Our 8th grand-child, Abigail, was born on May 5, 2015. She is a sweet, precious, and darling little baby girl. I know she will be happy in the home God has provided for her because -- I know her parents. They are very good people who love her dearly and want only the best for her. I became curious to know which of the saints was dedicated on the day she was born. Well, there are more than 20 that I could find. Saints are suppose to help one along the way of life, like a sign post -- go this way to find God, etc. One of the saints stood out for me. His name is Hilary of Arles who lived in the 5th century (403-449). His latin name was Hilarius. I thought that was humerous. Maybe Abby will grow up to be a person with a good sense of humor. Here is Hilary's story in brief:
Nobly born in France in the early fifth century, Hilary came from an aristocratic family. In the course of his education he encountered his relative, Honoratus, who encouraged the young man to join him in the monastic life. Hilary did so only after his relative had prayed for three days for Hilary's conversion of heart. From the moment of his conversion there appeared in Hilary that wonderful change which the Holy Ghost produces in a soul which he truly converts. His words, looks, and whole comportment breathed nothing but humility, patience, sweetness, mortification, and charity. Every one saw in him a man who began to labor in earnest to save his soul, and who had put his hand to the plough to look no more behind him. Aspiring to perfection, he sold all his several estates to his brother, and distributed all the money accruing from the sale among the poor, and the most indigent monasteries. Thus disengaged from the world, and naked, no less in the inward disposition of soul than in his exterior...He continued to follow in the footsteps of Honoratus as bishop. Hilary was only 29 when he was chosen bishop of Arles. Hilary died at 49. He was a man of talent and piety who, in due time, had learned how to be a bishop.
St. Honoratus, the eloquent bishop of Marseilles, who has given us an abstract of his life, relates several miraculous cures wrought by the saint while he was living. His body lies in a subterraneous chapel, under the high altar, in the church of St. Honoratus at Arles, with an elegant ancient epitaph. The name of St. Hilary stands in the Roman Martyrology.
Oftentimes we think of the lives of the saints as perfect and smooth. Saint Hilary’s life reminds us that human struggles are part of the Lord’s plan for us, part of His calling to us, part of our refining process. Through prayer, penance, and fasting, Saint Hilary overcame his human weakness, increasing his obedience, and submitting himself to the will of God; but, it wasn’t easy and it took his entire life! We are encouraged by Saint Hilary when we, ourselves, struggle—that while we work to understand and follow the Lord’s will, our time on earth will yield holy fruit if we strive for virtue!
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/STHILARY.htm
