Saint Dwynwen (also known as Dwyn or Donwen), was a Welsh female saint, and patroness of lovers. She is the Welsh counterpart of St Valentine.
Read the full St Dwynwen novena on the novena page. You can also learn more about novenas here.
What is St Dwynwen Known for?
Saint Dwynwen (also known as Dwyn or Donwen), was a Welsh female saint, and patroness of lovers. She is the Welsh counterpart of St Valentine. Pray this novena to find pure love or after a heartbreak.
Born in the fifth century, Dwynwen was born in Anglesey, the daughter of King Brychan Brycheiniog.
When she was a young woman, a man named Maelon Dafodrill fell in love with her, but Dwynwen declined his offer, since her father would not give his consent for her to marry him.
Dwynwen loved Maelon, and so she prayed for God’s grace to resolve the situation.
In answer, an angel gave her a potion that turned Maelon to ice. Not exactly what she wanted!
So Dwynwen prayed again, and God granted her three requests.
First, she prayed that Maelon be released. That was granted.
Second, that through her, God would look after all true lovers. Third, that she remain unmarried. All were granted.
In thanksgiving, St Dwynwen became a hermitess in Ynys Llanddwyn, until she died in AD 460.
While a hermitess St Dwynwen learned how to heal people with herbs and and became sought after for treatment from many of the Welsh.
Her feastday is January 25th.