Saint Saint Caradoc

Caradoc or Caradog (died 1124) was a reclusive Welsh priest, widely respected for his sanctity. An inquiry into his qualifications for sainthood was commissioned in 1200 and, although such inquiry did not proceed, he has long been venerated as if papally canonised. Prior to canonisation of the Forty Martyrs in 1970, he was regarded as the last Welshman to become a saint. A native of Brecknockshire, Caradoc obtained a place at the court of Rhys ap Tewdwr who ruled much of South Wales in the late eleventh century. At court he played several musical instruments, most notably the harp, and was admitted to considerable intimacy with Rhys. However, when he lost two of his master’s most valuable greyhounds, Rhys threatened him with mutilation and death. Caradoc responded by declaring “I will go and serve another Master who values men higher than hounds” and embarked upon a celibate and monastic life. Making a staff from his lance, he journeyed to Llandaff with some companions and there received the clerical tonsure from Bishop Herewald. For some time afterwards his devotions were conducted at the church of St Teilo (at what is now Llandeilo) but, seeking a more isolated place in which to practise his faith, he removed to the deserted shrine of St Cenydd at Llangennech. There he cleared the thorns and thistles from a site next to the burial-ground and constructed a dwelling that served as his first oratory. His reputation for sanctity became widespread and he went to St David’s (then known as Meneva) either in response to a summons from Bishop Bernard or in submission to divine instruction. At St David’s he was ordained a priest and displayed supposed healing powers when, by a touch of his hand, the edema of a young woman was dispersed. He next withdrew to “the island called Ary” on the Pembrokeshire coast.