Saints of Newport-Children of Gwynlliw-St Maches of LLANVACHES St Cynydir, St Bugi

This beautiful stained glass window is to be found in St Dubricius (Dyfrig's)Church at Llanvaches (The-Holy-Place-of Maches) Curiously earlier known as Merthyr Maches.This Church is not dedicated to Maches, because it was actually founded by St Tatheus is memory of her. It is to be found north of the A40 road going from Newport to Chepstow.Interestingly, the tower also contains a beehive.The presnt Church is Norman, but is now quite plain, although very ancient. Nearby is the oldest non-conformist Chapel anywhere, actually on the Chepstow Road, near the turn off to Llanvaches. The pastor of this church was a former Vicar of Llanfaches church who had left because of his doctrinal differences. He had, however stripped all sacramentals of Catholic interest out of the church which have left it quite plain. Its antiquity is undeniable, however, and the stained glass window showing St Maches very beautiful.
I was told bypeople in the church, who were preparing it for a wedding, that Maches was actually killed a bit further away under a tree commemorating the murder near the village pub. Testained glass window of Maches is to be found in the church of her father, St Gwynlliw (Woolos the Warrier) in Newport, and the image next to her is of Gwynlliw Farfog (Gwynlliw the Bearded) the pirate himself. The other images are of the altar (a) and nave(b) to the tower of St Dubricius Church, Llanvaches.The Latin form of her name is 'Machuta'




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Gwaldys, saintly daughter of King Brychan Brycheiniog after which Brecon is named.She was married to Gwynlliw the Pirate.They soon had a son, the famous Saint Cadoc the Wise. To celebrate his son's birth Gwynllyw went on another raid stealing cattle from Tatheus at Caerwent. When Saint Tatheus came courageously to demand the return of a cow, the King was so impressed he decided in return to send his son to Tathyw at Caerwent to be educated. Gwynllyw supposedly had other children also saints Cynidr,Maches, Bugi and Egwine.

We have heard about Gwynlliw and Gwladys and there was a whole podcast about St Tatheus (Tathwyn) of Caerwent, the famous Irish educator, and grandson of King Meurig of Gwent, King Tewdrig's son and benefactor of Caerwent College. He was succeeded by Maegwyn educated at Caerleon. When her brother was so impressed with Tatheus and begged to go back to the monastery with him, they often all talked about the things which Tatheus had told them. They were told about the Scriptures, the Apostles and Church and the Holy Wafer, which would bring them Christ, also how St Peter had organised the church, according to Christ's instruction. Even then there were severe fines for dropping the Eucharist on the floor. Maches was obverjoyed to hear the Good News -that Life is unending, death is not an end, but a beginning. She began to yearn , like her mother for the ife of a religious, or hermit. It was decided she was as yet too young and shoulod study when she came of age. In recompense Tatheus gave her a small farm near Caerwent, where she could study and pray and look after the sheep as well.She tended some of the beasts of particularly a valuable three year old ram.While she kept te sheep and lived tranquilly and in a most holy way. However two brothers who were thieves arrived in her little settlement. This was in the area of what is now the small hamlet of Llanvachesa small hamlet just north of the pub in Llanvaches, north ofthe A4 from Newport to Chepstow. Maches the young giel was dragged protesting in the forest and they decided to silence her, rather than let her talk. They bent her over and beheaded her. They also killed the stolen ram and took it home. The sheep wandered back to Caerwent by themselves and st Tathwyn was worried because the flock hed returend without her.He and Cadoc her brother grieved tremendously with Cadoc and Gwynlliw and Gwladys and prayed for help.
On the first night, they wondered what hade become of her, when she did not visit her parents. The two murderers became wracked with remorse and came to the monastery to do confession. They found the church and Tatheus said they should confess their sin for fear of their immortal souls and do penance. A search party including Tatheus found the body of the martyred girl. .A churh was built on the site near her martyrdom and although she is commemorated inside, the dedication is to their bishop, St Dyfrig -Dubricius. Maches was carried back to Caerwent to be buried. to the great grief of parents and the court.A sad story this. The sorrowing Tatheus, who blamed himself had her body brought back to Caerwent, where she was buried and where she bacame a saint because she was a martyr. Her relics are still at St Stephen's Church in Caerwent.
Maches is aommemorated i beautiful stained glass windows at St Woolos (Gwynlliw's) cathedral in Newport. All mourned beautiful Maches whose life had been 'snuffed out' at a vary early age and wom Gd ad taken to be one of his own.

CYNYDIR a son of Gwynlliw.

Although Cynidir no longer has a church dedicated to him in Herefordshire, Kenderchurch preserves his name (the church here is now dedicated to St Mary). Cynidir, like Clydawg, was the grandson of the King of Brycheiniog and founded several churches in Breconshire, including Glasbury, where he was buried.
P340 Married Goleu daughter of Brychan for wife.

