Prosper of Aquitaine

Prosper of Aquitaine was born around 390 in Aquitaine in Gaul, and may have received his education at Bordeaux. In the turmoil following the Gothic invasions, he fled to Marseille by 417, where his faith and learning drew him into the great theological struggles of his age. A devoted layman and ardent disciple of Saint Augustine of Hippo, Prosper defended Augustine’s teaching on grace and free will against Pelagian and semi-Pelagian errors, corresponding with Augustine in 429 and later appealing in Rome to Pope Celestine I for support of Augustine’s doctrine. By the time of Pope Leo I, Prosper was living in Rome and likely served the pope in a secretarial role, traditionally linked with Leo’s important letters against heresy. Prosper’s writings—especially The Call of All Nations and his clear summaries and maxims drawn from Augustine—helped shape medieval reflection on grace, prayer, and Christian life, often associated with the principle “lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi.” He also continued Saint Jerome’s Chronicle, recording events up to 455. He is honored as patron of Saint-Prosper. His feast day is June 25.