Braulio
was a brilliant scholar and a pupil of St. Isidore, who founded a
university in Seville, Spain. He eventually became a mentor to his
mentor, and went on to advise not only ecclesiasts but kings.
At
the death of his brother, Bishop John of Zaragoza, Braulio was nominated
as his successor, a dignity he accepted. As bishop, he labored with
zeal for his people, and also to extirpate the last vestiges of
Arianism, still festering among them despite the conversion of King
Recaredo.
He took part in the Council of Toledo, and was charged
by the same council to write a response to Pope Honorius I who had
accused the Spanish bishops of pastoral negligence. His defense was both
dignified and convincing.
The good bishop spent many a night in
prayer in the Church of Our Lady of the Pilar, which houses a miraculous
statue delivered to St. James, the first apostle of Spain, by Our Lady
herself.
He abhorred luxuries of all kinds, wore a hair shirt
beneath the vestments of his office, and led a simple, austere life. An
ardent preacher and a keen apologist, Braulio's deep sincerity was as
convincing as his clear arguments. His generosity to the poor was only
matched by the care he took of his flock.
Towards the end of his
life he was afflicted by the loss of his sight, a heavy cross for anyone
but especially burdensome to a scholar. As death approached, he gave up
his spirit to his Lord while reciting the Psalms.
Friday, March 26, 2021
St. Braulio of Zaragoza
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