Cynidir established a hermitage on an island in the river Wye near Winforton (only 9 miles down river from Glasbury). In 1675 Blount wrote that 'Walter, a Canon of Wormsley Priory, betook himself to an Life of a hermit in a little island on upon the river Wey (sic)... wherein he built a Chappel (sic) dedicated deo beatae Mariae, beato Kenedro - .
Vita Cadoci

Dispute between Saint Cadoc and King Arthur

All assembled when the sone of Elliman offended king Arthrwys and took sanctuary with Cadoc who did not fear Arthwys-He thought 'Fear not those who kill the body as they canot hkill the soul'. Cadoc hid the sons for seven years in Gwent. They were then betrayed to King Arthur by someone and Arthur came o the River Usk with a large force with the idea of laying a legal claim because he did not dare to violate the sanctuary of Cadoc. St David, St Teilo and St Oudoceus agreed to be judges, and Cynydir a Son or grandson of Brychan and brother of Cadoc met together on the banks of the Usk. They disputed for a time and then the judges agreed that Arthur should receive 3 oxen for every one of this three dead men-others fixed that one hundred cows should be given and Arthur would only accept those with a certain colouring. A miracle occurred when they magically turned into the correct colours. When Bedwr and Kai tried to drive them through the water thaey became ferns and the village became known as the Town of Ferns Trefredinauc, possibly Tredunnock, which also contains the relics of St Julian. Cynydir seems to have formed a monastery on the Wye and near Brecon, probably because he was close to his mother's family and the land there much more beautiful and remote (see location above)






Egwine

There is little about Egwine. He either became a warrior and looked after the Kingdom for his father and brother, as we have no special details about him, perhaps he did not embrace a saintly career.He may, however, as a younger son have simply joined his brother's monastery. There are no records of a marriage.

Bugi

Bugi, another son of Gwynlliw was also obviously grandson of Brychan and was offered land on which to live in Powys. He married Beren, daughter of Llawden. The records said they lived quietly and were inoffensive to all and their lives were virtuous, They kept the commandments of God in all ways as far as they were able and no one ever accused them of anything. They had no son to be their heir and were in their forties and they no longer had relations, as they had passed the greater part of their lives. One evening they were sitting and talking when an angel came and told them they would have a son if they slept together.He said 'Be merry and joyful for God has heard your prayer. The angel said ' tonight your wife will become with child if you sleep with her and from that pregnancy a son will be born to thee and he will be honourable with respect to God and man'. Indeed nine months later a child was born to them. He was baptised locally and the Child's name was Beino-also a child who became a great saint. When Beuno was old enough, they sent him to Tatheus school at Caerwent, although Tatheus had died by then and was replaced by Tangusius, a former scribe and great teacher at Caerleon College.He learned the Holy Scripture and the Sacraments and the Rules of the Church(Canon Law). St Beino grew up, albeit moved to North Wales.Beuno was important in the Life of St Winefriede of Wales. near Holywell in Fflint.Since St Winifride's (Gwenfrewi)Well (Holy-well) was a major place of pilgrimage fro people all over Wales (and later by Saxons, because the Benedictines of Shrewsbury removed some of her remains from Gwytherin to Shrewsbury Abbey-see the ITV series of 'Cadfael'-A Morbid Case for Bones) I will deal with her a bit later on.During the times of persecution even in the sixteenth century the money collected at St Winefrides was so plentiful, Henry's Commissioners left it alone, and it is one of the few mediaeval pilgrimage sites left in Britain. It is still, with Our Lady of the Taper in Cardigan, and possibly now Our LAdy St Mary of Tintern one of the three important shrines in Wales

It is said that Ynyr Gwent himself, in his old age, granted Beuno lands in Ewyas (North Gwent) and that Ynyr became his disciple. This is now Llanfeuno, a chapelry under Clodock, near Longtown in Herefordshire. Whilst there, Beuno heard that his father,Bugi, was ill so he committed his foundation in Ewyas to three of his disciples, and hurried back to Powys, where, "his father, after receiving the Eucharist, making his confession and rendering his end perfect, departed this life." Beuno made founded a monastery there and planted an acorn by his father's grave. It grew into a mighty tree of which one branch curved down to the ground and then rose again "and there was a part of this branch in the soil, as at present; and if an Englishman should pass between this branch and the trunk of the tree, he would immediately die; but should a Welshman go, he would in no way suffer."(Life of St Beino)
All photographs are by Christopher Tottle, Photograqpher with permission.
The Church of Llangynydir is to be found near the Talybont Reservoir in South Breconshire, and area still named for Brychan Brycheiniog, Bugi, Egwine, Cynydir, Maches and Cadoc's grandfather through Gwladys (Latin Claudia) their mother.

Southwark Cathedral bans 'Jerusalem' and ;I vow to thee my country'!

