Saint William of Vercelli: Patron Saint of Irpinia

Our journey to discover the places of worship and more of our magnificent Irpinia must begin with a visit to the Patron Saint, Saint William of Vercelli, also known as Saint William of Montevergine.

The “Miracle of the Wolf”

Just looking at the statue of the Saint is enough to understand his connection to our region: he is depicted with a wolf near his legs.

The “Miracle of the Wolf” is one of the most famous miracles of Saint William of Vercelli, who tamed a wolf after it had mauled his donkey, his only means of transportation.

A New Congregation

It’s easy to encounter a wolf when you choose to live as a hermit for a year on the mountain of Montevergine.

Here, William was later joined by other men and priests, attracted by his hermit life, and he founded the Benedictine Congregation of Montevergine, which also had to care for the numerous faithful who began to flock to the small church consecrated in 1124.

The Wanderings of Saint William

A few years later, he entrusted his community to the monk Alberto (who would later become blessed) and continued his wanderings between Lucania and Irpinia, until he reached Goleto, where he founded a new community, a new monastery that welcomes both monks and nuns.

Numerous monasteries were founded between Puglia and Campania, but it was in the Abbazia del Goleto that he settled and where he died in 1142.

The Way of Saint William

His community immediately began to venerate him as a saint, and his remains were later transferred to the monastery of Montevergine, where they remain today. Pope Pius XII declared him patron saint of Irpinia.

His wanderings between Irpinia, Lucania, and Puglia led him to travel many kilometers, and in his footsteps the Way of Saint William was born, thanks to which we can appreciate our Irpinia, rich in faith and mystery.