“[One] will not have salvation if he receives the Sacrament of Baptism outside the Catholic Church. Therefore, heretics must return to the Church in order that they receive eternal life.”

He wrote about the suffering of Mary during the Passion, emphasizing Her deep sorrow and the profound love She had for Her Son, Jesus Christ, and sharing in His suffering at the foot of the Cross.

Fabius Claudius Gordianus Fulgentius was born in the year 462 at Thelepte, in the Roman province of Byzacena, of North Africa, which is now Tunisia, into a Roman Gordiani senatorial family as the only child. His father, Claudius, died when he was quite young, and his mother, Mariana, taught him to speak Greek and Latin which was rare at that time.

He was raised in comfort and had access to, and was inspired by, the writings of Saint Augustine of Hippo.

When he was of age, he quickly gained wide public respect for the conduct of his family’s affairs which helped him acquire a post as procurator of Byzacena. He grew tired of the material life, and inspired by the writing of Saint Augustine on Psalm 36, he longed to be a monk, renouncing his position. He practiced the rigorous life of a hermit privately for a time and turned over his worldly goods to his mother. He became ill from excessive abstinence.

Against his mother’s approval, at 37, he sought to join the hermits of the Thebaid in Egypt, but upon his arrival, was dissuaded after learning of their heresy.

He applied to Bishop Faustus who had set up a monastery near him but was dissuaded because of his physical weakness and their rigorous life. Still he persisted and was admitted on a trial basis and eventually confirmed.

Arian heretical attacks forced him to leave for another nearby monastery. He managed the temporal affairs and worked well with Felix, the abbot. Moors invaded the area and they both fled together to Sicca Veneria, but they were arrested and tortured by a local Arian priest.

They were released and at 38, he took a pilgrimage to Rome and was present for a speech made by the king which renewed his despising of earthly vanities. This caused his desire to return to Africa where he set up a monastery to live in an isolated cell but then retired as superior and led a hidden life in an abbey on a rocky island.

Felix refused to accept his loss and got the bishop have him return and ordain him a priest.

His reputation quickly spread and was offered the position of Bishop several times but instead went into hiding again. When he thought it safe, he reappeared in Ruspe, and was promptly elected against his will, over a town he had never seen. He kept his monastic habits in his new role.

The Arian King Thrasimund, in his persecution, exiled all of the bishops, around 60, to Sardinia. The pope sent them annual provisions of food and money to sustain them in their plight.

12 years later, in 515, Fulgentius’ reputation had grown so great that the king sent for him to represent the rest in a debate. The king was impressed by his written knowledge and after debating orally, the kings respect of him grew and allowed him to stay in Carthage. He then provided instruction to locals in the faith of the Holy Trinity, and converted many back to the truth faith, enraging the local Arian clergy. This forced the king to exile Fulgentius once again in 520 which he had to conduct secretly against the citizen’s wishes. His departure was delayed and many sought to receive the Eucharist from his hand.

During his time in Sardinia, he founded several religious communities.

In 523, following the king’s death, and the accession of his Catholic son Hilderic, they were allowed to return. Fulgentius worked to reform the many abuses which had infiltrated his old diocese. He continued his studies and spiritual practices, and he became highly sought after delivering powerful sermons to large audiences. His archbishop, Boniface of Carthage, wept openly every time he heard him preach, thanking God for providing such a preacher.

He retired to a monastery on the island of Circinia, but was recalled to Ruspe and served until his death of natural causes on January 1, 527.

He is often seen as the spiritual heir of Saint Augustine and has been declared a Doctor of the Church.

He is the patron saint of those suffering from heresy.

His feast day is January 1.

For God’s Glory.