I was absolutely amazed to read in the Mail that Southwark Cathedral is banning the hymn Jerusalem. It is almost an ultimate Christian hymn and marries together many Christian themes, particularly spiritual combat. The only issue I have with the hymn is that it was ‘England’s mountains green because if Jesus as a child did visit this country as a child with Joseph of Arimathea-his uncle, according to the legend, he would have arrived possibly in Cornwall or Wales ,Britain being a Celtic Society with not an Anglo Saxon in sight! It is believed Joseph of Arimathea, (who provided Jesus’ tomb in the Bible), was a merchant trading for tin and often visited Britannia.
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Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient times
Walk upon England's (!) mountains green
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On Englands pleasant pastures seen?
And didte Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills
And was Jerusalem builden here
Among these dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear O clouds unfold! (see picture and ref in Rev)
Bringe me my cariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fightNor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
On Englands(!) green and pleasant Land.
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Recent archeological finds do indicate that this trade was going on between the two countries at this time, as first century artefacts have been found in Tintagel.After the crucifixion and Whitsun, when the Apostles had been told to go into all the world, St Peter sent St Philip to Northern Europe and Philip sent a group of disciples led by Joseph to Britain, where they were granted twelve hides of land at Glastonbury or Ynys Witrin (The Isle of Glass) and built a small mud and wattle church there. St Patrick saw and recorded this church several centuries later and St David also created a small Celtic monastery there. It was always considered a very holy and special place.The Lamb of God, relates to the early Christian Church or Living Body of Christ coming to Glastonbury and establishing the Christian religion, which first taught that every human was precious in the sight of God, who wanted them all to be saved and live with him in Heaven and united its members by the Eucharist.Below:' Bring me my spear, O clouds unfold...


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Blake contrasts this first coming of Christianity on these shores (GB), with the menace of rampant dehumanisation in factories, mines and places of business, which render people slaves again to machines with worldly masters making excessive profits at the expense of the good and happiness of all people, something that has become a fact of life from then till now. (Children in mines, long hours in factories, etc) Eventually even the people freed from the machines are chase riches and so forth which is not a problem as long as it is not at the expense of others as then they do not concentrate on spiritual gifts of lasting value.

This introduces an escalation in the realms of spiritual combat against evil. What these clerics call ‘militaristic’ overtones are connected with this. So are they objecting to God fighting evil, or even the teaching of St Paul? The Bow of Burning Gold belongs to the Victorious One, Jesus on his white horse in Rev 6:2, vanquishing evil with his arrows of desire at the end of Time, the chariots of fire accompany Jesus also –(Psalm 68:17 and Revelations). Christians are asked to fight evil and keep themselves fit for spiritual battle (filled with God not evil). St Paul himself says so in Ephesians Chapter 6:10-17. ‘Put on the whole armour of God so you can resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies we have to struggle but against the principalities and the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness of the world, the spirits of evil in the heavens.So stand your ground, with truth as a belt around your waist,and an upright life as your breastplate …always carrying the shield of faith so you can use it to quench the burning arrows of the Evil one. You must take salvation as your helmet and the Sword of the Spirit that is, the Word of God. It is not for nothing the church on earth is called the Church militant. Are they perhaps criticising St Paul as well-or don’t they understand the hymns?


The hymn ‘I vow to thee my country’ also, contrasts our known country with the country of God-the New Jerusalem building in the hearts of the Faithful. Just as warriors lay down their lives for their country, so do the spiritual soldiers do this for God This is a sort of ‘inner country’ of faith, suffering for it, being loyal to it, in fact the country of the Body of Christ, which increases silently as a bastion of love and endurance in the world and in heaven and works for peace. I find this beautiful and as for this spiritual plan of salvation of God’s how is it not glorifying Him? Or is the Church of England dumbing own now? Will the clergy not understand there is a spiritual war raging now, with people all doing their own thing and not worrying how it affects others. Snatching children the innocents, using them as a commodity, youth acting like aliens, no moral rules. Yet they ban hymns which encourage the church Militant (those of us stil here on earth) from fighting evil. How do they think God wants us to fight evil, not by talking it to death that's for sure. The Church, the Body of Christ, we are God's hands in the world and we need help and spiritual direction from clergy not discouragement and spurius disapproval of hymns which have inspired millions to do God's Will and fight evil, with a vision of New Jerusalem a symbol of heaven.
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I am at a loss to understand this ban, and wonder whether the clergy have gone soft .. I would have thought in my own little way, that to fight Evil (and just look around to see his work and how it possesses people to do terrible things!) was to glorify God, Love and Truth. Perhaps they should also look at the origins of the flag of St George of England which enfolds all these principles-the red blood on the white Lamb-the flag of Paschal Sacrifice.

