Tales from Byrdland

William Guadalupe The Patron Saint of Sunflowers, Birdsongs, and the Broken-hearted

The Legend of William Guadalupe

The Patron Saint of Sunflowers, Birdsongs, and the Broken-hearted

William Guadalupe was born a farmer’s son to a Mexican father and an Irish mother.  As a young boy, he was drawn to playing in the fields learning the songs of birds.

One year, a terrible drought came to the village.  The crops withered and the livestock grew thin.  Little Billy heard his mother crying through the kitchen window. He went out into the fields and prayed. He raised his voice and his prayers became birdsongs.  Hearing the call, hundreds of birds gathered in a swell.  They swooped up and pierced the heavy clouds with their beaks releasing the rain all over the land.

William Guadalupe followed a monastic life where he worked in the sunflower fields.  When he delivered his flowers to the market, he was followed by his constant companion, Bird.  William would ride through the villages on his bicycle throwing out flowers singing, “Wake up!”.

William Guadalupe lived a long life and was a beloved monk.  Today, it is said, one can hear birds flying through the villages singing his songs of joy.

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