HIS father, who was called Caunus, and was king of certain southern
provinces in North Britain, was slain in war by king Arthur. St. Gildas
improved temporal afflictions into the greatest spiritual advantages,
and, despising a false and treacherous world, aspired with his whole
heart to a heavenly kingdom. Having engaged himself in a monastic state,
he retired with St. Cado, abbot of Llan-carvan, into certain desert
islands, whence they were driven by pirates from the Orcades. Two
islands, called Ronech and Ecni, afforded him for some time a happy
retreat, which he forsook to preach to sinners the obligation of doing
penance, and to invite all men to the happy state of divine love. After
discharging this apostolical function for several years, he retired to
the southwest part of Britain into the abbey of Glastenbury, where he
died and was buried in 512. William of Malmesbury[2] and John Fordun[3]
mention his prophecies and miracles. See F. Alford, an. 512. Dom
Lobineau, Saints de Bret. p. 72. Dom Morice, Hist. de Bret. t. 1, in the
notes.
Footnotes:
1. Mr. Gale has cleared up the dispute about the two Gildases, and
demonstrates this to have been a distinct person from the former,
which is also proved by Dom Lobineau and Dom Morice.
2. Gul. Malmesb. de Antiq. Glast.
3. Scoti-chron. c. 22.
On this day is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology, ST. SABINIANUS of
TROYES in CHAMPAGNE, a martyr of the third century. His festival is kept
at Troyes on the 24th. See Bollan. 29th Jan. p. 937. Tillem. Hist. des
Emp, t. 3, p. 541.
Also, ST. SULPICIUS, surnamed SEVERUS, Bishop of Bourges in 591. See
Greg. Tour. Hist. Franc. l. 6, c. 39. Gall. Christ. and Ben. XIV. Pref.
in Mart. Rom.