January 29

This saint was born around the year 500 in Britain. He set out as a young

man to practice a self-sacrificing lifestyle. He did this to help himself

become closer to God. Gildas was serious about his Christian commitment.

He felt the responsibility to pray and sacrifice for the sins committed by

the people of his times. He wrote sermons trying to convince people to give

up wickedness. He encouraged them to stop their lives of scandal. Because

Gildas cared so much, his writings sometimes seemed overly critical.

Actually, he didn't mean to condemn anyone. He was begging people to turn

to God.

Gildas was a spiritual man who lived a hermit's life. He didn't choose a

quiet, prayerful life because he wanted to keep away from the world around

him. He chose his life to help him grow closer to God. He was more aware

than the average person of some things that were very wrong in society.

Sadly, many people were not aware enough of God and his law. They did not

even realize the evils that were destroying them. That is why some people

in the Church--priests, bishops and laymen and women--went to Gildas for

advice about deeply spiritual matters.

Toward the end of his life, Gildas lived his hermit's life on a tiny

island in Brittany. Even though he wanted to be alone to prepare his soul

for death, disciples followed him there. He welcomed them as a sign that

the Lord wanted him to share his spiritual gifts with others.

Gildas was like the "conscience" of society. Sometimes we don't like to

hear about sin, but sin is real. Sometimes we, too, are tempted to do wrong

or are neglectful. Then we can say a little prayer to St. Gildas. We can

ask him to obtain for us the will power to do the right thing.