Evil amd the World today, Bridgend tragedy and Madeleine

I was interested this week to listen to an interview with Catholic Priest Father Thomas Eutenuer who lives in Guatemala. His interview was on the subject of exorcisms-not a subject I knw anything about but I found it disturbing. Catholic Answeers is a daily podcast of 55 minutes on all sorts of Catholic style themes. He has said how because there is a secularisation of society, driven largely by the people controlling the media, that man, as a spiritual being sees no hope and a darkness.This is because they have been driven by a grab all and live for now mentality . Youth=good Age and experience=boring, not in the club. In order to be successful you have to be young, ruthless, smart, avaoid children unless you can afford lots of childcare, have an active lovelife with someone who adores you, all the time. All the better if you can be a celebrity or famour person for something.

Problem is, life is only like that for some. Life seems unfair, some people have it all, others suffer.The problem is the storms of life affect us all. When we realise we are not the lucky one we look to other things to give our lives meaning-esrecially ways of seeing into the future-surely things will get better, won't they? Surely we will have everything? And then the big let down, you are rejected. Someone does not want you any more and the pain is too great to bear.This is a very good image of the Crucifixion. we are crucified and broken by these things.

Others are so bitter, they literally dice with the Devil to give lives some excitement and some can even, if they open themselves up to this be possessed by demons. If you are in a state of grace, you believe in the faith of your baptism, you try and help others, go to confession and Mass and live unselfishly these demons can't take you over. Yet this is a real situation and Father thought it was a symptom of these young men who rampage around American colleges killing people indiscriminately, including themselves. Then there was Dunblane, another tragic outcome.It starts slowly and gradually builds up.

The news today, that another victim of Bridgend , the eighteenth victim a 22 year old woman who was found hanging in a carden by three young children is a grave cause for comcerm. This was in a place only 200 yards from where Liam Clarke, who was the fifth victim was found.This was on the Cefn Glas Estate. Three boys who found her pushed her legs up until she was cut down, but can you believe the trauma?She briefly regained consciousness by died yesterday. She came from Cardiff.with some people the love they feel is so intense that to be rejected makes them feel humiliated, sad and suicidal.

Jesus said two people built houses . ONe on sand and one dug out foundations dragged stones in one by one and placed them on top of each other. His house took longer because it was made of stone and firmly built. Both of them experienced terrible storms and one house was swept away and another stood firm, battered but standing, and able to repair the damage. Nothing left of the other. Building a strong and firm foundation for your life is important- p[utting off sexual encounters until you have done your exams, dreamed your dreams, gone travelling and unable to maintain long term relationships. More important for Christians is to build a strong spiritual awareness. Every single hair on your head is loved by God, God loved you from the time you were conceived and knew you in the womb-and there even some are not safe. However as you grow up the love and support and interest of parents is important as is the involvement of a good family life and home. Married people know life is not a bed of roses all the time and sometime you could really go made with your husband or wife, but you try because you see the vulnerability of the other person. If, for some reason you are rejected and lived you have strength and the virtues of faith, hope and love to see you through. You know your parents love you, your children love you and depend on you, you know that the sun will shine again in a while, you just have to wait with hope, strengthened by faith and brothers and sisters in the Church. I met my husband quite suddenly at an unhappy time in my life. He just walked into my life and bye bye everyone else. He would give me has last penny and is generous and loving -even though there are hunks on tv-there is no one better for me, as he is the real macoy! Many married people feel like this-and we are never given publicity because it is no9t how the media like tp portray society. I have a wonderful son (problem free-helpful and loving)though enjoying all those teenage things and really there are many like us-just never given opublicity.

People don;t think any more. They don't think-Who did this poll? Who answered the questions? What were the questions? Did these questions given them the answers they wanted? They buy into it all. The slefishness of 'doing your own thing and never mind anyone else. Playing music so loud it disturbs others and not caring, even when people need to sleep.

Father euteneuer says cases of daemonic possession are rare but start with small things ouja boards and such things until the person is unable to withstand the pressures. People doing drugs is another case in point, completely taken over during a trance others by occult interests. There has been a worldwide rise in daemonic possessions. The Vatican are training many more priests to cope with this, because the world of the demons and the devil is real and not to be trifled with. It feeds on spiritual beings deprived of the age old protections that there were, so that when death is faced, there is nothing else to turn to not faith not hope and no charity. The world of the internet is full of kooks and people who say they are possessed by the devil, perhaps some of them are. There are all sorts of people playing with young people's minds at a time when they should be care free and having fun. I hope people do watch where their children go on the internet-do a cookie search and you will find out. But take evil seriously, it is out there, and building your spiritual and your bodily life on strong foundations, the teaching and promises of Christ, of God and the Spirit of Comfort and Truth is protection. St Paul uses all these military themes-Breatplate of righteousness, the sword of truth because he knows that each and every day we do into spiritual combat with the Devil-a little temptation a little more ....and more....and then problems.

