Saint Arnulf of Soissons, also known as Arnoldus, Arnoul, Arnulphus, or Arnolfo, was born in 1040 in Flanders, Belgium. He was a French nobleman who led a distinguished career as a soldier under King Robert and King Henry I. However, his life took a drastic turn when he decided to answer a religious calling and became a Benedictine monk at the monastery of Saint Medard in Soissons, France, around the year 1060. After some time as a monk, Saint Arnulf felt drawn to a life of solitude and became a hermit. For three years, he lived in a tiny cell with minimal contact with the outside world. However, his solitude was interrupted when he was called back to his community to serve as the abbot of his monastery. Although he initially tried to refuse the responsibility, legend has it that Saint Arnulf attempted to flee the house but was stopped in his tracks by a wolf that blocked his path. Taking it as a divine sign, he returned and embraced his role as an abbot. In the course of his religious journey, Saint Arnulf became a priest and was eventually appointed as the Bishop of Soissons in 1081. Upon receiving the news of his appointment, he humbly replied, "Leave a sinner to offer to God some fruits of penance and compel not a madman to take upon him a charge which requires so much wisdom." Despite his reservations, he was ordered to take on the position. However, it soon became clear that being a bishop was overwhelming for Saint Arnulf, and an interloper even drove him from his see. Considering this turn of events as a sign from God, Saint Arnulf resigned from the bishopric and returned to his life as a monk. He went on to found a monastery at Aldenburg, Flanders, where he spent the remainder of his days in prayer and contemplation. It was at this monastery that Saint Arnulf peacefully passed away in 1087. Throughout his life, Saint Arnulf performed many acts of piety and charity, and numerous miracles were reported at his tomb. These miracles were investigated and approved by a council at Beauvais, France, in 1121. As a result, Saint Arnulf was recognized as a saint, and his relics were translated to the church of Saint Peter in Aldenburg, Belgium, in 1131. Saint Arnulf is widely venerated as the patron saint of brewers, hop pickers, millers, and music. He is also considered the intercessor for those seeking to find lost articles. In iconography, Saint Arnulf is often depicted as a bishop blessing a burning castle, wearing a coat of mail under his cope, or with a fish in its mouth, symbolizing a miraculous event in his life. Additionally, he is sometimes portrayed with a mash rake, a tool used in beer brewing, and washing the feet of the poor, exemplifying his humility and dedication to serving others. Today, Saint Arnulf's feast day is celebrated on August 14th, honoring his holiness and the many virtues he displayed throughout his life.