Many saints were fond of birds and animals. St. Francis of Assisi was the most noted nature and animal lover among the thousands of saints. Here is a saint who loved ducks and birds very much. St Colman O’Ficra, a Catholic saint who lived in the 7th century and founded a monastery on what is now St Colman’s Church in Templeshanbo, County Wexford.
There is a large pond supplied with water from the well situated between two graveyards of the monastery. For many years after St Colman’s death, some ducks lived on the pond and were believed to be under the saint’s special protection. The Saint had been fond of birds, and ducks were his favorites. The ducks were treated with great affection and tenderness, so much so that they became very tame and would even take food directly from the hands of the pilgrims who visited.
According to the legend, these ducks were under the protection of the Saint and any of the villagers would dare to even disturb them. However, because the ducks were so tame, someone fetching water from the pond on a night would occasionally head home with rather more than they’d bargained on. Without realizing it, they’d throw the contents of the vessel, bird and all, into a pot over a fire for boiling. But no matter how long the fire burned, or how much wood was added to it, the water stayed stone cold. Upon further inspection, the duck would be discovered swimming about in the pot and returned to the pond none the worse for its experience, at which point the pot would heat and the water boil without further delay.
If you have birds, ducks, and hens, you can pray to this Saint to protect them from external attacks and diseases. The Catholic Church celebrates his feast day is on 27 October, every year.