St. Sulpice the Pious

Sulpice was born in France in the late sixth century to a noble family. He was always devoted to caring for the poor and studying Scripture. He was ordained a priest and made director of the bishop’s school in Bourges. King Clotaire II heard of Sulpice’ good reputation and made him the almoner (distributor of charitable alms) and chaplain of the Frankish army.

In 624 Sulpice became the bishop of Bourges. He was the second bishop of Bourges with that name, the earlier being known Sulpice the Severe. Yet this man was known as Sulpice the Pious.He worked to reestablish ecclesiastical discipline and care for the poor. When the people complained of heavy taxes and mistreatment, Sulpice was not afraid to decree fasting for clergy, and even sent a decree of fasting to the king, making the statement that even the king was not above the Church.

He founded a monastery near Bourges. In his old age, he retired there, letting a coadjutor run the diocese. Sulpice died there on January 17, 646.

The church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris was named after him, the second biggest church in the city. It was there that the Society of Saint-Sulpice began. The society would send some of the earliest missionaries to North America in the sixteenth century.