Saint Walter of Pontoise was a professor of philosophy and rhetoric, and later became a Benedictine monk. King Philip, noticing his talent, appointed him the first abbot of a new monastery in Pontoise against his will. Walter could not deal with the stress of disciplining the corrupt priests and fled Pontoise on several occasions, even appealing to the Pope, but was forced to return. He preached against the abuses and corruption of the clergy, for which he was beaten and imprisoned. Eventually released, he continued his work and died on Good Friday.