To equip your children to deal with this battle is every Christian parent's duty and the best way to do that is to build on a firm foundatiuon. No lying, no cheating, no stealing, no murder of any human being, honouring those who gave birth to you,not being jealous, not putting other things in place of God,excessive gambling, alcohol drugs etc. Lay down the rules and explaid-it's not cool to be a fool. compulsion to anything can be excessive and that is where trouble starts. In the mean time the spiritually barren generation need reevangelising, they need telling that people do care about them and the endless void they seem to see.....is actually full of angels longing for their retaurn to the real home-which is Love. Jesus has done all the brokenness. He has done the agony. Now he stands there with open arms, because our lives only actually have meaning in relation to whom we love and those who love us. Nothing negative can prevail against real searing divine love seen in our family and good friends.

No pictures today because I am away from my own computer and haveing to do this in haste.So sad to learn of another tragedy.

Gerry and Kate in Bruussels

Gerry and Kate McCann are speaking in Brussels about the Amber Alert scheme which they would like to have implemented in other countries.There was a nice picture of Kate in front of the Sun. I hope the police are not working on who might have had a personal grudge against the Mccann's as there seems to be some sort of interest in the 'Tapas 9' the friends who were with them. Let us hopd they find the little girl soon. While there is no body or definate proof, many people believe there is some interesting motivation behind this abduction and perhaps the reconstruction might give some new idea which will lead to her release.We should, in any case pray for her, and all missing children. Don't gotget the 'Light a candle link 'elsewhere on the LHS of the blog.

Madeleine Mystery deepens

Well I had some computer issues recently but did put up my latestpodcast which is availablefree from iTunes and called Tintagel cliffs. This also talks about an interesting trip to see the church where St Cadoc'smonastery was situated on its own little round patch of earth now the Trevethin churchyard. Nearby was the Avon Lwyd. I visited Park House in Pontypool which was the house of the Hanbury family, a Cathlic family whosold the house to the church for a school, currently St Albans catholic School. I will put some photos on the blog later. I am using a 'foreign' computer at present which does not house my pictures.The museum in Pontypool has been refurbished and the Stables,where the museum is is absolutely pristine and been well renovated. While I was there ,there was a guitarrist playing in the Coffee shop! One person also told me there was a Lady Llanover society and more of that anon. Lady Llanover brought over the nuns fleeing Fraance to help them set up the Church. There is a Grotto, a Folly, some ice houses , most have been refurbished. Ther is also an Italian Garden, so Pontypool Park continues to delight. The Folly which is a tower is loved by Pontypool People. Thouands upon thousands went up there to celebrate the silver Jubilee of George V. It was torn down in the war as being too much of a landmark, but has now been rebuilt.

The Pope s getting ready for his trip to America. It was reported that over 8 thousand Christian ministers from other churches have come home to the Catholic Church recently. ONe of them, Mike Climbie said her was really angry about the myths and spit put out against Catholics by other christians and he was more annoyed with himself for being seayed at them.

Question is, where is Madeleine? A poster on the Sky Forum have write about Maddy;s whereabouts and I think it is a hoax, although you can never be sure, Fromsomeone called unknown' claiming Madeleine was now called Sarah Kandi whom she (the poster) had taken a year ago in revenge for the treatment she had been given by the parents. Well that is for God to know,but the moment we need to have faith. until she is returned.Lets hope thhis has already happened!

Anyway I msut got to bed now. It is lateand I myst sleep!!

Easter Snow!!!

Well hello everyone! Unbelievable! To wake up to this yesterday morning, just as we had just had had some glorious warm spring days!!! I had gone down to my mother's in Cwmbran for a couple of days, as I had loads to do and wanted to see her and we actually sat in the garden, saying what lovely weather it was!!Still that's the British Weather for you. Today I have caught up with most of my business stuff and have a busy weekend-rehearsal Wednesday , concert Thursday night with my choir and singing my self in my normal job as soloist on Friday in Ebbw Vale at the Beaufort Theatre and then Saturday working at the Stage School and Sunday playing the piano for ballet exams. Musician's life is never dull!!!If exhausting!

Anyway, will be putting up my podcast of my trip to St Materiana's Tintagel Church on iTunes. If you just google iTunes, press download, click store and enter MaryinMonmouth you will hget these episodes and they can be listened to in the 'podcasts' folder, free and without difficulty! Don't forget it's free if you want to hear lil old me.

Shannon Matthews Latest Shock

I have been absolutely shocked to see Sharon Matthews' Shannon Matthews' Mother and Aunt have now been arrested s well as the Stepfather (22 years) who has already been arrested for having illegal child images on his computer (200 counts!) I find it so sad that a child, who should have every protection against this kind of thing in their own home felt so desperate she had to run away. We won't know the truth about this and we should not speculate, as we don't know all of it. I just find it so sad that when people can't seem to form deep and committed relationships. the risk to children increases. Not only their sense of belonging to a close family unit is shaken but they can also be threatened by people of perverted tastes who can stalk lonely hearts pages and look for single mums with children. All single Mum's should not be unaware of the risks. We are none of us perfect, but forming sturdy (and sometimes difficult)marriages is an important cacoon for nurturing security and self worth in children,who as children of previous partners sometimes just become inconvenient to a new love. This is not, of course always the case, but stability is an important concept in the Christian life and in everyone's life as St Benedict said. Stability brings happiness along with been loved and wanted and a child being a priority in a fmaily unit (without either the father or the mother.) I have heard many people say 'We are staying together because of the children'-how noble and selfless that it! And isn't it true, that marriage, like any relationship, is something you have to work hard at. You have to love more, when times are hard. It forces you to think more for the other person than for yourself, and can bring contentment and happiness as well as security and stability.

