New Year with the Celtic Saints 2018/19

We are here again thanking God for yet another very successful and sold out event. This was an opportunity to explore the world of the Celtic Saints, learn about their robust view of faith and life, and walk where they walked. This was faith-building and lots of fun.  Pilgrims came from all over the country on the afternoon of Sunday 30th December 2018 some even coming back again for the second time (we must have gotten something right!!!). We tried to pray as they did and had plenty of delicious homemade good food too – says the cook (and the reviews!).

At Cilsant, where Saint Gwinnio built his retreat.

Monday 31st December 2018
On Monday 31st , after morning devotions and breakfast, we walked together on the very road travelled by our local Celtic saint Gwinio between his retreat at Cilsant and the site of his monastery at Llanwinio. God favoured us with cool enough weather for a lovely walk.For three-and-a-half miles we followed lanes, went through woodland, along valleys and up to the hill to Llanwinio itself, walking in the actual steps of the man of God fifteen hundred years ago.  We also saw the spot where he lost his life by neglecting the 6th century travellers’ rule – ‘always go together’.  It is said a healing golden spring – living waters – sprang from the ground his severed head touched.
Tuesday 1st January 2019
On Tuesday 1st after morning devotions and breakfast we ventured into Pembrokeshire and visited St. Govan's  Chapel which is concealed and almost on the beach at St Govan's Head.  It is said Govan escaped from pirates when the rock opened up. He hid in  the cleft and founded a church in thanks to Almighty God. The current structure dates from the middle ages. In the afternoon, we motored to St. David's to look around the cathedral close. We saw the stream the sixth-century evangelist stood in to pray. Dewi's monastic order allowed fish once a week and no meat. They were a tough bunch, these Celtic Christians! We stayed for Evensong in the Cathedral, a service which goes back 500 years to the time of the Tudors and is based on services dating back to the time of the Celtic Saints.
Wednesday 2nd January 2019
On Wednesday 2nd we once again served breakfast before the pilgrims departed for home.  Naturally we hope and pray everyone left blessed by their time walking in the footsteps of the Celtic Saints.