Wednesday, 29 January 2014 St. Gildas the Wise, Abbot (6th century)

SAINT GILDAS THE  WISE (or Gildas of Rhuys) Abbot (c. 500-570 or 581)         St. Gildas was a 6th-century British monk. He learned, from the instructions and examples of the most eminent servants of God, to copy in his own life whatever seemed most perfect.         His renowned learning and literary style earned him the designation Gildas Sapiens (Gildas the Wise).         He wrote eight canons of discipline, and a severe invective against the crimes of the Britons, called De Excidio Britanniae and he also wrote an invective against the British clergy, whom he accused of sloth of seldom sacrificing at the altar.         He fell asleep in the Lord in 570 or in 581