Saint Hilary was born around the year 400 and gave up wealth and worldly ambition to become a monk at the island monastery of Lérins. While still a young man he was chosen Archbishop of Arles in Gaul, where he lived with great simplicity, preached tirelessly, worked with his hands, and sold church goods to ransom captives and care for the poor. He died in 449, worn out by his labors, and was mourned by his whole city.
Hilary shows us that a life poured out for others is never wasted; he held high office yet lived as a servant, keeping nothing for himself. His example invites us to love the poor concretely and to spend ourselves gladly for those entrusted to us, trusting that God receives every hidden sacrifice.
Lord God, who gave Saint Hilary of Arles a shepherd's heart and a servant's hands, help us to love the people You place in our care with the same generosity, and gather all Your children, living and departed, into Your peace. Amen.