Saint Gwenhael (French: Guénaël;[1]Breton: Gwenael; Old Breton: Gwenhael) was a Breton saint of the 6th century, born at Ergué-Gabéric (Finistère), the second abbot of Landévennec Abbey, successor in 532 to the founder, Saint Winwaloe (Gwenole). According to tradition, Winwaloe met Gwenaël in a street in Quimper when he was eleven, and was so convinced of his gifts that he at once obtained permission from Gwenaël's parents for him to study under his direction. The feast of Saint Gwenaël is 3 November. His Vita was written in the 9th century.[2]
Gwenaël is said to have restored several monasteries in Ireland, but his cult is mostly found in the west of Brittany, as can be established after some deciphering of the various forms his name has taken. The church of Ergué-Gabéric (Finistère) is dedicated to him, under the name of "Saint Guinal" (guuin = gwen), and this, together with its proximity to Quimper, has given rise to the suggestion that he may have been born there.
He is also said to have founded a monastery at Caudan (on the territory of the present Lanester), where there is a chapel of Saint Guénaël, and to have died there in about 590. His relics were translated to Corbeil.
The saint's name is composed of the Breton elements gwenn "white, fair; blessed" and hael "generous". According to Gwennole Le Menn[year needed], the saint's name is to be found in a number of placenames, including Locunel in Caudan, Saint-Guinel in Mauron, Saint-Guénal and Saint-Vinnel in Poullaouen, Lanvenaël in Plomeur, Saint-Vénal and Saint-Guénal in Landivisiau and Saint-Vénal in Saint-Pol-de-Léon. Kervénal also occurs three times, in Côtes-d'Armor, Finistère and Morbihan.
The surnames Guénal, Guénel, Trévinal and Kervennal doubtless have a connection with this saint's name, either directly or through a place name, such as the examples above.
Referencesedit
^In French and historically, also Gwenaël, Guénault, and Guénaud
gwenhael, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, april, 2019, lear. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Gwenhael news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message Saint Gwenhael French Guenael 1 Breton Gwenael Old Breton Gwenhael was a Breton saint of the 6th century born at Ergue Gaberic Finistere the second abbot of Landevennec Abbey successor in 532 to the founder Saint Winwaloe Gwenole According to tradition Winwaloe met Gwenael in a street in Quimper when he was eleven and was so convinced of his gifts that he at once obtained permission from Gwenael s parents for him to study under his direction The feast of Saint Gwenael is 3 November His Vita was written in the 9th century 2 GwenhaelBorncirca sixth centuryErgue Gaberic FinistereDiedcirca 590Caudan Brittany FranceVenerated inRoman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox ChurchFeast3 NovemberBackground editGwenael is said to have restored several monasteries in Ireland but his cult is mostly found in the west of Brittany as can be established after some deciphering of the various forms his name has taken The church of Ergue Gaberic Finistere is dedicated to him under the name of Saint Guinal guuin gwen and this together with its proximity to Quimper has given rise to the suggestion that he may have been born there He is also said to have founded a monastery at Caudan on the territory of the present Lanester where there is a chapel of Saint Guenael and to have died there in about 590 His relics were translated to Corbeil The parish churches of Bolazec Lescouet Gouarec and Treguidel are also dedicated to him The saint s name is composed of the Breton elements gwenn white fair blessed and hael generous According to Gwennole Le Menn year needed the saint s name is to be found in a number of placenames including Locunel in Caudan Saint Guinel in Mauron Saint Guenal and Saint Vinnel in Poullaouen Lanvenael in Plomeur Saint Venal and Saint Guenal in Landivisiau and Saint Venal in Saint Pol de Leon Kervenal also occurs three times in Cotes d Armor Finistere and Morbihan The surnames Guenal Guenel Trevinal and Kervennal doubtless have a connection with this saint s name either directly or through a place name such as the examples above References edit In French and historically also Gwenael Guenault and Guenaud Saint Guenhael nbsp nbsp This article about a French saint is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gwenhael amp oldid 1154642687, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
