St. Walter of Pontnoise

Walter of Pontnoise is also called Walter Gautier. He was born in France in the eleventh century. He became a professor of rhetoric and philosophy and then joined the Benedictines. King Philip I made him abbot of Pontnoise against his will. Walter left the monastery several times to escape this honor and finally took his case to the pope. Pope Gregory VII refused to accept his resignation and told him to go home and serve as abbot. Walter obeyed the pope. As abbot he sought to reform the lax lives lived by some of his monks. Some corrupt men attacked and beat him, going so far as to imprison him, but when he was released he renewed his work with great vigor. He often spent entire nights before the Blessed Sacrament, praying for the strength and wisdom to do his work well. Walter of Pontnoise died on Good Friday 1099. His feast is February 17. He is the patron of prisoners, especially prisoners of war and of vintners.