| Saint Catald | |
|---|---|
Statue of Saint Catald at Taranto. |
|
| Born | 400-405 Ireland |
| Died | 485-480 Taranto |
| Honored in | Tarento, Ireland |
| Canonized | About 685 (Pre-congregation) |
| Major shrine | Lismore, County Waterford, Taranto |
| Feast | 10 May |
| Patronage | Invoked for protection from plagues, droughts and storms |
Saint Catald of Taranto (aka Cataldus, Cathaluds, Cat(t)aldo, Cathal), Irish monk, fl. 5th century.
Catald was an Irish monk and friend of Saint Patrick. He was made a saint around 685.
His monastery was in Lismore, County Waterford but his apparent desire for a life of solitude saw him venture off to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage.
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 10 May.