Mary in Monmouth: Some Enchanting Welsh Holy Wells around Brecon, Cantref, Maen Ddu, Priory Well

PODCAST IMMINENT OF THE VISIT OF THE RELICS TO CARDIFF

I took recordings of the various Masses and liturgies in the Church as the relics were being received in Cardiff on Tueday and have only lightly edited them. I was doubly glad so many people, who were not able to get in and hear the service of reception and so forth will have the possibility of listening to the Masses for Priests and Vocations, Evangelisation, and personal sanctity, Angelus, Rosary , Litany and Benediction. It was extremely crowded, but I think it captures all the excitement of that day when thousands descended on Cardiff, clapped the little saint for her Christian witness and brought her candles, red roses and many other flowers, incense and beautiful music at the evening Mass.People streamed in until the Cathedral closed at Midnight, and devotions continued all evening, with people praying for conversion of sinners, confessions, praying for priests and praying that all would accept Jesus as their personal friend and Saviour. A Mediaeval style day none will forget. And Bravo to the superb organist!

DO YOU KNOW WHY BISHOPS WEAR POINTY HATS CALLED MITRES?

Truth about Relics

Relics have often been a stumbling block for people trying to understand the church. It is no different than keeping a special photo, item or clothing etc from a loved one when they have passed on. Kissing a picture or reverencing it, lighting a candle next to it or putting a poppy by it on remembrance day, just brings them alive again to you, shows them honour and respect. In the case of relics, if you can ask a living person to pray for you, then we can ask the souls who have made it to heaven to pray for us too, Having a small item which has actually touched their body or even a part of that body brings them especially close to them. The Holy Spirit has completely infused their body, So you ask this person to add their prayers to yours up above, and sometimes there are miracles as a result, although it is the prayer to Almighty God that works the miracle if there is to be one and it is his Will.

Hello! The first ten pictures

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Some Enchanting Welsh Holy Wells around Brecon, Cantref, Maen Ddu, Priory Well

St Cynydr's Well, Cantref Church

National Grid Reference SO0533924929.
The Holy Well at Cantref Church, which was originally dedicated to Ecclesia Sancti Kenedri de Kantreff in the 1541 Harley Charter III D3, was therefore dedicated to St Cynydr, said to have been the grandson of Brychan through Ceingair , daughter of the saint., although it also seems through the Cotten MS Domition 1) Gwynlliw (St 'Woolos' of Newport) was his father, through the line of St Gwladys, Gwynlliw's wife..Most of their children became holy saints and built llans and churches. Cynydr seems to have been drawn to work in his mother's land and many churches and wells commemorate him there. Going into the church, turn right around the tower and walk down the small path to the well. Not an easy walk !

St Brynach was Brychan Brycheiniog's (King of Brecon's) priest. This well had healing properties and is maintained.There seems to have been a familial link between St Brynach and St Cynydr.

St Cynydr's Well, Cantref

Maen Ddu well in Brecon is maintained by CADW and lies in a beautiful little fairy like dell, at the centre of a former llan, it has a round circular shape and there is an imprint of a round possible bathing pool further down .

The Water in Maen ddu-(Black Rock) the stones and sticks in here were disappointing.

The well in the picturesque glade. The footpath from the small car park is maintained by CADW and also and easy walk.

The Priory Well in Brecon is damaged and overgrown and its remains lie next to the main road on the opposite side to the former Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, now Brecon Anglican Cathedral..

A weekend in Brecon was a very interesting time, reasearching King Brychan, visiting Talgarth (Garth Madrun) reputed lands of Joseph of Arimathea and visiting these wells, some of which were spectaular and some were disappointing, such as the Priory Well. I will post on the places we viited seperately as we visited St Brynach's own Llan at Llanfrynach as well! The weather was challenging, and I have already posted bout the Cathedral, but also have information about St Mary's Brecon, which now boasts a state of the art restaurant!!!!