Saint Guénolé: Life, Foundation, and Prayers
Saint Winwaloe founded the Abbey of Landévennec, at the far end of Brest Harbor in Brittany, in the 5th century. It was Saint Patrick who appeared to him and entrusted him with this mission. Saint Winwaloe is celebrated on March 3 and is the patron saint of ophthalmologists and the wives of fishermen. He is particularly invoked for healing conjunctivitis. Winwaloe, along with all his brothers and sisters, was declared a saint by the Church.
Biography of Saint Winwaloe
Saint Winwaloe was born in the 5th century (sources do not provide a precise date) in Ploufragan (or Plouguin), in Armorica. He came from a noble family. His father, Saint Fragan, and his mother, Saint Gwen, are said to have arrived in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, most likely from Wales. They then settled in Ploufragan (in the Côtes-d’Armor). Winwaloe had two older brothers, twins named Jacut and Wethenoc, and a younger sister, Creirwy. Legend has it that he performed a miracle for his younger sister. One day, a goose pecked out and ate Creirwy’s eye. She ran home screaming in pain. When Winwaloe returned home, he found his parents at Creirwy’s bedside, deeply worried. The young boy then decided to go and retrieve his sister’s eye. He went to where the geese were kept and slit open the belly of the one that matched Creirwy’s description. Winwaloe retrieved the eye, returned home, and gave it back to his sister while making the sign of the cross over her. Her sight was restored immediately. It is certainly thanks to this miracle that Saint Winwaloe is considered the patron saint of ophthalmologists.
While still a child, in 470, he was entrusted to Saint Budoc to be educated within the walls of his hermitage on Lavret Island, in the Bréhat archipelago. Legend has it that when Fragan took his three sons by boat to Lavret Island, a violent storm broke out. Then Winwaloe stood up and calmed the waves with a simple sign of the cross. Since then, he has been invoked for the safety of sailors.
Around 485, Winwaloe wanted to set out for Ireland to pay his respects at the tomb of Saint Patrick, who had recently died. But Saint Patrick appeared to him in a dream, advising him to stay in Armorica and entrusting him with the mission of founding an abbey: “Instead of making this distant and pointless journey, you would do better to establish a new monastery in Brittany, since you still have only one.”
So Winwaloe set out with eleven other disciples of Saint Budoc and settled on Tibidy Island (a small islet located at the mouth of the Faou River, at the far end of Brest Harbor), which has been tentatively translated as “the island of the house of prayer.” The twelve men settled at Hôpital-Camfrout (a town in Finistère). “Traveling westward through the regions of Domnonée and thus reaching the borders of Cornouaille, he and his aforementioned companions were finally fortunate enough to find a place to stay on the island called Thopépigie [Tibidy],” wrote Winwaloe’s successor at Landévennec Abbey, Gurdisten, in his work "Life of Saint Winwaloe." Thus they founded their first abbey.
Legend has it that three years later, in 490, Winwaloe miraculously opened a passage through the sea and went on to found a new abbey on the opposite bank of the estuary, at Landévennec. This abbey quickly became an important site in Brittany, attracting numerous pilgrims.
It is said that Winwaloe was responsible for numerous miracles, particularly healings, but also a multitude of conversions.
Saint Winwaloe gave his soul to the Lord around 532, probably on March 3. The day before his death, he had chosen his successor, celebrated Mass, and gone to confession.
Praying with Saint Winwaloe
Prayer by Bishop Dognin for vocations at Landévennec Abbey
“Lord our God, we entrust to you our diocese and all who dwell within it.
Stir up within our Church the vocations of priests, deacons, men and women religious, consecrated persons, and lay faithful that we need so that our parishes may serve their brothers and sisters and proclaim to them the Good News of Salvation
Grant also, Lord, vocations to the monastic life at Landévennec Abbey. Fill our families with your mercy; may they be homes of love and living stones of the Church
Grant that all who do not know You may thirst for Your truth, and that we, the baptized, may bring them the joy of the Gospel and a fraternal presence.”
Prayer of Devotion to Saint Winwaloe
“O Saint Winwaloe, fervent servant of God, you who led a life of humility and devotion, enlightened by faith and divine love, we come to you on this day dedicated to your memory.
You who, through your wisdom and guidance, founded the Landévennec Abbey, making it a beacon of spirituality and learning, intercede for us before the Lord.
In our moments of doubt and trial, be our guide, as you were for your monks and your faithful. Grant us the strength to overcome life’s obstacles, remaining steadfast in our faith and convictions.
Saint Winwaloe, protector of lost souls and hearts seeking peace, pray for us. May we, through your intercession, find comfort in our sorrows, light in our darkness, and hope in our despair.
We also ask you to watch over our families, our friends, and all those in need, bringing support and comfort to those who suffer.
May your exemplary life inspire us to live according to the teachings of Christ, to love without measure, and to serve others with humility and compassion. Amen.”
Prayer to Saint Winwaloe for Protection
“Saint Winwaloe, protector of sailors and fishermen, we turn to you today, guided by the life and hope of your intercession.
In the turmoil of life, as on the turbulent waves of the sea, be our refuge and our steadfast anchor.
Grant us your inner strength to face storms and trials and to sail with confidence toward safe shores.
May your light illuminate our path and your wisdom guide our decisions.
Saint Winwaloe, humble and devout, we pray that you watch over us, so that, through your grace, we may find peace and grace in our lives.”
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