Sulpicius Severus

Who they were

Sulpicius Severus, of a noble family of Aquitaine, was a renowned lawyer. After the early death of his wife he gave up his career, followed his friend St Paulinus of Nola into monastic life, and became a disciple and biographer of St Martin of Tours.

He was ordained priest. According to Gennadius, he was drawn into Pelagianism late in life and, on seeing his error, kept silence for the rest of his life in penance. He died about 420.

The miracles

The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe how he came to be honoured as a saint.

Why that counted as sanctity

A lawyer turned monk who wrote the life of St Martin.

Connected on this site

• Martin of Tours Saint Teacher
  “The contemporary hagiographer Sulpicius Severus wrote a Life of St.” — Wikipedia
• Paulinus of Nola Saint
  “Suffering from an eye disease no doctor could cure, he went with his friend Sulpicius Severus to St Martin of Tours and was healed.” — this site's research
• Sulpitius I of Bourges Saint
  “Often called Sulpitius Severus, the Severe, he is wrongly identified with Sulpicius Severus, the historian of Saint Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia