(c.400-449) Saint Hilary came from a wealthy background and received an aristocratic education in philosophy and rhetoric. He was well situated to be very successful in the secular world but then his relative, Saint Honoratus, challenged him to have deeper reflection on life and introduced him to the faith. Hilary sold his many estates, gave his money to the poor, and joined his relative in the monastery. The two eventually served as consecutive bishops in Arles, France.

12-step recovery is centered on a spiritual awakening. Even secular fellowships stress the importance of this process as a spiritual program. No matter where we are on our journey to know and love God, serve Him in this life, and be with Him in the next, we can find places that need strengthening. This requires humility. Saint Hilary is a clear example of this radical humility and the courage to put all hope in Jesus (Steps 2 and 3).

“On one side, I saw the Lord calling me; on the other the world offering me its seducing charms and pleasures. How often did I embrace and reject, will and not will the same thing! But in the end Jesus Christ triumphed in me” (Saint Hilary of Arles).

Reflection by Brad Farmer