He left Pontoise to become a monk at Cluny under Hugh but later had to return. He attempted to escape his job, going so far as to hand his resignation into the Pope (who sent him home and told him to stay put this time). When that failed, he began a campaign against the abuses and corruptions of his fellow Benedictines....and was promptly beaten and imprisoned.
This time, when he was released, he went back to work and quite trying so hard to get kicked out.
I mean, there's basically nothing on this guy, like three paragraphs, and all of it talks about how badly he tried to get away from his job! I thought I had issues with my job? Oh no, I'm a happy camper compared to St. Walter of Pontoise.
He is the patron of prisoners, POWs, and is invoked against job-related stress.....so maybe he's the patron of disgruntled employees as well?
Even the picture of the guy looks like he'd rather be any where else!
Ah well. That's part of why we love the Church, isn't it? Because Her heroes are humans, and they get irritated and short-tempered and have bad habits. It makes us feel less alone.
Anyway, thanks for tuning in for this week's Saint.
Yours always,
Tara
