Typically, Tydfil’s story remains a little hidden. Her name is attached to this place of Merthyr Tydfil, and the church here is reputedly the place where she was buried whether she was murdered or martyred, or died a natural death. She was one of the many daughters of Brychan, and perhaps lived life as a hermit in Wales.
Some stories go that she was passing this way to visit her elderly father, accompanied by some of her brothers, the party set upon by pagans along their pilgrim route. Whether this is true, and if the Merthyr attached to this place means martyrdom or simply resting place, we can only imagine.
Centuries after her death, this wooded region gave way to the heavy hand of the Iron Industry. When the King of Prussia visited the town, then the largest in Wales, he called it the ‘fiery city of Pluto.’ Despite all the changes, the church which carries her name survives. Tydfil’s feast day is August 23.
Hwyl
Was she simply passing through
with no plan to stop
at least for a while?
En-route, racing to her father,
now grown old -
going home or gone to roost?
But Brychan's daughter dies here,
stopped in her tracks
by sword or some other means.
She is buried in the ground
that takes her name,
now at peace beside the river
which rises from Brycheiniog,
Brychan's sometime home.
Here, among the wooded folds,
above the limestone, chalk
and dark-grey iron ore
she was fuelled by love.
A furnace of faith,
her soft heart melted,
she stood strong,
this iron lady.
Bible Reading
From Deuteronomy
Moses said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Prayer
Lord God,
here,
upon this ground
made sacred by a Martyr’s blood
we seek the strength
that comes from you.
Dispel our fears
and drown out the voices
which discourage or deride us,
that we may journey onwards,
safe in the knowledge of your love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stay Awhile
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace,
here at Tydfil’s shrine,
a place which speaks of the past
and of the future too.
Now, the town moves to its own rhythm.
Industry’s past is behind,
and, re-emerging, is a greener land,
hopeful,
searching.
Here, nature’s resilience
is echoed in the church,
re-emerging,
hopeful,
searching.
Be still here,
and be at peace.
Pray for
Pray for all who live in Merthyr Tydfil,
and all who work here,
for the churches,
and their common witness.
Pray for these post industrial valleys,
for the aspirations of young people,
and for a strengthening of community life.
Hwyl Fawr
May the saints and Martyrs watch over us, pray for us and guide us along the pilgrim way. And may God give us his blessing, now and for ever more. Amen. St Tydfil, pray for us. St David, pray for us. St Winifred, pray for us. All the Saints of God, pray for us.
LINKS & INFO
Website: You can discover more about the church communities here at www.merthyrtydfilministryarea.co.uk
Where next?
Plan your journey to the next part of the Llanscape of Wales using our Google Maps Trail:
South Cardiff Ministry Area 