Madeleine McCann

Apparently there has been a sighting of Madeleine in Tenerife and detectives are investigating it.Margaret Jones, a tourist ist certain it was her. She was in the airport at the Spanish island. She rang Methodo 3 the McCann detectives when she got home to Cardiff.Sixty year old Mrs Jones who works in the media, said '
'I was sitting opposite a shop. I spotted a little girl with curly red hair with a man, who was about 5ft 10in.....When the little girl looked up, my heart skipped a beat. I took one look and thought, ‘My God, it’s Maddie’.They walked off and I had to get my plane'. She had also reported it to Crimestoppers on March 7th and emailed Leicestershire Police.

I think it was a pity Mrs Jones did not alert the airport police, but perhaps she had to catch her flight.

When you listen to the podcast, if you want to remind yourself about the Holy Madryn or St Materiana of Cornwall, look in the archive or this blog or go to iTunes and download episode 6 of Mary in Monmouth which is all about Queen Materiana of Cornwall.

My son is off to beautiful Italy on Friday. He is visiting he Bay of bella Napoli, Pompei, Vesuvius, Herculaneum and many other places as he is studying Latin. Just one thought! Wish it was me!!!!!!

Growing up in a Vacuum-Haut de la Garenne, Cloning

This is a link to two more sad stories from the children's home. What makes it more horrible is the isolation and worst of all that mp pome responded to complaints not the school, not the police or anyone who could have been counted on to help. These children, already removed from their homes because of concerns there, were helpless and vulnerable commodity for perverted and sick excuses for human beings, their selfishness and desires praying on the helpless and vulnerable. The buzz of (it seems literally) having life or death power of the little ones.

Christ said, whoever does harm to these children, it would be better for him to have a millstone around his head and be thrown into the ocean. These people if not hard and evil must seek forgiveness and take their punishment for their crimes, as they are considerable. Also all those who colluded in it are culpable. The brave people who stuck their necks out and made a fuss were the usual butt of jokes, made out to be mad eccentrics and some people in power seemed back up the abusers. This is how evil succeeds.Evem those 'guests' on the sea trips!

Evil needs human tools to help him do his depraved work. I say I salute the martyrs who made a fuss, were reviled and ridiculed by whoever was in the know and look forward to the convictions, during which perhaps they will reconsider their lives. What a tragedy for so many, especially for those who lost their lives. May their souls resting the mercy of God and receive the happiness and love they never lived to enjoy.Remember them in your prayers.Also remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? The Police, the Councillors? The Medicals? The teachers? who was their good neighbour? Sad....nobody powerful enough to break that wall of silence....
Those who spoke up and tried to help, Well done good and faithful servants!!!For the victims who live, God's Blessings on you all your life!

HUMAN CLONING A waste of time objecting? To anything?

First we have government policy leaked to the press and then parliament told about it afterwards. Now we have, apart from government interfering in practically every aspect of our lives, Human cloning taking place and then the government going to itself and trying to bludgeon MP's into voting for it afterwards as well. Were the licensers acting within the law??

I believe this advanced technology was discovered by a Dutch Company and involves the weak egg of a mother not able to develop this egg, putting it in the husk of a stronger egg and fusing it together in a sort of machine. It was said to be successful and the company claimed they had cloned 8 babies in 2003 . They could not prove it because the parents concerned would not allow their children to be identified. This same technology has clearly already been used on the human cow embryos which are 99 per cent human and 1 per cent cow according to the BBC . Now I am not a scientist but even if it did not involve killing the human tissue to put in cow tissue, this still is killing human tissue which would have had a soul and creating a new species, which is dangerous.

The benefits are listed as cures for horrible and sad diseases, where excellent progress (especially in diabetes)has recently been made and a cure in sight. In addition the umbilical cords of many born and live babies have been used for this research and it has been said the results are as good. So is the reason for the 'Embryology' bill(I know it made my eyes glaze over till I thought about it)something we should all protest about.The Church has always had pity on the unborn,but is this not a step to far. Won't it just be the first little thin end of the wedge of further more extreme experiments which will then be pushed for by the scientists. Human matter, tissue still has a soul-remember the Bible

In the womb I knew you....

So who was Cadoc??? Gwynlliw's son. Another great Traveller!

