Beuno

Feast day:  April  21

Abbot of Clynnog (640).

Beuno was born in Powys, supposedly at Berriew, the grandson of a prince of that realm. After education and ordination in the monastery of Bangor-on-Dee in north-east Wales, he became an active missionary, Cadfan, King of Gwynedd, being his generous benefactor.

Cadwallon, Cadfan’s son and successor, deceived Beuno about some land and, when the saint demanding justice, proved unsympathetic. Thereupon, Cadwallon’s cousin Gwyddaint, in reparation, “gave to God and Beuno forever his township” of Clynnog Fawr, where the saint founded the famous abbey.

Beuno became the guardian and restorer to life of his niece, the virgin Saint Winefride. He was relentless with hardened sinners, but full of compassion to those in distress. Before his death “on the seventh day of Easter” he had a wondrous vision.