Saint Bobo

Saint Bobo of Provence (French: Beuvon or Bobon, Italian: Bovo or Bobone; died 986) was a Frankish warrior and pilgrim from Noyers (Noghiers).^[1] He is known only from the anonymous biography Vita sancti Bobonis.^[2] He built a castle on a hill opposite the Muslim fortress of Fraxinet and led the Christians of Provence to victory in battle with the Muslims in an unknown year.^[3] During the battle he had a mystical experience and vowed, if victorious, to renounce war and become a pilgrim devoted to the care of orphans and widows.^[2] After the loss of his brother, he went on pilgrimage to Rome and died at Voghera in Lombardy.^[4] Bobo is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. His feast day is May 22 and he is the patron saint of cattle.^[5]

Fresco in Oratorio di Santa Maria, Garbagna Novarese, Italy (15th century)