Saint of the Day – 6 November – St Israel du Dorat (c950-1014), Priest, Vicar General of the Diocese of Limoges, Poet, Professor of Theology at the Episcopal school. Born in c950 in Dorat, France and died there on 22 December 1014 of natural causes. Also known as Leonard, Israel of Limousin, Israel of Limoges. Additional Memorials – 13 September in Limousi, 22 December (the day of his death) and 27 January (translation of Relics) in Dorat.
Israel du Dorat was born around 950 in a noble family of Dorat, at the gate of Dinsac, between Limoges and Poitiers. A stone cross marks the location of the house of his birth.
His parents dedicated him to divine service. After his studies he beccame the Master in the Regular Chapter of Dorat , where after his training, he was received as a Canon. Israel was Ordained to the Priesthood and was appointed as the Vicar General of Bi, Aldouin, of Limoges. He then taught theology at the Episcopal school,and wrote a versified life of Christ in the Limousin language, a century before the lyrical poetry of the troubadours.
In 994 , during a plague epidemic, he treated the sick and buried the dead himself.
He accompanied Bishop Aldouin on his journey to see Robert II the Pious , King of France.
When the Monks and their Prior, Itier of the Abbey of Saint-Junien had been violently attacked and massacred in the Parish of Étagnac , while they were collecting tithes, Pope Sylvester II charged Israel with the re-establishment of this community as the Provost. He had the Church rebuilt.
In 1006 , he returned to Dorat, where he was a great choirmaster and trained many disciples, including Saint Theobald of Dorat (c990-1070).. He died there on 22 December 1014. A year earlier, Israel had seen the foundations of the current collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre du Dorat emerge from the ground to replace the old Church destroyed by fire.
After his death, our sweet St Israel, he continued to heal and comfort the many pilgrims who thronged to his tomb. Because of the many miracles attributed to him, he became the object of an important cult throughout the region.
On 27 January 1130, his Relics were transferred to the Crypt of the new Collegiate Church of Dorat dedicated to St Peter, see below, with those of Saint Théobald (Feast: 20 December).
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