Born an Irish princess in the 5th century, St. Gladys was devout from childhood. Her father, King St. Brychan of Brechnock, raised her with strong Christian values that would be the bedrock of her faith and help her withstand trials later on. As she aged, she grew not only in holiness but beauty, and soon caught the attention of the most eligible bachelors in the neighboring kingdoms. Among them was a brutish neighbor, King Gwynllyw Farfog. He was so taken with Gladys that he invaded King Brechnok’s kingdom and captured her by force. Her father tried to pursue them and rescue his daughter from marriage to such an ill-tempered man, but the High King Arthur stopped King Brechnock’s pursuit and persuaded him to come around to the arrangement.
St. Gladys matured into a graceful queen of Wales, serving God and her kingdom faithfully by her husband’s side. She bore seven children during their reign, all of whom became saints and one of whom, St. Cadog, helped her to convert King Gwynllyw, who also was canonized after his death. In their old age, Gladys and Gwynllyw left their regal life and decided to live as devout hermits. After the death of her husband, Gladys founded a hermitage in Pencarn and stayed there until she died on March 29th. Her feast day is shared by her husband, St. Gwynllyw.
Practical Lessons
- Raise Your Children in the Faith: St. King Brechnok’s decision to raise St. Gladys with strong Christian values gave her the fortitude and graces necessary to keep her faith after her kidnapping—and not only to keep it, but to raise seven more saints and convert her husband. This foundation of faith was not only for his daughter, but for all his descendants to come and the countless lives they would touch.
- Evangelize: Sometimes we may be tempted to keep our faith to ourselves, especially around our closest loved ones who we know do not share our values or beliefs. However, St. Gladys perfectly exemplifies how God rewards us in sharing our faith with those closest to us.
- Always Be Open to God’s Will: St. Gladys and St. Gwynllyw’s decision to leave their riches behind and become hermits for love of God reminds us to always be open to His will. This radical decision is very convicting; we were not made for the fleeting pleasures of this world but for the glories of Heaven. We must be open to whatever way of life God is calling us to in order to help us attain that.
Prayer
O, St. Gladys, beautiful Queen of Wales, pray for us that we may have faith as strong as yours. Please ask Jesus to let us not be formed by the world but rather to form the world around us in His image. Please ask Him to lead us to Heaven, along with our spouses and our descendants. Amen.
