Regarding Saint Fulbert's birth; there is no definitive information as to the precise year or place of accounts range from 952 to 970. Most accounts locate his birth in northern France, likely Picardy, however others indicate northern Italy. However, it is acknowledged by the sources that he was of humble birth.

Several records indicate that he attended the cathedral school at Rheims in the 980s and was actively involved there. His role is variably described as assistant or schoolmaster. He also held several minor ecclesiastical positions at the cathedral.

Fulbert studied in Rheims, France, and was a student of Gerbert of Aurillac, who eventually became Pope Sylvester II. He was ordained as a deacon in 1004, and in 1006 he was chosen to serve as the bishop of Chartres, a position he held until his passing. He contributed to the Cluniac Reform while also being a poet and scholar.

Fulbert had written many letters between 1004 and 1028 to prominent secular and religious individuals of the. Few of them includes, letters to his churchmen about a number of liturgical matters, such as bishop appointment, excommunication, and obedience. His letters also contain correspondence regarding routine daily matters like scheduling meetings and expressing gratitude for medication. These letters shed light on a number of topics affecting France in the late 10th and early 11th centuries.

In addition, Fulbert has penned hymns that glorify the Virgin. In addition, he created "Chorus Novae Jerusalem" (Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem), which was meant to be performed at Easter ceremonies.

During Fulbert's lifetime, people began to fear the end of the world. Fulbert used the devotion of the Virgin Mary that was already prevalent in the Church to emphasize the significance of her. The consequences were twofold: it served to lessen people's anxieties while also considerably expanding the Marian Devotion and Chartres' role in it. Fulbert elaborated on the miracles surrounding Mary, particularly those instances where she had mediated between sinners and God. In this way, people may pray to Mary to intercede on their behalf before God in the alleged impending apocalypse.

One of these miracles concerned Fulbert personally; as a result of his devotion to Mary, she had healed him with a drop of milk when he was critically ill. Additionally, it helped to solidify Mary's role as the mother of all those who had faith in her, as well as the Mother of Christ. The end result of all of this was Fulbert's insistence for a unique feast day to commemorate Mary's Nativity.

In his well-known sermon "Approbate Consuetudinis," Fulbert recounts the miracles of Mary. Additionally, he cites Mary's family history, which the Bible links to King David. Fulbert used the symbolism of the "Stirps Jesse" (Tree of Jesse) to help explain Mary's kinship to the revered men of the past and how it was decided, as stated in Scripture, that she would be the person from whom Christ would be born. This served to emphasize her significance throughout the world and persuade people of the importance of commemorating her birth.

Throughout the following several centuries in Europe, this sermon sparked a variety of changes in the liturgy. Fulbert was able to increase Mary's significance, which led to an increase in her reverence, by promoting the Feast Day of Mary's Nativity. This increased the Cathedral of Chartres' significance as a centre of Marian devotion and offered people a spiritual icon to cling to throughout those difficult times.

Fulbert made a significant contribution to the growth and propagation of the ideas that resulted in the Gregorian church reforms of the 11th century under Pope Gregory VII during his stay in Chartres. These changes focused on the separation of church and state, particularly when it came to appointing new bishops and abbots.

Following the fire that destroyed Chartres Cathedral in 1020, Fulbert committed his efforts to obtaining funds for its reconstruction, which was finished in 1037, nine years after his death.

Although Fulbert was never formally canonized by the Church, Rome gave the dioceses of Chartres and Poitiers permission to honor him on April 10th.

Throughout his life, St. Fulbert tried to help everyone around him understand the importance of the Virgin Mother in their lives. Even today, as we read about his life, we are reminded to pray to Mother Mary anytime, for she will always be there for us, just as she was with Christ from his birth till his death on the Cross.

Other Saints of the Day

1. Saint Michael de Sanctis

2. Saint Beocca

3. Saint Macarius the Ghent

4. Saint Terence

5. Saint Michael of the Saints