Also known as Richard White, St. Richard was born in the former county of Montgomeryshire, Wales in 1547.
St Richard went to Oxford to study when he was 20 years old. However, he did not complete his degree and soon moved to Cambridge where was inspired by the Catholic master of St John's College, Dr George Bullock.
When Queen Elizabeth I ascended the throne in 1558, Bullock was pressured into resignation and St Ricahrd decided to leave Cambridge. After some time at the University of Douai, he returned to Wales and became a teacher in the Wrexham area. St Richard Gwyn has two schools dedicated to his name, one in nearby Flint and the other in South Wales at Barry.
He and his wife had six children but only three of them outlived him.
Arrested in 1579, he spent four years in prison before his execution by being hanged, drawn, and quartered at Wrexham on the 15th October for being a Catholic.
We decided that the LMS would hold a pilgrimage Mass on the closest Saturday to the actual feast day and this is the second year we have held a sung Mass. It was reasonably attended, with a few more present than last year. I didn't manage to speak to everyone, but five individuals went out of their way to praise the liturgy and expressed a desire to see it celebrated more often!
I am grateful to the Rt. Rev. Peter Brignall, the Bishop of Wrexham and Canon Simon Treloar for use of the Cathedral. My great thanks are also due to Canon Amaury Montjean of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest who was celebrant. The servers were led by Mr. Phillip Russell and cantors by Mr Christian Spence.