Today is the feast of Saint Melangell, patron saint of hares.
Her story traditionally begins with the Prince of Powys, Brochwel Ysgithrog, out hunting near Pennant in central Wales in the year 604. When his hounds chase a hare into a thicket at the end of a valley, the prince discovers a beautiful maiden at prayer . . . with the hare sheltering under the hem of her garment. The prince's hounds mysteriously flee as the maiden informs the prince that she is Melangell, daughter of an Irish king, and that she has fled her homeland to escape an arranged marriage. Moved by her concern and care for the hare, Prince Brochwel gives Melangell the valley as a place of sanctuary. Here she founded a community of women, serving as abbess for 37 years. Her shrine remains at St Melangell's Church, Pennant Melangell.
Artwork: Kay Leverton.
See also the previous post:
• Melangell, Patron Saint of Hares
• Saint Godric and the Hare
• The Hare and the Great Flood
• The Easter Hare
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