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St Cadoc's Church in the centre of the Roman Fort of Caerleon
St Cadoc was a native of Gwent, born in the early part of the sixth century, the son of Gwynllyw ap Glywys, a princeling of Gwent who founded St. Woolos Church in Newport.

St. Cadog the Wise was one of the greatest of the Welsh Saints. He was, as we have seen, the eldest son of King Gwynllyw Farfog (the Bearded) of Gwent. He was born at Gwynllwgat Bochriwcarn in Gelligaer, around 497, and baptised "Cadfael" by St. Tathyw where he was sent,at a young age, to be educated by this Irish saint at his monastery in Caerwent. Later, he left to become a wandering hermit in Penychen, the Kingdom of his uncle, Pawl(Paul). His presence was reported to the King by a swineherd whose pigs, Cadog had disturbed. King Pawl presented his nephew with the valley where these pigs fed, and here the young saint built his famous monastery of Llancarfan. Cadog stayed there for many years doing good works, but eventually he left for Ireland to study under Carthagh at Saighir in Eire fro three years..
Cadog eventually returned to Wales with several Irish followers, including his great friend, St. Finnian, They settled at Llanspyddid by Y-Gaer in Brecon (Brycheiniog)where Cadog learnt Latin from an Italian mentor named Bachan. While at Llanspyddid, a great famine raged in the countryside around, but the Welshman saved his followers from starvation by observing a mouse which led him to a secret grain store. Eventually, Cadog's maternal grandfather, King Brychan (Brecon)Brycheiniog, gave him the church at Llanspyddid and the saint left Brachan there as Abbot while he moved on to Llangadog in Dyfed.
Here he was constantly harassed by a local lord named Sawyl Penuchel (the Arrogant) One day, while Cadog was out tending to the needs of the poor, Sawyl and his men raided Llangadog and stole all provisions. Cadog had his revenge though. His monks pursued Sawyl's Warband, humiliated them by cutting off their hair while they slept and then enticed them into a marsh where they all drowned. St. Illtud, an officer of King Pawl of Penychen, was, similarly, converted to Christianity by Cadog when his men stole from the saint and were swallowed up by the earth! Obviously Cadog had a lot of his father’s inclinations.
Cadog soon decided it was time to return to his original foundation at Llancarfan. He found the monastery in ruins and the monks all gone; however, Finnian and his fellows worked hard to restore the holy place for their friend. At this time, the ageing King Gwynllyw passed away and Cadog became monarch of his father's domain. He soon inherited Penychen too. The saint, however, did not allow his secular responsibilities to interfere with his vocation as a Christian.
St. Gildas was made Abbot of Lancarfan for a short while, when he visited Cadog there. The King-Abbot wished to travel North to spread the word of Christ, so left Gildas in charge. The two saints retired to the Bristol Channel. Cadog to Ynys-Barren (Barry Island) and Gildas to Ynys-Echni (Flatholm), though they often met up together for prayers. Gildas eventually moved on to Ynys-Witrin (Glastonbury) and Cadog, along with some of his entourage, appear to have travelled to Brittany, probably to escape plague in Wales. They stopped off in Cerniw (Cornwall) on the way. Cadog visited his aunt, St. Keyne, on St. Michael's Mount and founded a chapel at Harlyn near Padstow. In Brittany, he settled on the Ile de St. Cadou in the Sea of Belz. While he was away, the Synod of Llandewi Brefi was held back in Wales, at which St. Dewi (David) was proclaimed Archbishop of Wales. Cadog was furious and relations with the monastics of Dyfed were soured from then on. While sojourning on the continent, Cadog made pilgrimages to both Rome and Jerusalem.
We have more details of time spent in Brittany. He settled there on an island in the Etel river, now called L'Ile de Cado, where he built an oratory, founded a monastery and devoted himself to spreading the Gospel.
This monastery became quite important, although this may have occurred after his time. According to legend, the island was invaded by some pirates who destroyed the monastery and Cadoc was forced to leave.

