Flat Holm sits alongside its sister island, Steep Holm, in the Bristol Channel. It lies within the ancient parish of Cardiff St Mary the Virgin and is the southernmost point of Wales. It is rich in wildlife, steeped in history and religious significance.
Years before the small town of Cardiff became a city, the island was visited by Celtic Saints as an Island retreat, and was a favoured place of seclusion for St Cadoc (b. 497) who cut the ground at Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan, whilst Steep Holm was a home to his friend and disciple, St Gildas.
This visit is for those who see the island from the shore, perhaps from Cardiff Barrage which gives a great view of the island – on a fine day! But if you’re able to make pilgrimage to the island itself then you’ll find an array of resources in our Flat Holm pilgrimage manual.
Hwyl
Listen.
Across the water
Cadoc calls to us.
He calls us to a different way,
of secluded places
and island retreats
away from the ruins of life.
He pushes out with courage,
a coracle crammed with prayer,
across the sea,
washed by the waves
and the wind.
Here,
we learn a lesson in loneliness
and how God always provides.
Nestled in nature,
Cadoc creates new friendships
fostered by faith,
befriends the earth,
a blessing from God.
Learns that he is never alone.
Bible Reading
From Isaiah 42:1-10 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching...Let the sea roar and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants.
Prayer
Lord God,
as my eyes follow the shoreline,
I know I am not always sure of your love.
I sometimes linger, lost and laboured,
looking for signs that let me know.
Here on the shorelines,
staring across the sea,
crossed by Cadoc,
I seek a new vision of your Kingdom
which calls across generations
and asks us only to love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stay Awhile
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace.
Feel the breath of the wind,
hear the cry of sea birds,
let your eyes linger on the clouds
moving across the sky,
or see the changing canvas of the sea,
its greys and browns and greens.
Perhaps you can hear
the sound of others passing by,
the chatter and talk,
the string of dog walkers
and runners swooping past.
Let this be a moment for you,
captured at the water's edge
to know God’s love in Christ.
Pray for
Pray for the city and people of Cardiff, and all who visit for work or pleasure. Pray for all who work at Flat Holm, and all whose work involves caring for the natural world.
Hwyl Fawr
Strengthened by God's Spirit
and his love,
as immense as the sea
may our lives be a source of
delight to the Lord
and give glory to his name.Amen.
St Cadoc, pray for us.
St Baruc, pray for us.
St Gwalches, pray or us.
St Gildas, pray for us.
All the Saints of God, pray for us.
LINKS & INFO
South Cardiff Ministry Area provides pilgrimage to Flat Holm during the year. Check our our Flat Holm pilgrimage pages at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/flat-holm where you will also find links to other means of making a journey there.
Media
Check out a video of a Pilgrimage to Flat Holm in August 2023
Where Next?
Plan your journey to the next part of the Llanscape of Wales using our Google Maps Trail:
South Cardiff Ministry Area 