St. Fulgentius of Ruspe

  Posted on December 30, 2023  by admin  No comments

Born: c.465 at Carthage, North Africa (modern Tunis, Tunisia)

Died: 1 January 533 in Ruspe of natural causes, some relics translated to Bourges, France in 714.

Also known as Fabius Claudius Gordianus Fulgentius

Additional Memorial 3 January (Augustinians; North Africa)

Born to a Roman senatorial family, and was well educated. Provincial fiscal procurator and lieutenant governor of Byzacena. He became a monk early in life, led to the religious life by the writings of Saint Augustine of Hippo, whose work remained a touchstone for him the rest of his life. Priest. Abbot. Bishop of Ruspe (modern Kudiat Rosfa, Tunisia) in 508, an illegal election in the Arian controlled land following the invasion of the Vandals led by Thrasimund. Exiled with 60 other bishops to Sardinia. There they built a monastery, and continued to write, pray, and study. He returned to Carthage in 515 to debate with Arians; he was so convincing that he was exiled again in 518. King Hilderic succeeded Thrasimund in 523, and permitted the exiles to return. Fulgentius preferred to return to his monastery and resume his studies, but he was such a popular preacher, he was kept busy in the pulpit until his death.