Saint Gerald of Braga

Gerald was a monk of the abbey of Moissac in southern France who was called to Toledo, in Spain, to direct the cathedral choir. Around 1096 he became bishop, and later archbishop, of Braga in northern Portugal, a see he worked hard to restore after centuries of war. He reformed the clergy, introduced the Roman liturgy and defended the rights of his Church. He died on December 5, 1108, while visiting his diocese, and is the patron of Braga.

According to tradition he baptized Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. Another legend says he obtained ripe fruit in winter for a sick person, so Braga holds a fruit fair on his feast.