SAINT WALTER, ABBOT - 4 JUNE

 

SAINT WALTER, ABBOT

Saint Walter (Gualterius, Galterus, Gualteras, Valterus, Walther) lived in the 13th century. He is particularly venerated in the bishopric of Fermo (Firmum Picenum) in the Papal States

He was born in Rome of noble stock. His father is called Euritus, the mother Victoria, and it is added that they received their son from God through unceasing prayer. On his forehead, from his birth, he wore a wonderful sign in the form of a cross, which is said to have shone on certain occasions. Even now, this can be observed whenever his relics are exposed for the veneration of the faithful.

Upon Walter growing up, his father wanted to marry him off. In this distress, the young man went to the priest Armandus and was advised to turn to God with confidence. Walter did so, and suddenly perceived a voice from above, telling him to flee. He escaped in the company of a pious  lad and came to a forest in the valley of Marana in the Picene region north-east of Rome. Here they stayed on a hill near San-Servigliano, where they soon became known for their piety. The inhabitants therefore built them a hospice on the Tenna (Tinna, Tignea, Tinea), a river in the March of Ancona, from which a monastery soon arose. Walter became abbot there.

Later his parents learned of his whereabouts, reconciled with him and died at his abbey. Walter passed away a long time later, but the year of his death cannot be specified. 

At one point, the monastery was destroyed. Therefore his relics were taken to Servigliano, to the parish church of Saint Mark, where they are venerated on June 4. For this special event, a large crowd of people is usually present. On March 5, 1652, Pope Innocent X granted a plenary indulgence to all those who celebrated the feast of Saint Walter, visiting the designated parish church and fulfil the usual conditions. The Roman Martyrology* does not list this Saint Walter. (I.405)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, pp. 534-35)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Walter 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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