CatholicSaints.Info

Saint Cadoc of Llancarvan

detail of a photograph of a stained glass window of Saint Catwg, Saint Martin's parish church, Caerphilly; taken by Radicalrobbo on 28 May 2009; swiped off Wikipedia Also known as

Cadoc of Wales
Cadoc the Wise
Cadocus…
Cadog…
Cadvaci…
Cadvael…
Cathmael…
Cattwg…
Docus…
Catrwg Ddoeth

Memorial

21 September
25 September on some calendars
formerly 24 January
formerly 23 January

Profile

Son of Saint Gwynllyw, a king in Wales, a robber chieftain who led a band of 300; his mother, Saint Gladys, had been stolen in a raid on a neighboring chief; brother of Saint Gluvias. Raised by an Irish monk; Cadoc’s father had stolen the monk‘s cow, and when he came to demand its return, the king decided it was sign. Studied in Wales and Ireland. Priest.

Once chased through a wood by an armed swineherd from an enemy tribe. His hiding place spooked an old, gray, wild boar that made three great leaps at him – then disappeared; Cadoc took this as a sign, and the location became the site of the great church and monastery at Llancarvan, Wales; the house became renowned for the learning and holiness of its monks.

Legend says he once saved his brother monks in a famine by tying a white thread to the foot of a (well-fed) mouse; he then following the thread to an abandoned, well-stocked, underground granary. Another time he and his brothers went out to meet a band of thieves, chanting and playing harps; it surprised the highwaymen so much, they turned and left.

Lived as a hermit with Saint Gildas on the Island of Flatholmes off Vannes, Brittany. Established a monastery on a small island just off Brittany, joined by a stone bridge so local children could walk out for school. Returned to Britain to evangelize, and work with Christian survivors of Saxon raids. Martyr.