28th February - Sant Ruelin

Ruelin (aka Rivelen/Rivelin) immigrated to Brittany from (Greater) Britain around the year 540 C.E. He was a disciple of Tugdal (aka Tudwal/Tudal (30th November), whom he succeeded as Bishop of Tréguier. The priests of Tugdal's chapter would have preferred Pergat, the canon and arch-priest, but a synod was held at Lexobie, which Tugdal attended. Pergat withdrew his claim, ending his days in penance at Pouldouran, and Ruelin was duly appointed. Ruelin also built a hermitage, later transformed into a monastery, at Moustoir, in the parish of Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Finistere.

The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain;

and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.

Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you

and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

Matthew 5.1-12

25th February: Sant Roparzh

Roparzh (aka Robert d'Arbrissel) was born around 1045 at Arbrissel, near Retiers, Brittany, the son of Domalioch, a parish priest, and Orguende. Married clergy were not uncommon prior to the Gregorian reform (1050-1080). Roparzh studied under Anselm of Laon in Paris, returning home sometime before 1076.

In 1078, having supported Bishop Sylvester de la Guerche, who was deposed by Pope Gregory VII, he was compelled to leave the diocese (of Rennes), and returned to Paris, until recalled by the then re-instated Bishop Sylvester, to whom he served as 'arch-priest', involved in the administration of the diocese, attempting to introduce reforms, which are said to have provoked the antagonism of other Breton clergy.

After the Bishop's death around 1093, Roparzh moved to the Angers area, becoming a penitential hermit in the forest of Craon, noted for his piety, eloquence and asceticism. Attracting many followers, he founded the monastery of la Roe, becoming its first abbot, and being appointed by Pope Urban II as an apostolic missionary, authorised to preach anywhere.

Roparzh's popularity led to large numbers of people entering the Abbey of la Roe as postulants, but the canons there objected to both their numbers and their diversity. Roparzh resigned his abbacy and, in 1099, founded the monastery of Fontevrault, appointing Herlande of Champagne (related to the Duke of Brittany) as abbess and Petronilla, Baroness of Chemille, as her assistant.

The abbey followed the Rule of St. Benedict, and is said to have included 'meretrices' - former prostitutes. One of the houses of the abbey was dedicated to Mary Magdalene, wrongly believed at the time to have been a prostitute. Roparzh was also condemned by fellow clergy for his practice of 'syneisaktism' - the undertaking of 'spiritual marriage' in which a man and a woman who have both taken vows of chastity live together in a chaste and non-legalised partnership.

Roparzh continued his missionary journeys throughout western France until his death in 1116 at the priory of Fontevrault in Orsan. The only surviving writing of Roparzh is a letter of exhortation to Ermengarde of Brittany, a patron of Fontevraud Abbey.

A Prayer by Saint Benedict for Seekers of Faith

Gracious and Holy Father,

give us the wisdom to discover You,

the intelligence to understand You,

the diligence to seek after You,

the patience to wait for You,

eyes to behold You,

a heart to meditate upon You,

and a life to proclaim You,

through the power of the Spirit of Jesus, our Lord.

Amen.

21st February: Santez Gwenn

February 21st - Santez Gwenn

(aka Gwen, Leigh, Mary, or Blanche - her name Gwenn means 'white')

Gwenn was a fifth century Welsh woman, and the wife of St. Fragan. Their first two sons, the twins Guethenoc/Vennec and Jagu/Jacut were born in Wales, and their third son (Guenole) was born shortly after they arrived in Brittany, around the year 460, on the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. Legend has it that God granted her a third breast, in order to feed all three babies at once, hence her nickname 'Teir Bronn' (Breton for 'three breasts'). The family was completed with a daughter, Clervie. Gwenn is venerated as the protector of children and mothers.

God our Creator, mother and father of us all,

we pray for new parents, coming to terms with new responsibility;
and for expectant parents, wondering and waiting;

we pray for those who are tired, stressed or depressed,
and for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;

we pray for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty,
and for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;

we pray for those who have children they do not want,
and for those who raise children on their own;

we pray for those who have lost a child,
and for those who care for the children of others;

we pray for those whose children have left home,
and for those whose desire to be a parent has not been fulfilled.

Bless all parents, and all who offer parental care,

that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.

12th February - Sant Riog

February 12th - Sant Riog (aka Rioc/Riok)

Riog is believed to have been the son of Count Elorn, whose castle was on the banks of the river later known as the Elorn, near la Roche Maurice, north east of Brest in Finistere.

