July 2nd - St. Oudeceus of Wales, Abbot

[Weedy]

July 2nd - St. Oudeceus of Wales, Abbot
(Also known as Oudoc, Oudocus, Eddogwy)

Died c. 600. About 545, the pious Prince Budic of Brittany, migrated with his family to Wales, where Saint Oudaceus is said to have been born soon after. Oudaceus was the disciple and nephew of Saint Teilo (f.d.February 9). Following the inspired training of Teilo, Oudaceus became a monk at Llandogo (and some say its bishop about 580). He succeeded his uncle as abbot of Llandeilo Fawr.

All that is known about Oudaceus comes from the "Book of Llan Dav," written about 1150 but incorporating some older material. Oudaceus is one of the four patrons of Llandaff cathedral, where his relics rested until 1540, although he was never bishop and is sometimes described as one, perhaps because of the efforts he made to persuade the abbots of Llancarfan, Llantwit, and Llandough to join forces against a corrupt local chieftain. The areas served by these monasteries approximates the later see of Llandaff.

Husenbeth, for example, relates the story that when Oudaceus excommunicated King Mauric of Glamorgan for killing Prince Cynedu, the king immediately repented because of the high esteem in which he held Oudaceus.

The feast of Saint Oudaceus appears on numerous English calendars, including Sarum, York, and Hereford, probably due to a belief that he presented himself to Saint Augustine of Canterbury (f.d. May 27) for consecration (Attwater2, Benedictines, Farmer, Husenbeth).

These Lives are archived at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celt-saints


Saint Quote:
The glory of God gives life; those who see God receive life. Men will therefore see God if they are to live; through the vision of God they become immortal and attain to God himself. God is the source of all activity throughout creation. He cannot be seen or described in his own nature and in all his greatness by any of his creatures. Yet he is certainly not unknown. Through his Word the whole creation learns that there is one God the Father, who holds all things together and gives them their being. As it is written in the Gospel, "No man has ever seen God, except the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father; he has revealed him." From the beginning the Son is the one who teaches us about the Father; he is with the Father from the beginning. The Word revealed God to men and presented men to God. Life in man is the glory of God; the life of man is the vision of God. If the revelation of God through creation gives life to all who live upon the earth, much more does the manifestation of the Father through the Word give life to those who see God.
-- Saint Irenaeus of Lyons from "Against the Heresies"


Bible Quote:
Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering." [2 Thes 1:4,5,] DRB


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Our Mother, Mary

Antiphon:

Thou art clement, thou art chaste,
Mary, thou art fair;
Of all mothers sweetest, best,
None with thee compare.

O Mother blest! whom God bestows
On, sinners and on just,
What joy, what hope, thou givest those
Who in thy mercy trust!
Antiphon: Thou art clement, etc.

O heavenly Mother! Mistress sweet!
It never yet was told
That suppliant sinner left thy feet
Unpitied, unconsoled.
Antiphon: Thou art clement, etc.

O Mother pitiful and mild!
Cease not to pray for me;
For I do love thee as a child,
And sigh for love of thee.
Antiphon: Thou art clement, etc.

Most pow'rful Mother! all men know
Thy Son denies thee nought;
Thou askest--wishest it--and, lo,
His power thy will has wrought.
Antiphon: Thou art clement, etc.

Mother of Love! for me obtain,
Ungrateful though I be,
To love that God Who first could deign
To show such love to me.
Antiphon: Thou art clement, etc.