Catald of Taranto
Catald of Taranto was an Irish monk who, after a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, became the bishop and spiritual leader of Taranto in Italy following a shipwreck. He is remembered for protecting the city from natural disasters and for his relics, which were discovered centuries later. His feast day is celebrated annually on May 10th.
- Feast Day
- 10 May
- Century
- 7th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Catald was an Irish monk from Munster and a disciple of Carthage.
- ›He is believed to have been consecrated a bishop in Ireland.
- ›His ship was wrecked off the coast of Taranto, where he was encouraged to lead the local church.
- ›Miracles attributed to him include protecting Taranto from plague and floods.
- ›His relics were found in his coffin in the eleventh century and preserved in the cathedral.
- ›He is the patron saint of Corato, Italy, and is honored by towns named San Cataldo.
Cataldus, Cathaluds, Cathaldus, Cat(t)aldo, Cathal
Corato, Apulia, Sicilian Normans
Gold Cross
About Catald of Taranto
Catald of Taranto, also known by various cognomens including Cataldus and Cathal, was an Irish monk who flourished in the 7th century. His life and veneration are primarily associated with the city of Taranto in southern Italy.
Life and Ministry
Born in Munster, Ireland, Catald was a disciple and successor of Carthage at the renowned School of Lismore in County Waterford. It is believed that he was consecrated as a bishop in his native Ireland. Driven by a desire for spiritual growth and solitude, Catald embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Upon his return journey, his ship was shipwrecked off the Italian coast, near the city of Taranto. The inhabitants of Taranto are said to have persuaded the monk to assume leadership of their church. During his time there, several miracles were attributed to his intercession, including the protection of the city from plague and floods that affected neighboring areas.
Legacy and Veneration
Catald's profound influence is evident in his continued veneration. His feast day is observed on May 10th. He held particular significance as the patron saint of the Sicilian Normans. Today, San Cataldo is recognized as the patron saint of Corato, a town in the Metropolitan City of Bari within the region of Apulia.
The primary site of his veneration is the Cattedrale di San Cataldo, which serves as the archiepiscopal see of the Archdiocese of Taranto. Sicily is home to two churches bearing his name: the Church of San Cataldo in Palermo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Church of San Cataldo in Erice, which functions as a parish church. Additionally, a parish church in Montenero Sabino, in the Lazio region, is dedicated to San Cataldo.
The legacy of Catald is further cemented by the existence of Italian towns named in his honor, including a town in Sicily and a modern sea resort in the Apulian Province of Lecce.
In the eleventh century, when Catald's coffin was opened, it contained a gold cross placed at the time of his burial. His relics were subsequently encased and preserved within the high altar of the cathedral, attesting to his enduring sanctity and the deep devotion he inspired.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Catald of Taranto?
Catald of Taranto was an Irish monk who became the bishop of Taranto, Italy, in the 7th century. He was known for his monastic background and for his intercession in protecting the city from natural disasters.
Where was Catald of Taranto from?
Catald was born in Munster, Ireland, and was a disciple of Carthage at the School of Lismore. He later became the bishop of Taranto in Italy.
What is Catald of Taranto remembered for?
He is remembered for his leadership of the church in Taranto, for miracles attributed to his intercession such as protecting the city from plague and floods, and for his relics which were discovered in the eleventh century.
When is the feast day of Saint Catald?
The feast day of Saint Catald is celebrated annually on May 10th.
Where are churches dedicated to Saint Catald?
Churches dedicated to Saint Catald can be found in various locations in Italy, including Palermo and Erice in Sicily, and Montenero Sabino in Lazio. The Cattedrale di San Cataldo in Taranto is the archiepiscopal see of its archdiocese.
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