FERREOL, Saint. — Bishop of Uzès in Gallia Narbonensis after 552, d. Jan. 4, 581. He labored much for the reform of the clergy and extended his zeal even to the Jews residing in his diocese, seeking to convert them, which earned him an exile of three years, imposed upon him on the charge of plotting with them against the State.
About 558 he founded a monastery, for which he wrote a Rule, the Regula monasterii Ferriolacensis. In the three chapters of which it consists, F. reveals a particular familiarity with the Rules of St. Caesarius of Arles and of St. Auricianus; indeed, many of his prescriptions derive almost entirely from these.
This rule is noteworthy for the precision and exactness of its norms, and even more for the spirit of wisdom and discretion that animates II. F. demonstrates in it personal experience of monastic life.