Saint of the Day – 7 October – Saint Gerold of Cologne (c1201-1241) Layman Pilgrim. Born in Cologne, Germany and died in Cremona, Italy by being murdered by robbers. He is venerated by both Cologne and Cremona as their own special Saint and is regarded as a Martyr, although it is doubtful that he was killed for the Faith. Also known as – St Gerold of Cremona. The image is the only one available but has no explanation accompanying it.
Gerold was born in Cologne. a City also a destination for pilgrimages, for the devotion of Saint Ursula and her fabulous eleven thousand companions and for the Relics of the Three Kings, preserved in the famous Cathedral which is, itself, a destination of pilgrims.
Gerold was, so to speak, a professional pilgrim, who progressively extended the scope of his journeys which became increasingly longer and more difficult, in pursuit of sanctity and perfection.
He was in Rome, travelling along the road to pray in the Basilicas and venerate the linen of Veronica. He arrived at St James of Compostella, staff in hand and shell on his chest, to pay homage to the “baron” of Galicia, St James. Finally, he set sail, holding the palm, for the distant Holy Land, the land of the Lord.
Those who went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem made a will before leaving home because the chances of returning were rather slim. Our saint, however, was among those who returned from the East to Italy. But for him, the most dangerous road was much nearer home. In 1241, while crossing the Alps into what is now Italy, he was attacked by robbers, who left him to die. The remains were collected by some passers-by and taken to Cremona, where the cult for the devout pilgrim was ignited by the veneration paid the holy man and the miracles granted by his intercession.
AnaStpaul 