Feast of Sts. Brioc and Tudwal (December 1)

Above:  The Breton Flag

SAINT BRIOC (DIED CIRCA 502)

Roman Catholic Abbot

His feast transferred from May 1

uncle of

SAINT TUDWAL (DIED CIRCA 564)

Roman Catholic Bishop of Treguier

Today I honor two saints from one family.  Both of these saints were foundational evangelists whose labors helped to convert the Breton population to Christianity.  Indeed, hindsight enables one to recognize their great contributions.

St. Brioc (died circa 502) is a mostly mysterious figure, for little certain knowledge of his life survives.  Many details of his life have become confused with another saint of the same name, so sometimes one does not know which St. Brioc did what.  Yet we do know that this St. Brioc was a Celt from Great Britain who settled in Brittany circa 480.  We also know that he founded monasteries and served as the first abbot of what became known as St. Brieuc.

We know more about St. Brioc’s nephew, St. Tudwal (died circa 564).  This saint, along with his mother, his sisters, and a group of monks, traveled to Brittany during the reign of their cousin, Deroc II (reigned 520-530) of Dumnonia, in that part of France.  The saint founded monasteries.  And, during a journey to visit King Chilldebert I of Paris (reigned 511-558) for the purpose of confirming land grants, the saint became a bishop.  St. Tudwal settled at the monastery at Treguier and became the first bishop of that see.

Today the memories of these saints’ lives live on in place names and the legacy of their evangelistic work continues in the lives of faithful Christians in Brittany.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

NOVEMBER 11, 2012 COMMON ERA

PROPER 27, YEAR B–THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

THE FEAST OF SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, SR., NATIONAL BAPTIST PASTOR

THE FEAST OF SOREN AABYE KIERKEGAARD, DANISH LUTHERAN THEOLOGIAN

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God of grace and glory, we praise you for your servants

Saint Brioc and Saint Tudwal,

who made the good news known in Brittany.

Raise up, we pray, in every country, heralds of the gospel,

so that the world may know the immeasurable riches of your love,

and be drawn to worship you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Isaiah 62:1-7

Psalm 48

Romans 10:11-17

Luke 24:44-53

—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 59