Fulgentius of Ruspe

Fulgentius of Ruspe (462-533) was a name unfamiliar to me until recently. If you really want to know, his full name is Fabius Claudius Gordianos Fulgentius. I’m sticking with Fulgentius!  He was born into a prominent, wealthy family in North Africa. He demonstrated intellectual prowess as a child, memorizing the entire works of Homer and other Greek classics. He received a respectable governmental appointment at a young age and was well on his way to living the good life. Yet something was missing from Fulgentius’ life. He was becoming disenchanted with material pursuits and secular pleasures. He read Augustine’s sermon on Psalm 36 that described God as the fountain of life, and something clicked in his heart and mind. He opened his life to Christ and became a monk. He was later appointed bishop in Ruspe (located in North Africa). Most importantly, he defended the biblical faith from Arius who lobbied the church to reject the Trinity by subordinating Jesus the Son to God the Father.
Prayer can change a life. It did for Fulgentius. He experienced the truth of the words that opened his heart to faith, “For with you is the fountain of life. In your light we see light.” (Psalm 36.9). I resonate with his prayer that follows here. Where we are mistaken, God will correct. Where we stumble, God will establish.  From all things false or hurtful, God will defend: