Saint Catald
Saint Catald (also Cataldo, Cathal; born c. 635 AD in Munster, Ireland; died c. 671 AD in Taranto, Apulia, Italy) was an Irish bishop who became one of the most beloved saints of southern Italy. He is said to have been an Irish monk who traveled to the Holy Land on pilgrimage and was shipwrecked on the coast of Apulia, where he settled as Bishop of Taranto. He became patron of Taranto and is celebrated with great devotion in that city. His feast day is May 10.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Catald
| Saint Catald | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 10 |
| Profession | Irish bishop; Bishop of Taranto; pilgrim |
| Rel. Affiliation | Diocese of Taranto |
| Patronage | Taranto; Apulia; Ireland-Italy connections; protection from plague, drought, and storms |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; palm branch; anchor or ship (pilgrimage); Irish tonsure |
| Birthplace | Munster, Ireland |
| Death Place | Taranto, Apulia, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of San Cataldo (Basilica of San Cataldo), Taranto, Apulia, Italy |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar); major feast in Taranto |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Catald (Irish: Cathal) was an Irish monk, probably from the Munster region, who founded a monastery near Lismore in County Waterford before setting out on pilgrimage to the Holy Land around 666 AD. On his return voyage, he was driven by storms to the coast of Puglia (Apulia) in southern Italy, landing near Taranto.
The people of Taranto recognized him as a holy man and prevailed on him to remain and serve as their bishop. He accepted and served as Bishop of Taranto until his death around 671 AD. His episcopate was marked by charity to the poor and miraculous deeds. After his death, his cult spread throughout Apulia and became enormously popular.
His relics were discovered in 1071 when the Norman nobleman Bohemund I ordered repairs to the Cathedral of Taranto; the coffin found bore a pastoral cross of Irish type engraved with the letters "C.C." (Cataldus Rachau, i.e., Cathal of Rachau/Lismore). The discovery confirmed his identity and led to the great medieval pilgrimage. The Norman Romanesque cathedral (now a Baroque building) of Taranto is dedicated to him as the Cathedral of San Cataldo. His feast is celebrated with great civic and religious solemnity in Taranto on May 10.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Munster, Ireland
Death location: Taranto, Apulia, Italy
Notable location: His episcopal see; the city of which he is patron; Cathedral of San Cataldo (Taranto, Apulia, Italy)
Notable location: Traditional site of his early monastery in Ireland before his pilgrimage (Rachau (Lismore area), County Waterford, Ireland)
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Parishes
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Media
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Cathedral of San Cataldo, Taranto, Apulia, Italy — his principal shrine; houses his relics; magnificent Norman-Baroque cathedral.
Feast day
May 10
Veneration
Saint Catald is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on May 10. He is the patron and beloved saint of Taranto.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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