The story goes that the two year old Riog was saved from the clutches of a dragon (which required a child to be sacrificed every week) by two British knights, Derrien and Neventer, returning from the Holy Land. It is said that Derrien subdued the dragon by making the sign of the cross, wrapping his stole around its neck, and leading it to the coast of Plouneour-Trez, where it vanished into the sea. In gratitude, the Count, his wife, and his son converted to Christianity and built the church of Plouneventer (a few miles north of la Roche Maurice).

After the death of his mother, Riog moved to Camaret (south of Brest, across the estuary) where he lived as a hermit for 41 years. Guenole, abbot of Landevennec, then requested Riog to move to the abbey, some miles to the east, on the estuary of the Faou river, where he ended his days.

Riog was declared 'holy' by St. Budoc (third Archbishop of Dol-de-Bretagne & Metropolitan of Brittany) in 633.

A Dragon's Prayer

O Lord, who made the dragon, and the dragon's open sky,
and gave to me a dragon's soul; a dragon's urge to fly:
let me dance within your cloudscapes far beyond Earth's chain,
let me rejoice in my grandeur, let me not grow vain!
Let me vindicate my honour with my fang and claw,
let my raging heart show mercy, let that show no flaw!
Let me have the joy of all the shining gold I've stored,
let no pauper-dragon go forth starving from my hoard.
And, Lord, should the need arise and I be called to fight,
Dragon-Maker, make me victor, and God help that knight!

Dr. Thomas Venturer

9th February: Sant Teliau

February 9th - Sant Teliau (aka Teilo, Telo, Theleau, Eliud, Eliau, and Eilliau!)

Teliau was born at Penalun/Penally, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, around the year 500, the son of Issel, and uncle of Ismael and Euddogwy (all Welsh saints). Some sources claim he was the grandson of Ceredig, son of Cunedda, and thus a member of the royal family of Gwynedd. He is also reputed to be a cousin, friend and disciple of St. David.

In the 540s, when the yellow plague was affecting Britain, Teliau and a group of his monks moved to Brittany, and are reported to have stayed here for seven years and seven months. During this time they travelled through the region, were entertained by King Geraint, and joined Samson of Dol at Dol-de-Bretage (near St. Malo). The orchards there are known as the Groves of Teilo and Samson. Teliau subsequently returned to Llandeilo Fawr (in Wales) and succeeded Dubricius as Bishop of Llandaff. He died in 560, and his tomb is at Llandaff Cathedral. Relics are also venerated at Landeleau and Plogonnac (Finistere).

Teliau is often represented in Breton churches, including that at Carnoet, riding a stag, the animal which, for the Celts, symbolises life after death.

The Deer's Cry

(aka St. Patrick's Breastplate)

I arise today through the strength of heaven,

light of sun, radiance of moon,

splendour of fire, speed of lightning,

swiftness of wind, depth of the sea,

stability of earth, firmness of rock.

I arise today through God's strength to pilot me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me

from all who shall wish me ill,

afar and a-near, alone and in a multitude,

against every cruel, merciless power

that may oppose my body and soul.

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me, Christ in me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.

Thus I arise today.

8th February: Sant Jacut

February 8th - Sant Jacut (aka Jago/Jagu)

Jacut of Landoac was born in the 5th century in Wales, the son of Fragan and Gwenn. His twin brother was Guethenoc (aka Weithnoc), their younger brother was Guenole and their sister was Clervie.

The family fled from the Saxons and took refuge in Armorica, landing in the Bay of St. Brieuc, at a place which would become Ploufragan. All three brothers were disciples of St. Budoc (see 8th December - to come!), and Jacut became an itinerant monk. He was buried in the church of the monastery built by his brothers, now the Abbey of St. Jacut.

Four hundred years later, around 878, the monks fled from the Vikings into inland Brittany, taking with them the relics of their saint: the bones of Jacut's arms. This translation of relics is celebrated by churches dedicated to Jacut on 5th July.

Statue of Santez Gwenn, with her three sons:

Gwenole in her arms, Guethenoc to her right, and Jacut to her left

Prayer of the Itinerant

God, heavenly father, eternal spirit, fountain of light,
I thank you for giving me another day to live and light to see.
Since you have seen it good to give me life today,
do not abandon me, do not forsake me,
but be with me as I walk the path laid out for me.

Be behind me as my protector, be before me as my guide,
be beside as my companion, and be above me as my God.

Shed your light on my path that I may see where I go.
Lighten the burden on my shoulders that I may go without hesitation.
Enlighten my heart that I may go with fortitude,

courage, and wisdom wherever I may be.

Grant that I may not err, wander,

or stray from my path at any place or at any time.
Grant that I may always make progress on my path

each and every day,

no matter how little, no matter how slowly,
that I may one day accomplish my true will and destination.
Grant that if anyone walks on my path,

that I may walk with them

in a spirit of perfect brotherhood and fellowship.

(The Digital Ambler, 2011)