View source for Samson of Dol

'''Samson of Dol''' was a [[bishop]] who became one of the greatest [[missionary|missionaries]] of the sixth century in western Europe, evangelizing for [[Christ]] in Ireland, Cornwall, Channel Islands, and Brittany. His [[feast day]] is [[July 28]]. 

==Life==
St. Samson was born of noble blood in Wales, the son of Amon of Dyfed and Anna of Gwent, about the year 590. As part of a prophecy concerning his birth, his parents placed him under the care of St.Illtud, [[abbot]] of Llantwit, to become a [[monk]]. He received [[ordination]] as [[deacon]] and [[priest]] from Bp. [[Dubricius of Caerleon|Dubricius]]. He later became abbot of the [[monastery]] on Caldey Island. There he was joined by his father Amon and uncle Umbrafel. After a visit to Ireland, Samson became a [[hermit]] with Amon whom he had cured of a mortal illness.

While visiting Cornwall, Samson was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] bishop by Bp. Dubricius on [[February 22]], 521, but without appointment to a particular [[see]]. Also, in Cornwall, he founded a monastery, of which he was abbot. From Cornwall, Samson began his missionary travels, visiting the Channel Islands and then Brittany where he founded a monastery at Dol and spent the remainder of his life. In Brittany, he became active in Breton politics, taking part in the excommunication of King Conomor, who had murdered Prince Jonas father of Prince Judwal, and petitioning King Childebert I of Paris on behalf of King Judwal for recovery of his inheritance.

Bp. Samson died July 28, 565 in Dol-de-Bretagne and was buried in the Cathedral of Dol with his cousin Magloire. One of the foremost missionaries of his century, St. Samson has long been [[veneration|venerated]] in Wales and Brittany.

==Sources==
*[http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/saintss.htm Samson (Sampson) July 28]
*[[Wikipedia:Samson_of_Dol]]
*[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2439  St. Samson]
*[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/St._Samson  Catholic Encyclopedia (1913): St. Samson]
==External link==
*[http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/judwaldo.html  Judwal, Prince of Domnonée]

[[Category: Bishops]]
[[Category:6th-century bishops]]
[[Category: Monastics]]
[[Category: Pre-Schism Western Saints]]
[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category: Saints of the British Isles]]
[[Category: 6th-century saints]]