Beuno the Wonderworker

Our venerable father among the saints, Beuno the Wonderworker, Abbot of Clynnog (d. 640) is commemorated by the church April 21

Life

Beuno was born in Powys, supposedly at Berriew, the grandson of a prince of that realm. After education and ordination in the monastery of Bangor-on-Dee in north-east Wales, he became an active missionary, Cadfan, King of Gwynedd, being his generous benefactor.

Cadwallon, Cadfan's son and successor, deceived Beuno about some land, and when the saint demanded justice, Cadwallon proved unsympathetic. Thereupon, Cadwallon's cousin Gwyddaint, in reparation, "gave to God and Beuno forever his township" of Clynnog Fawr, where the saint founded the famous abbey.

Beuno became the guardian and restorer to life of his niece, the virgin Saint Winefride. He was relentless with hardened sinners, but full of compassion to those in distress. Before his death "on the seventh day of Easter" he had a wondrous vision.

Sources

• St Beuno, from the Archdiocese of Thyateria website.