I just took a crawl through the kalendar of the Sarum Breviary (I know—a modern one…). Of the confessors listed, there are precisely two who are not listed as either bishops, archbishops, popes or abbots:
- Petrocii Conf. (June 4th) concerning whom I’ve been able to find no data (and who isn’t in the Warren edition of the Missal).
- Translatio S. Edwardi regis et confessoris, inferius duplex, ix. lectiones. (Oct 13) Royalty—not clergy.
Jerome is an odd case. He’s listed as: Hieronymi presbyteri et doctoris, festum inferius duplex, ix lectiones. He’s the only “doctor” present so theoretically he ought to be considered a Confessor as well.
There’s only one saint in the Sarum kalendar designated as “presbyteri” with no other qualifications and that’s the memorial of Eusebii presbyteri. (Aug 14) whose status is questionable. This Eusebius was a priest of Rome who may be a confessor or may be a martyr—it’s unclear. In any case, he is the only “presbyterus” in the Sarum kalendar who’s not a martyr.
So—while in theory the Confessor category included all non-apostle/martyr/virgin/monks, functionally speaking it was for bishops and abbots.
Derek:
Petrocius is Petroc. Here is this from brtannia.com:
“Petroc Baladrddellt, King of Dumnonia (born c.600)
(Welsh-Pedrog, Latin-Petrocius, English-Petrock)
“King Petroc, called “Splintered Spear”, is recorded in the Trioedd ynys Prydein or “Triads of the Island of Britain” as one of the three just knights of the realm. He was a great warrior, whom legend has made one of the few to survive the Battle of Camlann (though he would have actually lived somewhat later). According to the Bonedd y Saint or “Genealogies of the Saints,” Petroc the son of Clemen was a saintly man. However, if he existed, it would appear he may have been confused with the patron of Cornwall, St. Petroc of Bodmin. Petroc Baladrddellt is said to have died at Y Ferwig in Ceredigion.
“Generally considered legendary.”
So, apparently he WAS a king
OR, more probably, he was the sixth century Welsh monk and founder of a monastery at Padstow and another at Bodwin Moor. HIS feast day IS June 4.