TODAY'S SAINT (Gildas the Wise)

GILDADS THE WISE

ABBOT

Born about 500 in the Valley ot the Clyde, St. Gildas is a very celebrated teacher and the first British historian. The facts of his life are rather uncertain. According to the earliest version we possess, he was forced to flee to Wales, where he married and, after his wife's death, became a pupil of St. Illtyd. arter spending some time in Ireland, he made a pilgrimage to Rome about 520 and founded a religious house at Ruys in Brittany on his way back, reaching Wales in 527. Later he visited Ruys and Ireland again and died at Ruys on January 29, 570, surrounded by his disciples.

St. Gildas wrote a famous history condemning British vice, which is the only history of the Celts. It covers the period from the coming of the Romans to Gildas' own time, but its purpose is more hortatory than strictly historical. Hence, it may have taken an exaggerated view of the evils of its times. St. Gildas also wrote some penitential canons.

PRAYER

Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly

committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of

evangelical perfection which You have given us in St. Gildas.

Amen.