St. Hilary of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church, January 13

St. Hilary of Poitiers was a married man, convert to the faith, priest, bishop, and a Doctor of the Church. He came from a wealthy, well-educated, pagan family. He had studied Greek and Latin. It was while he was reading the Scriptures that he found the One, True, God, Three Persons in One, and became a great defender of the Holy Trinity. 

Hilary was born in 315 A.D. and died in 368. It was a challenging time for a convert with heresies abounding including Arianism. Arianism was the heretical teaching of Arius, a priest of Alexandria, Egypt. It held that Jesus Christ was not divine, not the Son of God, but merely a good man.

The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea was called to address this heresy. Over two hundred and twenty bishops who attended the council signed the Nicene Creed which affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ," ...true God from true God, begotten not made...." Bishop Hilary attended the council and went on to write the first theological book on the Holy Trinity. His writings were well-received and explained faithfully and in depth this mystery of God. 

Hilary was a defender of the dogma of the Holy Trinity and like St. Athanasius who zealously defended it, he was driven from his diocese for his defense of this teaching. He spent four years exiled in Phrygia, although he was able to rule the diocese of Poitiers from there. During this time he continued to write. After four years he returned to Poitiers. Bishop Hilary has been called "Hammer of the Arians" He was made a Doctor of the Church after his death. This honor affirms that the writings and/or preachings are outstanding for the faithful in all ages of the Church. Besides theological writings, Bishop Hilary also wrote hymns. Let us ask St. Hilary to pray for us as we seek to write and compose well.

                                                                       St. Hilary, Pray for Us!

I have made this recipe many times. I love beignets! I hope when you have a chance you will try them and let me know what you think.

BEIGNETS: A French Treat in Honor of a French Bishop and Doctor of the Church

YIELDS: 20

INGREDIENTS                                                                                               EQUIPMENT

¾ cup lukewarm water (105 – 115 degrees)                                        Large bowl or Kitchen Aid Mixer

1 pkg.  active dry yeast or 2 ¼ tsp.                                                         Microwave container or small pot

1/3 cup of sugar                                                                                          Measuring cups

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour                                                                        Measuring spoons

Pinch of salt (about 1/16 tsp.)                                                                 Whisk and small bowl

1 large egg                                                                                                    Floured board or pastry sheet

½ cup evaporated milk                                                                              Frying or candy thermometer

3 tbsp. melted butter                                                                                 Biscuit cutter – 1 ½ or 2 inches round

1 tsp. vanilla extract                                                                                   4-quart pan or Dutch oven

Oil for frying – Canola or Vegetable                                                       Paper Towels

Confectionary Sugar                                                                                   Paper Bags, a couple

DIRECTIONS:

1.      In a large bowl or Kitchen Aid Mixer combine lukewarm water and yeast. Let stand for five minutes until dissolved.

2.      In a small bowl, lightly whisk egg, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar. Add to yeast mixture.

3.      Measure out two cups of flour and mix by hand or in standard mixer until incorporated. About 2 minutes for standard mixer.

4.      Melt butter in microwave container or in pan on stove. Add to dough and mix until dough is sticky but smooth. Add additional flour to make a soft dough.  May save some for flouring board.

5.      Turn dough onto lightly floured board or pastry sheet and knead, 1 – 2 minutes. Lightly grease bowl. Return dough to greased bowl, turning once to coat it.

6.      Cover bowl and let dough rise in a warm, draft free place for two hours or until double in size.

7.      Punch the dough down and remove from bowl.

8.      Roll dough out on lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Then cut dough in round 2-inch shape. Let dough rest for 10 minutes before frying.

9.      Add oil to pan about 2-inches in depth. Heat to 350 degrees F.  Working in batches of four and five depending on the size of your pan. Fry the beignets two to three minutes until they are golden brown on both sides. Remove carefully and place on paper towels.

10.   Place two cups of confectionary sugar in a paper bag and add warm beignets. Shake gently to coat beignets completely. Remove from bag and enjoy with a cup of your favorite hot drink!

 

This book was published in November 2021. It is for young people ages 8 - 12. It looks very good. You can review it yourself on Amazon. I am going to buy it for my own children's library and it looks like the kind of book I will be giving for a gift for First Holy Communion and other occasions.

Prayer to St. Hilary of Poitiers

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Hilary as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You that he showed in his life, from the time of his conversion to Christianity. 

St. Hilary, you were raised and educated in the pagan religion. Despite this, you opened yourself up to Christianity and chose to serve God.

Please bring my petitions before God Whom you chose to serve!

As you studied the writings of the Old and New Testaments, you came to see that Christianity was the truth. You and your family were baptized, and you devoted yourself to God for the rest of your life.

Pray for me, that I may choose to serve God in my life each day. Pray that I may remain devoted to God for the rest of my life.

                      St. Hilary, pray for us!