St. Walfrid

St. Walfrid, also known as Galfrido della Gherardesca, was born in Pisa, where he became a respected and prosperous citizen. He was deeply devoted to his wife, Thesia, and together they were blessed with five sons and at least one daughter. Though they lived comfortably in the world, both felt a growing call to dedicate themselves entirely to God.

Walfrid shared this desire with two close friends: his kinsman Gunduald and a man named Fortis from Corsica. All three longed for a deeper life of prayer and monastic discipline. After prayerful discernment, and guided by a dream, they chose Monte Verde, between Volterra and Piombino, as the site for their monastery. They embraced the Benedictine Rule of Monte Cassino and founded the Abbey of Palazzuolo.

Not far away, they established a convent for women, where their wives and Walfrid's daughter, Rattruda, consecrated themselves to God. The monastery quickly flourished, eventually housing sixty monks, including Walfrid's beloved son Gimfrid and Gunduald's son Andrew, who later became the third abbot and wrote his father's biography.

Gimfrid was ordained a priest, but during a moment of weakness he fled the monastery, taking men, horses, and important documents. Walfrid was heartbroken. Gathering his monks, he prayed fervently for his son's repentance and return, asking God to give Gimfrid a lasting sign as both reminder and warning. On the third day, Gimfrid was found and brought back repentant, his right middle finger permanently injured, a mark he bore for life.

St. Walfrid governed the abbey with wisdom and holiness for ten years. After his death, he was succeeded by Gimfrid, who, despite his earlier fall, became, according to Andrew, a faithful and virtuous abbot.

The Church confirmed St. Walfrid's cultus in 1861. His feast day is celebrated on February 15.