If seems that St Cadoc (Catwg) came from a privileged background, and inherited much land from his father, Gwynllyw. But the place we know as Llancarfan was given to him by King Pawl Penychen, and it is here that he created his monastery.
He was baptised and taught by an Irish saint called Meuthi (identified as Tatheus or Tathan of Caerwent fame, and there are the remains of a chapel in his name a few fields away). Cadoc remained with him from the age of 7 to 19 years old when he settled in this place. He was, though, by no means stationery. He travelled around Wales, Scotland, Cornwall and Brittany, and made pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Rome. It was whilst in Rome that he inherited the bell he rather liked and which had been made by his friend, Gildas, who presented the bell to Pope Alexander but it would not ring for him. So Cadoc, for whom the bell would toll, finally possessed the peals!
Cadoc’s place of death and burial is debated (some say, Italy, whilst others opt for Llansannor or somewhere in Abergavenny) but his body was eventually brought back to Llancarfan although moved sometime before 1022 to prevent the shrine’s plunder. His Feast Day is January 24th.
Hwyl
The winding, wooded lanes
lead us to Llancarfan,
the gift of a land
marked out by a miracle,
and lined with the prayer of Cadoc.
They called him
Catwg the Wise,
his wisdom whispered
through the ages,
as he sidled up to stags and mice,
the great and small.
his life story fantastical,
fables for some,
an embroidery of the imagination.
For others, perhaps,
an image of the
possibilities
when we view the world
in a different way,
see where God is,
our lives marked out by miracles.
Bible Reading
From Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Prayer
Lord God,
as we linger here
on Cadoc's ground,
where prayers have been poured out
in every generation,
we join our prayers to theirs.
As we seek a new vision of your glory,
open our eyes and hearts
to all that you are doing
in the world that is your own.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stay Awhile
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace,
here among the old stones,
nestled in this place,
where Cadoc attended to God.
Stay awhile,
alert to the rhythms of the world
which is God's world,
a world alive with his presence.
Be still, and be at peace.
Pray for
Pray for the people who live here,
or those who worship in this place,
and all who pass through
as tourists, sightseers, pilgrims.
Pray for your own community,
your neighours, friends and family,
and all who work to create
strong and healthy communities for all.
Hwyl Fawr
May God bless us
and fill our hearts with love
of all that he has made.
May he guard us and guide us
along the way. Amen.
St Cadoc, pray for us.
St Gildas, pray for us.
St Baruc, pray for us.
St Tathan, pray for us.
All the Saints of God, pray for us.
LINKS & INFO
Website: Llancarfan is part of the Ministry Area of the East Vale Ministry Area
OTHER RESOURCES
The Church in Wales provides a Collect for this Saint’s Feast:
Almighty God, who called Cadoc to proclaim the gospel to this nation: give us, your servants, such faith and power of love that, as we rejoice in his triumph, we may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory now and for ever. Amen.
Where next?
Plan your journey to the next part of the Llanscape of Wales using our Google Maps Trail:
South Cardiff Ministry Area 