St. Fulcran of Lodève

St. Fulcran was born about 950, of a noble family in the region of Languedoc in southern France, and was raised in piety and learning. Ordained and esteemed for his virtue, he was chosen Bishop of Lodève about 949 or 950, an office he held for nearly half a century, governing his diocese with a rare combination of holiness, firmness, and charity in an age of much disorder.

A zealous reformer, he labored to raise the standard of life among his clergy, to instruct his people, and to relieve the poor, the sick, and the leprous, whom he served with his own hands. He rebuilt and restored the cathedral and many churches and monasteries of his diocese that had fallen into ruin or decay, and defended the rights and discipline of the Church against those who would violate them. Renowned for his generosity and his defense of the faith, he died on 13 February 1006 and was soon venerated as a saint. His memory is kept on 13 February.