Saint Petroc, Patron of Devon and Cornwall

 

SAINT PETROC, PATRON OF DEVON AND CORNWALL

In 6th-century England, there once was a powerful serpent that squash all the enemies of King Teudar.  It took 3 saints - Saints Petroc, Wethnoc, and Samson to vanquish it.  

Saint Petroc was known to be a man of humility.  Though born a prince to a Welsh chieftain, and urged to rule the kingdom, he chose to serve God instead.  

One story about him shows how even saints can be mistaken.  After being an abbot for 30 years, Saint Petroc went on a pilgrimage to Rome.  Upon his return, a downpour began and he said that the weather would clear in the morning.  The next days, the opposite happened.  The rain was continuous.  Petroc in his hasty presumption responded by going on another pilgrimage as penance.

Saint Petroc traveled as far as India.  There he was able to tame a wolf and even brought it back to England with him.

He was the founder of a monastery and a school.

This saint is the patron of many places in the United Kingdom and France.  Among these are Devon, Cornwall, Exeter, and Saint-Meen.

Today, June 4th is his feast day.  Saint Petroc, pray for us!