Saint Cataldo, patron Saint of Massa Lubrense
Every year in May, Massa Lubrense dresses up to celebrate Saint Cataldo, its beloved patron saint. It’s a moment of spirituality, tradition, and collective identity, bringing together residents and visitors in a shared expression of faith and culture.
Biography
Saint Cataldo was likely born between 610 and 620 A.D. in Canty, Ireland, into a well-off Christian family. He was baptized with the name Cathlarm, which in old Irish means “valiant in battle”, a name more suited to a future warrior than a cleric, later adapted into the Italian Cataldo.
After the death of his parents, he chose to donate his inheritance to the poor. He then became a disciple of Carthagh, abbot of the monastery of Lismore. Ordained as a priest, he succeeded his master as head of the monastery. Later, he was appointed bishop, and around 666 he embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. According to legend, upon arrival, Jesus appeared to him and instructed him to go to Taranto to re-evangelize the city. Cataldo undertook this long journey, arriving near Lecce in Puglia. There, he successfully fought paganism and assumed the role of bishop of the city, reforming the diocese both liturgically and administratively. He died in Taranto on March 8, 685, and was buried under the cathedral floor, according to his wishes.
The origins of his cult
Later, when the Saracens destroyed the city of Salento, the Saint’s tomb was forgotten until May 10, 1071. During excavations for the new cathedral, workers discovered a sarcophagus containing the remains of the Irish bishop. In it, there was a small gold cross engraved with the Latin inscription “Cataldus,” allowing them to identify the body.
Saint Cataldo’s relics are now preserved on the altar of the so-called Cappellone inside the Taranto Cathedral, the city of which he is patron.
The cult of Saint Cataldo in Massa Lubrense
While particularly venerated in Ireland and Taranto, Saint Cataldo is also the patron of several other towns, including Massa Lubrense.
In the 15th century, the cult of Saint Cataldo arrived in Massa thanks to the Termini merchant and sailor Cesare Starace. After purchasing a relic of the Saint — a femur bone —in Taranto, he set sail for home. Despite favorable winds, near Marina della Lobra, he was forced to disembark, as the ship seemed unwilling to go further. The relic had chosen Massa Lubrense as its new home. From that moment, devotion to Saint Cataldo took root, and by 1640 he was officially recognized as the town’s patron. Today, the relic is kept in the former Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Massa Lubrense, placed on an octagonal base supporting a silver-and-gilded bronze bust of the Saint.
This is thus an ancient devotion that serves as a bridge between past and present, still enlivening the faith of the Massa Lubrense community today. Each year, the feast of Saint Cataldo enlivens the town with events lasting several days, culminating in the Eucharistic celebration and the solemn procession on May 10.
Beyond being the patron saint of Massa Lubrense, Saint Cataldo represents a connection between generations. It is a reminder of local roots, and a source of civic pride. Taking part in his feast is an authentic way to experience the very soul of this beautiful region.
