St. Winefride

Commemorated on November 3

St. Winefride was a maiden of noble birth who lived in North Wales in the seventh century. The niece and spiritual daughter of St. Beuno, she entered the Monastery of Gwytherin after his death, where she lived under the spiritual direction of St. Eleril.

The son of a neighboring chieftan, Caradoc, demanded that Winefride submit herself to him. When she refused, he pursued her and struck off her head with a sword. The spot where her head fell became known as Holywell, because of the appearance of a healing spring for those who would take its waters with faith. Holywell remains a great place of pilgrimage in Britain to this day.

By permission of Abba Moses (www.abbamoses.com)