He had founded another small monastery at Barry , where he was a soul friend of the Irish Saint Barruc who had arrived there from Ireland on a white martyrdom. Cadoc’s small church was nearby and idyllic next to the sea looking out to the Island of Echni (Flat Holm) where many saints were buried and where there was said to be another monastic settlement. Islands were very holy places to the Celts and King Tewdrig wanted to be buried there, but died at Mathern (Merthyr Tewdrig) as we know. He had founded another small monastery at Barry , where he was a soul friend of the Irish Saint Barruc who had arrived there from Ireland on a white martyrdom. Cadoc’s small church was nearby and idyllic next to the sea looking out to the Island of Echni (Flat Holm) where many saints were buried and where there was said to be another monastic settlement. Islands were very holy places to the Celts and King Tewdrig wanted to be buried there, but died at Mathern (Merthyr Tewdrig) as we know.
Back in Wales once more, Cadog clashed with several of his fellow monarchs. As the country's High-King, Maelgwn of Gwynedd insisted on tribute from Gwynllwg and sent his officers to collect it. When these men kidnapped the daughter of Cadog's steward, however, they were pursued by the people of Gwynllwg and several were killed or injured. Maelgwn almost invaded Gwent as a result, but Cadog was able to curb his temper. The warband of Maelgwn's son, Rhun Hir (the Tall), once burnt down Cadog's dairy and the young King was obliged to plead for forgiveness and make appropriate compensation. When Cadog's ) uncle, Rhain Dremrudd (Red- Faced), became King of Brycheiniog, he immediately took to using his power by raiding nearby Kingdoms. Gwent suffered along with the rest, but the locals managed to capture King Rhain and would. have put him to death had his nephew not intervened.
Around AD 564, the ageing St. Cadog caught the wanderlust again and spent some time revisiting Ireland. He later returned to Llancarfan, but quickly handed the monastery over to his disciple, Enlli. He then left for Beneventum, which is probably to be identified with Bannaventa (Weedon) in Northamptonshire (Calchfynedd) on the very edge of Saxon territory. Here he was elected Abbot of a large body of monks. The city was in ruins, but Cadog inspired the inhabitants to set about rebuilding it. In thanks, they created him their first Bishop. On 24th January AD 580, however, the place was invaded (by Saxons ) and Cadog was run through with a spear and martyred in his own church. For many years the invaders would not let the British claim his body, but eventually he was transferred to Llancarfan where he now lies buried. His memorial may have found its way to Llandefaelog Fach, where a now lost stone was once to be seen inscribed with the name "Catvc". Having no heirs, Cadog had made arrangements for his Kingdoms to be left to King Meurig of Gwent, the husband of his young aunt.
He was martyred there at the hands of the Saxons, and his relics were transferred to Llancarfan. The most important source of information is the Life of Cadog written by Lifris about 1100, which is the longest and most significant of the Welsh Lives. This is underlined by the fact that Lifris was abbot of Llancarfan. In addition reference is made to Cadoc in the Life of St. Samson, written early in the eighth century, and in the Life of St. Gildas, written in the tenth century. He also figures in the Life of St Tathan and the Life of Gwynlliw in the Collection of the Lives of the Cambro British Saints (avail Amazon ) Although the Lives contain the numerous portents and miraculous happenings of the early Medieval tradition which were considered a necessary element in the accounts of the saints, it is clear that much of the material reflects genuine traditions. In Wales there are at least fifteen dedications to the saint apart from Llancarfan. Some occur close to his monastery in the Vale of Glamorgan, like Llanmaes and Pendoylon. The greatest number are found in Gwent, obviously linked to his possible birthplace, but spread as far as Gower in the west and Llangattock in Powys in the north. Here are some of the ancent ones.
St Cadoc’s Church in Caerleon, and St Cadoc’s Hospital. This foundation obviously is the best known. Caerleon was where Gwynlliw and Gwladys would have lived before their conversion and where they were visited by Tathan. So it is likely Cadog may have been born here. The ancient foundations of the monastery were within the boundaries of the fort, unlike the Church of Julius Julianus and Aaron, bot outside the fort.This Church was originally built over the Temple of Jupiter in the centre of the town.
Llan gattock ibon avel
St Cadoc’s, Trevethin, Pontypool.
Llan gattock near Usk
Llangattock Lingoed
Llangattock Penrhos
There are also dedications commemorating his work in Scotland at Renfrewshire at Newton Mearns, and at Cornwall.

It is worthwhile remembering all such early foundations were also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A Prayer of St Cadoc

‘Persevere as ye have begun, that ye may be crowned when ye are about to have a crown; be therefore crowned. Do not ye see that the day of this world is passing away and that the powerful men are discouraged as if they had never been comforted? What is secular power with regard to true blessedness but the greatest delusion?’ they are deluded who love such things. They live for today not being about to live for the morrow.What unhappiness and how great their misery if they lose heavenly things in darkness! Furture inhabitants of heaven, ye will not lose the joys of the heavenly country, and being just ye will be on the right side. Ye may recollect mention o the saying of the supreme judge, who wil deliver the sentence on those who are judged ‘Come ye blessed children of my father, receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world!’

Moving words that are just as breathtakingly relevant today as then! From the sixth century to today!
The Wisdom of St Cadoc
Without knowledge, no God.
No man is the son of knowledge if he is not also the son of poetry.
The best of attitudes is humility;
the best of occupations, work;
the best of sentiments, pity;
the best of cares, justice;
the best of pains, that which a man takes to make peace;
the best of sorrows, sorrow for sin;
the best of characters, generosity.
Truth is the elder daughter of God.
No man loves poetry without
loving the light,
nor light without truth,
nor truth without loving God.
The best of patriots is the man who tills the soil.
No man is pious who is not cheerful.
There is no king like him who is king of himself.
Loving is Heaven; hatred is Hell.
Conscience is the eye of God in the soul of man

Lovely words!