Gerald of Aurillac, St.
GERALD OF AURILLAC, ST.
Patron of Upper Auvergne, France; b. 855; d. Oct. 13, 909. He was born into an old noble family at Aurillac and succeeded his father as count of that region, although he had wished to enter religious life and had been educated as a cleric. He made several pilgrimages to Rome and, despite many difficulties, in 894 established the Abbey of aurillac, which he placed under papal protection. He was celebrated for his justice as a ruler, his many devotions (including recitation of the Divine Office), his lifelong chastity, and his gift of healing. Gerald was buried in the church at Aurillac which now bears his name. Although his popular cult began immediately and has been confirmed, he is little known outside France.
Feast: Oct. 13.
Bibliography: Acta Sanctorum Oct. 6:277–331. odo of cluny, "De vita Sancti Geraldi," Patrologia Latina 133:639–704. e. joubert, Saint Geraud d'Aurillac (Aurillac 1968). g. sitwell, ed. and tr., St. Odo of Cluny … St. Gerald of Aurillac (New York 1958). a. butler, The Lives of the Saints (New York 1956) 4:104–105.
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