Today Is Dydd Santes Dwynwen, the ‘Welsh St. Valentine’s Day’

Today (Jan. 25) is Dydd Santes Dwynwen, sometimes called the Welsh St. Valentine’s Day. St. Dwynwen is the Catholic patron of lovers and her feast is therefore traditionally a day to celebrate romance and love in Wales. Dwynwen was a princess, the daughter of the 5th century Irish-born Welsh King Brychan Brycheiniog. Their’s was one of the most remarkable families in all history for sanctity, since Brychan is a canonized saint and his 24 children are all saints too! Brychan must have been quite a phenomenally excellent father and monarch, but his daughter Dwynwen was no less exceptional.

So how did a woman from a large family of saints, who never married herself, become the patroness of lovers, the namesake of a romantic holiday? It’s a story full of love, disappointment, sacrifice, and miracles. From Catholicsaints.info:

“Beautiful, pious and virtuous daughter of the 5th century Welsh king, Brychan of Brecknock. A certain Maelon fell in love with her, and wished to marry her. Though Dwynwen returned his love, her heart was set on becoming a nun, and she rejected him. She dreamt she was given a sweet drink which saved her from his attentions, but which turned the poor young man to ice. Realising that Maelon couldn’t help his love for her, she prayed that he be restored to life, that all lovers should find happiness, and that she never have the desire for marriage. Dwynwen became a nun and lived on Llanddwyn Island on the western coast of Ynys Mon (Anglesey), an area accessible only at low tide.”