Richard Gwyn: Defender of the Mass, Saint

Saint Richard Gwyn: Defender of the Mass:

Saint Richard Gwyn is one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. A passionate Welshman, this gifted Catholic wrote poetry and songs like the Welsh bards of old to express the Truths of the Catholic Faith during Penal Times. He was a school master, husband and father.

After studying in Douai he returned to Wrexham in Wales where he married Catherine and they had six children. It was known that Richard adhered to the outlawed Catholic Faith so he was pressured to conform. Although he was a pious, devout Catholic, outspoken and bold, he feared for the safety of his family and so attended one of the compulsory Anglican services. Afterwards, when he stepped outside the once Catholic church, which was now a Protestant church, a flock of crows swopped down, singled him out and attacked him. Saint Richard saw this as a sign that he had wounded the Heart of Jesus and vowed never again to betray Christ and His persecuted Catholic church.

Saint Richard became a hunted man. With his family he travelled about the country until he was eventually spotted by an anti-Catholic fellow who hunted priests and known recusants. Saint Richard was dragged to prison and loaded with chains.

At a sham trial he refused to acknowledge the Queen of England as the head of the Catholic Church, deny the Pope or accept the new Anglican religion. He rattled his chains loudly during enforced Protestant sermons, was put in the stocks and finally sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered at Wrexham market place.

People were moved and upset when this cheerful, good Catholic man was led out to die. He blessed his family and gave a stirring speech before he was executed for upholding the Catholic Faith in Wales. He is one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales and has left us an important witness especially for today.

In this film we journey with Saint Richard Gwyn through his life and destiny with a look at the fascinating history of Catholicism in Wales too.

Length and Format:

Saint Richard Gwyn: Defender of the Mass runs for 40 minutes and is available worldwide on region free DVD.