Tomorrow’s Feast of St Winefride commemorates story of a much-loved Welsh saint

Tomorrow, 3rd November, Catholic churches across the country will be commemorating the life and sanctity of Winefride, the renowned 7th century Welsh saint. Today, 2nd November is her actual feast day but, as it is also All Souls Day, her commemoration has been moved to tomorrow.

Born in Holywell, north Wales around 600AD, devotion to Winefride became so popular that by the Middle Ages she was one of Europe’s most renowned and widespread saints, and devotion to her has only grown with the passing centuries.

Born into wealthy family of landowners in Flintshire, and closely connected to the kings of south Wales, Winefride became attracted to the religious life through her uncle Beuno, who had built a small chapel and cell in a steep, secluded valley at Holywell. Although only 15 years old Winefride was one of his most regular and devout visitors, often passing whole nights watching in the little church. Under Beuno’s guidance she was preparing to consecrate her life to God when she attracted the unwelcome attentions of one Caradog. She refused his advances, broke free of his grasp, and attempted to flee to Beuno’s church for sanctuary – but Caradog caught up with her and in a rage took out his sword and decapitated poor Winefride. It is said that where her head fell a spring burst forth from the ground.

Hearing the commotion Beuno rushed out of his church to see the terrible sight. He cursed Caradog, who was swallowed up by a hole in the ground, and he prayed earnestly over Winefride, rejoining her head to her body, which was miraculously restored.

Whilst Winefride remained at Holywell, Beuno left shortly after, but before he departed he sat on large stone which remains to this day, and promised in the name of God “that whosoever on that spot should thrice ask for a benefit from God in the name of St. Winefride would obtain the grace he asked if it was for the good of his soul.” The stone can be seen in the outer pool, and it is said that the red stains on it were drops of Winefride’s blood.

Ever since, St Winefride’s Shrine and Well has become an extraordinary and popular place of pilgrimage and solace, especially for those seeking to bathe in its waters hoping to get relief and cures from a wide variety of common ailments. Now formally designated as a National Shrine within the Catholic Church, St Winefride’s currently attracts more than 30,000 visitors a year who come to experience the shrine’s unique and powerfully peaceful atmosphere.

The story of St Winefride has also found new relevance and resonance in more recent times as a place of comfort for those seeking answers and consolation having suffered domestic and other forms of abuse.

The shrine also attracts a large number of visitors who come to look in awe at the remarkable architecture and historic significance of the site. Most of the buildings date from the 16th century and it is a unique survival from the Reformation period when so many Catholic structures and historic sites were destroyed. Holywell is in fact the only place in the UK with a record of continuous pilgrimage since its records began in 1115, though venerations at the well and chapel undoubtedly reach right back to the 7th century.

St Winefride’s Well and Shrine is open daily throughout the year, and everyone is very welcome to visit – to bathe in its waters, to pray and to absorb the unique atmosphere of this most historic and significant of UK Catholic shrines.

To find out more, visit the shrine’s website: https://www.stwinefridesshrine.org