Saint Winwallus

Also known as
Bennoc
Guengalaenus
Guengaloeus
Guenole
Guingalois
Gunnolo
Gwenndo
Gweno
Ouignoualey
Valois
Vennole
Vinguavally
Waloway
Wingaloeus
Winwalde
Winwalloc
Winwalloe
Wonnow
Wynolatus
Wynwallow
Winwaloe
Memorial
3 March
28 February (translation of his relics)
Profile
His father was Fragan, a Welsh noble who had recently emigrated to Brittany to escape a Saxon invasion. Ward and spiritual student of Saint Budoc on Lauren Island. Monk. Following a pilgrimage at age 20 to key Saint Patrick related sites in Ireland, Winwallus founded Landevennec monastery with eleven fellow monks at Brest. Abbot. The initial monastery site had to be abandoned due to poor soil and harsh weather, but Winwallus spent the rest of his days at the second site.

Legend says he lived on rye bread and ashes, water, and prayer, that he slept on sand or piles of tree bark, and that these privations led to his performing many miracles. Several churches in Cornwall, including Anglican parishes, are dedicated to him, which may indicate that his relics were moved there after the Viking invasions of 914.
Born
c.462 at Plou-Fragan, Brittany, France
Died
3 March 530 of natural causes at Tibidi, Brittany, France
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
Representation
carrying a church on his shoulders
ringing a bell
Additional Information
Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholine Online
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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