St. Exuperius was a bishop in ancient France, and was renowned for his generosity.

He was born in the Pyrenees, a place that now holds a chapel and is a pilgrimage site, and became bishop of Toulouse in 403. He was known to send gifts to Christians living as far away as Egypt and Palestine. Many were suffering during that time because Gaul and much of Europe was being overrun by the Vandals.

St. Jerome was one who benefited from his charity, and he dedicated his commentary on the book of Zacharias to Exuperius. “To relieve the hunger of the poor, he suffers hunger himself,” Jerome wrote of the bishop. “He gives his all to the poor of Christ. … His charity knew no bounds.”

Exuperius wrote to the pope for advice on several matters, including what books were officially included in sacred Scripture. The list that the pope replied with contains the same books we have today.

We do not know when or where St. Exuperius died, but it seems that he was exiled during the last part of his life. He is counted among the most important bishops of Gaul, which is likely why his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica—Notre Dame was founded by French missionaries from the Congregation of Holy Cross.

St. Exuperius, you were the generous bishop who supported Christians in need far and wide, pray for us!