St. Hilary, Archbishop of Arles (5 May): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Discover the extraordinary life of Saint Hilary of Arles, Archbishop and Confessor, commemorated on May 5th in Father Alban Butler’s Lives of the Saints. Born around 401 into a noble family in Gaul, Hilary was raised in wealth, education, and honor. Gifted in eloquence, philosophy, and learning, he seemed destined for greatness in the world—but God had greater plans. Through the influence of his holy kinsman Saint Honoratus, Hilary experienced a profound conversion. After a deep interior struggle between worldly ambition and the call of Christ, he renounced everything: Sold his estates Gave his wealth to the poor Entered monastic life on the Isle of Lérins His transformation was remarkable. Once attached to the world, he became a model of: Humility and charity Prayer and mortification Zeal for holiness At only 29 years old, he was unexpectedly chosen as Archbishop of Arles. In this high office, he lived with radical simplicity: Owning almost nothing Traveling on foot Laboring with his hands to help the poor Selling church goods to redeem captives Saint Hilary was a fearless preacher of truth. He corrected injustice—even among the powerful—and adapted his preaching to both the learned and the simple. He: Presided over important Church councils Strengthened monastic discipline Guided bishops and clergy in holiness Though his zeal sometimes led to misunderstandings—even with Pope Saint Leo the Great—Hilary responded with humility, patience, and obedience. He died on May 5, 449, at only 48 years old, worn out by prayer, penance, and tireless service to Christ. Saint Hilary of Arles teaches us that true greatness lies not in status or intellect, but in total surrender to God, charity toward others, and fidelity to truth. 🙏 “We are all equal in Christ—the highest nobility is to be among His faithful servants.” 0:00 – Introduction 0:18 – Noble Birth and Education (c. 401) 0:34 – Worldly Success and Learning 0:49 – Reflection on True Nobility in Christ 1:12 – Attachment to Worldly Honors 1:19 – Influence of Saint Honoratus 1:44 – Conversion Begins 2:06 – Interior Struggle Between God and the World 3:01 – Final Conversion to Christ 3:18 – Radical Transformation of Life 3:52 – Selling Wealth and Giving to the Poor 4:09 – Entrance into Monastic Life (Lérins) 4:31 – Growth in Holiness and Discipline 4:56 – Move to Arles with Saint Honoratus 5:40 – Election as Archbishop at Age 29 6:04 – Life of Humility and Poverty 6:26 – Prayer, Fasting, and Labor 6:58 – Powerful Preaching and Teaching 7:32 – Correction of Injustice 8:26 – Charity Toward the Poor 8:48 – Selling Church Goods to Redeem Captives 9:21 – Pastoral Care and Discipline 9:45 – Church Councils and Leadership 10:10 – Trials and Misunderstandings 10:41 – Humility Before Pope Saint Leo 11:15 – Journey to Rome 12:27 – Controversies and Decisions 13:30 – Final Years and Sanctity 13:45 – Death (May 5, 449) 13:53 – Miracles and Legacy 14:16 – Defense of Orthodoxy 14:50 – Lost Works and Influence https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/may/st-hilary-archbishop-of-arles/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 SpiritusTV - https://spiritustv.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 LBRY.tv --- https://lbry.tv/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 UGETube - https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/@Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GabTV - https://tv.gab.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 Brighteon - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/sensusfidelium ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. #SaintHilary #HilaryOfArles #CatholicSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #SaintOfTheDay #CatholicFaith #ChurchHistory #MonasticLife #CatholicBishop #TraditionalCatholic #ChristianHistory #CatholicYouTube