Fulbert
is said to have been born in Italy of poor parents. As a student at the
Cathedral School of Rheims, he was purportedly one of its most
distinguished scholars for when the celebrated Gerbert d'Aurillac, professor of mathematics, became Pope Sylvester II, he summoned Fulbert to Rome.
Upon
his return to France, Bishop Odo of Chartres appointed him Chancellor.
Under Fulbert's care and direction, the cathedral schools became the
greatest educational center in Europe. His pupils esteemed him so highly
as a teacher that they called him “venerable Socrates”.
After
Bishop Odo’s death, Fulbert was consecrated Bishop of Chartres, and came
to be recognized as the counselor of the spiritual and temporal leaders
of France.
When the Cathedral of Chartres burned down, he
immediately set to rebuilding it, harnessing the financial help of
several kings of Europe. Still, this is not the sacred edifice we now
know.
Fulbert had a great devotion to Our Lady and composed many
hymns in her honor. When the beautiful new cathedral was consecrated, he
celebrated the recently introduced feast in honor of her nativity with
great solemnity. He was an outspoken opponent of simony and of bestowing
ecclesiastical endowments upon laymen. Fulbert was also a prolific
writer and his epistles have great historical value, especially on the
subject of the liturgical practices of the eleventh century.
After nearly twenty-two years as Bishop of Chartres, he died on April 10, 1029.
Saturday, April 10, 2021
St. Fulbert of Chartres
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