Church of St Wenn, Cornwall
On the eighteenth of October we venerate Saint Gwen [also Wenn or Wenna], another of the prolific and holy brood of Brychan Brycheiniog. Born in South Wales, she moved to Cornwall and became an anchoress. She is commonly confused with the Breton Saint Gwen ‘the Three-Breasted’, and with Gwen ferch Cynyr Ceinfarfog the mother of Saint Cybi Felyn. This is somewhat understandable, as all three Gwens are saints connected with Cornwall – but it is still an error to be avoided.
We know very little of Saint Gwen’s short life. She was born in 463 in Talgarth, in the British kingdom of Powys. She did move to Cornwall with, or shortly after, her brother Saint Nectan did, and established several churches both there and in Devon, including St Wenn in Bodmin, St Kew and Cheristow. She and Nectan were apparently very close as siblings, and she chose to live close by Nectan’s hermitage.
Gwen was compelled to visit again her home of Talgarth in 492, which was under attack by the West Saxons, who were yet heathen and unenlightened by the true faith. She was discovered by the Saxons and put to the sword on the eighteenth of October that year, thus earning a martyr’s crown at the age of twenty-nine. Holy martyr Gwen, pray to Christ our God for us sinners!
O Brychan’s jewel and holy daughter, most pious Gwen,
Thou didst defy the heathen Saxons, thereby winning a martyr’s crown.
Being, therefore, numbered among the saints,
Intercede for us before the Throne of Grace,
That we may be granted great mercy.
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