Catald

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Saint Catald
Statue of Saint Catald.
Born	7th-8th cent.
Died	8 March
Venerated in	Tarento
Canonized	pre-congregation
Major shrine	Lismore, County Waterford
Feast	May 10
Patronage	invoked for protection from plagues, droughts, & storms
Saints Portal

Saint Catald of Taranto (also known as Cataldus, Cathaluds, Cat(t)aldo, Cathal) was a friend of Saint Patrick an Irish monk who became a saint around in 685. His monastery was in Lismore, County Waterford but his apparent desire for a life of solitute saw him venture off to Jerusalem around the time that the city was coming under Muslim rule.

On his return home his ship was wrecked off the Italian coast, near the city of Taranto. The people here appear to have encouraged the monk to become their bishop, and he rose to become their archbishop. Some of the miracles claimed in Catald's name include protecting the city against the plague and floods that, apparently, had occurred in neighbouring areas.

When his coffin was reopened it allegedly contained a golden Celtic cross and a stick carved from Irish oak featuring Celtic design which was to become Catald's emblem. The Italian towns of San Cataldo are believed to have been named in his honour, and his feast day is May 10.