Hierarch Venantius Fortunatus

St. Venantius Fortunatus was born around 530 near Treviso, Italy, and educated at Ravenna. Healed of an eye ailment, tradition holds, through the intercession of St. Martin of Tours, he traveled as a pilgrim to Gaul and remained there for life. He became spiritual father to St. Radegund, founder of a monastery at Poitiers, and a close friend of her community. Around 599 he was consecrated Bishop of Poitiers. He became renowned as the greatest Latin poet of his age: author of the hymns "Vexilla Regis prodeunt" and "Pange lingua gloriosi," still used liturgically today, a verse Life of St. Martin of Tours, and the extensive collection of poems known as the Carmina. He died around 600 (some sources say 609).