Saint Who?
Saints Who Worked in Agriculture
Saint Walstan
Layman († 1016) Feast: May 30
According to long tradition, Walstan belonged to a noble family in England. At twelve he left home and became a farm laborer. He spent his time working and praying, gaining a reputation for generosity and piety. One story tells how Walstan gave away his shoes, which were a recent gift from his employer. This irritated his employer’s wife, who set Walstan to work among thorns, which did not harm him.
It is said an angel appeared to Walstan to announce the time of his death. Joyfully, Walstan received the sacraments in preparation. This done, he continued to work as usual; he was in the field when he collapsed. A priest came to bring him last rites, but forgot his holy water. At Walstan’s prayer a well sprang up. Walstan instructed his companions to invoke him for help on behalf of the sick, including sick animals.
As his body traveled to its final resting place, springs appeared wherever the wagon paused. He was buried in the nearby church. This church and the closest well, Saint Walstan’s Well—the “Lourdes of England”—became popular places of pilgrimage. Cures were reported at Walstan’s well as recently as 1913. Walstan is a patron of farmworkers.
Merciful Father, through the prayers
of Saint Walstan, grant us the grace
of a holy death.
