User:Marycarliter/Catald

Catald of Taranto (Munster, between 610 and 620 - Taranto, March 8th, 685), also Cataldus, Cathaluds, Cathaldus, Cat(t)aldo, Cathal, was an Irish monk who came to Italy and became bishop in Taranto. He is venerated as a Saint by the Catholic Church.

Biography
Catald was born in Munster between 610 and 620. His parents, Euco Sambiak and Aclena Milar, became fervent Christians through the work of missionaries coming from Gaul. Catald received from them his education and love for prayer, obedience, order, mortification and the spirit of sacrifice. When they died, Catald decided to donate their entire inheritance to the poor. He then became a disciple and successor of Carthagh, abbot of the monastery of Lismore in Ireland. Here he was ordained as a priest. In 637, after the death of his master and spiritual father, he succeeded him in running the monastery and in 670 he was ordained as a bishop. His apparent desire for a life of solitude saw him venture off to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage between 679 and 680.

On his return home his ship was wrecked off the Italian coast, near the city of Taranto. According to legend, this choice was God's will: during his stay in Holy Land, while he was laying down on the Holy Sepulchre, Jesus would have appeared to him suggesting him to go to Taranto and re-evangelise the city that was by then in the hands of paganism. Catald then set sail on a Greek ship bound for Italy and embarked on a long voyage that led him to land in the port of what is now Marina di San Cataldo, a town 11 km from Lecce that bears his name. According to tradition, the saint is said to have thrown a ring into the sea to calm a storm; at that spot in the Mar Piccolo a "citro", i.e. a spring of fresh water called 'Anello di San Cataldo', still visible today in the form of a 'freshwater spring', was formed.

The people here appear to have encouraged the monk to accept the government of their church. Some of the miracles claimed through Catald's intercession include protecting the city against the plague and floods that, apparently, had occurred in neighbouring areas.

In Taranto, Cataldo carried out his evangelising work, demolishing pagan temples and helping the needy. He also travelled to neighbouring towns, including Corato in the province of Bari, of which he became patron, having traditionally freed the city from the plague.

He died in Taranto on March, 8th 685 and was buried, as he had wished, under the floor of the cathedral, in the eastern part then called "Giovanni in Galilea", where the current baptistery is now located. The tomb, whose memory had been lost due to the destruction of Taranto by the Saracens in 927, was found on 10 May 1071, during excavation work for the new cathedral commissioned by Bishop Drogone. When his coffin was opened, it contained a gold cross left at the time of his burial. The relics of the saint were then encased and preserved under the high altar of the new cathedral, only to be moved to a new chapel in the cathedral, where they are currently located.

Sainthood and Veneration
According to well-established sources and bibliographies, it is recorded that on the 10th of May 1071, during the excavation for the reconstruction of the city's cathedral, which had been destroyed by the Saracens in 927, a tomb was unearthed amidst a strong fragrance. Within this tomb was purportedly found the body of the saint, accompanied by a Celtic golden cross engraved with the word "CATALDVS". However, this discovery does not negate the established timeframe of Cataldo's life. Cataldo, known for his role as a professor and spiritual teacher at the School and Monastery of Lismore, which was established in 630, is presumed to have lived during the 7th century.

In 1107, Bishop Rainald conducted a solemn transfer of the relics to be placed beneath the high altar. Subsequently, in 1151, Bishop Giraldo relocated the relics to a silver urn located in the right transept of the cathedral.

Since the discovery of his remains, the veneration of St. Cataldo has flourished among the faithful of Taranto, who have consecrated the site of his discovery to him and proclaimed him as the patron saint of the city. In Taranto, the venerable Confraternity of San Cataldo, established in his honor during the 15th century, stands as the oldest such institution in the city.

Tradition ascribes to him a plethora of miracles performed within the confines of Taranto, among which notable instances include the restoration of sight to a child and the resurrection of a deceased mason, as well as the healing of a blind man and a mute young shepherdess.

Saint Cataldo is invoked as a protector against warfare, epidemics, and untimely death.

Moreover, the reverence for Saint Cataldo extends to healthcare endeavors and public institutions bearing his name, serving as tangible expressions of faith and gratitude for his divine intercession and safeguarding.

Patronages and places associated with Saint Catald
Saint Cataldo receives particular veneration in Ireland, his country of origin, as well as in Taranto, where he serves as the patron saint of the city and its associated archdiocese. Additionally, reverence for him is prominent within the archdiocese of Rossano-Cariati. Furthermore, in Supino (FR), a town located in southern Lazio, Saint Cataldo holds the esteemed position of co-patron and patron Saint. A dedicated shrine is erected in his honor within the jurisdiction of the archdiocese of San Pietro the Apostle, representing the sole such establishment in Italy beyond traditional parishes settings, churches, hermitages or caves. Furthermore, Saint Cataldo is venerated as the eponymous titular figure of churches and locales, or as the patron saint, in numerous other regions and communities. In Ireland, he is celebrated in several towns, particularly in places associated with his life and legacy. Some of the towns where Saint Catald is venerated include: Tarbert, County Kerry, Lismore, County Waterford and Donegal where you can admire a stained glass dedicated to him.

The veneration of Saint Cataldo takes place in nine Italian regions. In particular, the cult is most widespread in three Italian regions and four of their respective provinces.

In Sicily in Gagliano Castelferrato (EN) where he is celebrated on 29/30/31 August, as well as 8th March. In the local dialect he is called San Catà or San Catavudu and is acclaimed, during the procession, by shouting: 'E gridamu tutti cu' divuzione: Viva Diu e San Catà. E di vicinou e di luntanu viva San Catavudu di Agghianu!' (And we all shout with devotion: Long live God and San Cataldo. And from near and far viva San Cataldo di Gagliano). Ignorant of the motif of the three blessing fingers, people believed he held up the fortress of Gagliano with them, Gangi (PA), Gliaca di Piraino (ME), San Cataldo (CL).

In Apulia in San Cataldo di Lecce (LE), Taranto (TA), Cagnano Varano (FG) and Corato (BA) where he is the patron saint of the city and venerated in the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where a valuable 18th-century wooden statue and a silver bust with a relic from 1770 are kept. He is celebrated on 8th March, 10th May and on the third Sunday of August (with related Saturdays and Mondays) with three evocative processions. In Lazio in Cottanello (RI) Eremo di San Cataldo, Patrica (FR), San Giovanni Incarico (FR), Supino (FR) as co-patron saint. In three other regions it is widespread in three provinces.

In Calabria in Cariati where he is co-patron Saint and of the Archdiocese of Rossano-Cariati. Venerated in the Cariati Co-Cathedral, where a valuable 18th-century wooden statue is kept; celebrated on 9th and 10th May with a procession that winds its way to the shrine dedicated to him on the seashore, Cirò (KR), Cirò Marina (KR) Patron of the city and venerated in the church of St. Cataldo Bishop. In Basilicata in Lagonegro (PZ) as co-patron, San Cataldo frazione di Bella, (PZ). In Campania in Roccaromana (CE), Massa Lubrense (NA), Pattano fraction of Vallo della Lucania (SA).

In addition, San Cataldo is celebrated in Abruzzo in Giuliano teatino (CH) co-patron, in Marche in Esanatoglia (MC) and in Tuscany in Santa Maria a colle (Lucca).