St. Cataldus was a scholar, born ca. 500 AD at Rathan in Mamonia, Ireland near the great monastery of Lismore. Inspired with missionary zeal at a young age, he went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On his return he was shipwrecked on Tarentum at the heel of Italy. He preached fervently to the local people and worked many miracles, thus bringing them all to repentance. He is now the patron saint of the place. Cataldus is attributed with this prophecy:

"The Great Monarch will be in war till he is forty years of age; a king of the House of Lily, he will assemble great armies and expel tyrants from his empire. He will conquer England and other island empires. Greece he will invade and be made king thereof. Colchis, Cyprus, the Turks and barbarians he will subdue and have all men worship the Crucified one. He will at length lay down his crown in Jerusalem."