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January 25

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Saint of the day:

Saint Dwynwen, Dawn

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Patron Saint of Lovers (Wales)

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Saint Dwynwen's Story

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Saint Dwynwen, a Welsh saint, was known for saying: "Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness." A member of the family of Brychan of Brecknock, she is venerated throughout Wales and Cornwall, England.

 

Saint Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and legend has it that she was one of the prettiest of Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters. Dwynwen fell in love with a prince called Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should marry someone else.

Dwynwen was so upset that she could not marry Maelon that she begged God to make her forget him. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.

God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed; her second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God’s service for the rest of her life.

She founded a convent on Llanddwyn, off the west coast of Anglesey, where a well named after her became a place of pilgrimage after her death in 465AD. Visitors to the well believed that the sacred fish or eels that lived in the well could foretell whether or not their relationship would be happy and whether love and happiness would be theirs. Remains of Dwynwen’s church can still be seen today.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwynwen

https://www.visitwales.com/info/history-heritage-and-traditions/st-dwynwens-day

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofWales/St-Dwynwens-Day/

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/st-dwynwen-day-welsh-valentine-8505890

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Prayer:

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Visit:

Wales!

Saint Dwynwen's Church

Ynys Llanddwyn, Anglesey, Wales
 

 Saint Dwynwen's Church is a ruined church on the island of Ynys Llanddwyn off the coast of the island of Anglesey, northwest Wales. 

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Stdwynwen'sChurchLlanddwyn.JPG
LlanddwynRuins.jpg
DwynwenCross1.jpg

 

 

Recipe:

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 Welsh Rarebit 

or in Northern France known as "Le Welsh"

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INGREDIENTS

  • 4 slices of bread (or pain de mie)

  • 2 tbsp (30g) Dijon Mustard

  • 1 tbsp (15ml) Worcestershire sauce

  • 3 cups (300g) Orange cheddar, grated

  • 1 3/4 cup (400ml) Brown Ale

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INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 480°F (250°C) 

  2. Toast the bread slices (in a toaster or in a lightly greased pan).

  3. Sprinkle ¼ tbsp of Worcestershire sauce on each slice of toast and then spread ½ tbsp of Dijon Mustard. Lay the toasts flat in a oven-proof dish (do not overlap them).

  4. In a medium saucepan, over medium-heat, heat up the beer and slowly whisk in the grated cheese until completely melted. 

  5. Pour the beer + cheese mixture over the toasts (this will look like a lot of liquid, but the toasts will absorb some of it as they bake in the oven).

  6. Bake for 10 minutes and finish off with 30 seconds under the broiler.

  7. Topped with some bacon and paired with some roasted tomatoes...yum!

  8. Enjoy immediately.

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