On this January 29, we celebrate the memory of Saint Gildas the wise. Comes from a noble family in Great Britain, Gildas was born in Scotland towards the end of the fifth century when the Bretons, Roman citizens, fought against the Saxon invaders.

At the age of 25, Gildas went to a monastery in Wales to prepare for ordination. His spiritual director was a disciple of St. Germain d'Auxerre and he was ordained a priest in 518, at the same time he received the nickname "the Wise". Many of his fellow citizens converted, marvelling at the simplicity of his holiness.

After he has converted his fellow citizens he passed through Ireland and then on to Armorica. He first settled on the island of Houat on the banks of the Rhuys River and founded an abbey there in view of a large number of his disciples. Nowadays, this place is named after him.

The most famous of his work is the "De la ruine de la Bretagne", about the fall of Roman civilisation which could not withstand the attacks of the Saxons. He also wrote books on the worship of the Celtic churches and the history of Britain. Gildas died in 573 in Rhuys and his relics are still preserved and venerated in the abbey he founded there. He is both the "Apostle of Brittany" and the patron saint of the diocese of Vannes.