O pious Paraclete, O Holy Spirit

Author: Hildebert of Manz

Hildebert, who sprang from a family of no great position, was born at Laverdin, near Montoire, in France, 1057. Brought up at the feet of Berengarius of Tours (a pupil of Erigena) he so profited by the opportunities thus afforded him of acquiring learning, as to become one of the most cultivated scholars of his age. Having for some years been a Professor of Theology at Mans, he became at the age of forty (1097) Bishop of that see. He was translated, in 1125, to the Archbishopric of Tours, and died 1134. Hildebert's character as an individual has been very differently drawn by different writers, for while Trench describes him as " a wise and gentle prelate, although not wanting in courage to dare and fortitude to endure, when the cause of t… Go to person page >