Saint Sampson, Bishop of Dol (born 485, died 28th July 565) |
Feast day: 28th July St. Sampson was the son of a Welsh Chieftain who became Abbot of Caldey Island near Tenby and visited Ireland before being ordained a Bishop by St. Dubricius. |
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At Easter time St. Sampson saw an angelic vision who told him to leave the country and cross the sea. Travelling with three cousins and other friends he crossed Cornwall, coming to a monastery at Lau Docco and then on to Fowey. Wherever he went he was said to have 'by God, given sight to the blind, healed many lepers, cast out devils and saved many wandering in error'. |
Fowey Photograph FreeFoto.com |
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Passing through the Hundred of Trigg he came across a group of people worshipping an idol with music and dancing. He converted them to Christianity through his words and a miraculous healing and they were all baptised. His biographer wrote about the place where it happened. 'On this hill I have myself stood, and worshipped; with my fingers I have traced the sign of the cross which Saint Samson by his own hand carved with an iron tool on a standing stone'. Saint Sampson stayed there some time, living in a cave from which a spring of water flowed. He started a monastery there, which he left in the care of his father. He travelled on to Brittany, where he founded another monastery and church, which became the Cathedral of Dol. |
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