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SAINT WALFRID, ABBOT OF MONTEVERDI - 17 APRIL

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL

Saints celebrated on the 17th of April

SAINT WALFRID, ABBOT OF MONTEVERDI


Saint Walfrid (Walfridus, Waltfridus) lived at Monteverdi (Mons viridis) in Etruria (Toscana) as the first abbot of the monastery there. This foundation, also called Palatiolum, had already disappeared at the time of Trithemius, who left us records (Trithemius died around A.D. 1516).

St Walfrid was born in Pisa. Richly endowed with temporal assets, he had happily produced five sons. His wife left the world with him around the year 754, and apart from having erected his own institute, he also built a monastery for the virgins. 

Walfrid's  life story tells us that he followed the Rule of St Benedict. A certain Magnus of St Vincent of Volturno had relayed this monastic Rule to Abbot Walfrid, and for ten years trained his subordinates, whose number soon increased to sixty, in the way of perfection. 

It deserves special mention that by incessantly invoking the help of his holy guardian angel Walfrid was kept safe from the constant assaults of carnal temptations. His holy death took place after he had received the holy Viaticum on February 15, around the year 765. 

Trithemius writes: "Walefridus, monk and abbot of Palatiolum, a holy man loved by God, according to tradition left great marks of holiness; his feast is observed on April 17." He was succeeded as abbot by his son Gimfred (Gimfredus). The saint was invoked as a miracle worker, especially against fever, kidney disease and toothache. 

St Walfrid is also commemorated on February 14, February 15, and May 4.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Walfrid may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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