Gerard of Toul

Tomb of saint Gerard in the cathedral of Toul

Saint Gerard of Toul, also Saint Gerald of Toul (French: Geraud; 935 in Cologne - 994 in Toul) was a German priest who was appointed bishop of Toul in 963.

Unlike some other saints he was born into a very wealthy, noble family.

Toul at this time, although a part of the Holy Roman Empire, enjoyed a great deal of independence under its prince-bishops. Gerard proved a successful and respected ruler, governing the principality for thirty-one years.

He established many religious schools in the see, inviting scholars from across Europe, namely Greeks, to study and teach at Toul. He also rebuilt many churches, notably Toul Cathedral. According to the Vita Sancti Gerardi, Gerard had the relics of both Saint Mansuetus and Saint Aprus, earlier bishops of Toul, brought into the city and placed in the church of St. John the Baptist while he was ill.[1]

He is said to have come up with the use of goutweed (also formerly known as "herb Gerald"), which was used in the Middle Ages to treat gout.

It is believed he entered activity in the Church when his mother was killed by a lightning strike, an event he believed to be divine judgment for his sins.

He died on April 23, 994.

He was canonized in 1050 by Pope Leo IX (Bruno of Eguisheim), who had succeeded him as bishop of the see.

His feast day is celebrated on April 23.

Notes

  1. ↑ Karl Leyser, Timothy Reuter, Warriors and Churchmen in the High Middle Ages: Essays Presented to Karl Leyser (Continuum International Publishing Group: 1992), 56.

References