personal salvation , but also the salvation of others . In the fourth century , he went to glory .