Celtic Saints - Owen

A Miller in Wales wanted his son Owen to be priest. So he saved up the profits from his mill, and sent his son to the school. Owen learned to read the Bible and also how to lead worship. After five years Owen was ordained, and returned to his village as a priest.

Owen wished to remain poor and celibate so that he could devote himself wholly to his priestly work. But while Owen had been away an older priest had taken charge of the village church; and Owen was shocked to discover that this priest had three women living with him, and that he lent money to the poor at extortionate rates of interest. Deciding that he could not work under such a wicked man, he began to serve the animals instead.

At night he slept in his father’s mill, and in the morning he went out into the fields to talk to the sheep and cattle. He always had with him a large Bible, from which he would read to

the animals; and at night he put the Bible under his head as a pillow.

At first the villagers thought Owen was mad.They laughed and jeered at him during the day, and at night they were afraid to go near him, for fear that he might attack them. But soon they noticed how much the sheep and cattle loved him, gathering round and listening to his gentle voice.

The old priest was so busy making money and enjoying himself that he had no time to teach the people. So two young men, hungry for true spiritual food, went out one day to join the animals. Impressed with Owen’s words, the next day they invited their

friends. Soon almost everyone in the village went into the fields to hear Owen preach — even on Sundays. So the village church was empty.

Eventually the corrupt priest died, and the people invited Owen to replace him. From that moment on the people never killed an animal for meat; they only took wool from the sheep and milk from the cows.They said that, since these animals had taught them to respect Owen’s madness, they must respect the animals.

A Prayer

Lord our Father, 

each morning you welcome us as we are; 

give us a heart that is pure and free, 

to receive your Word, 

and discover in our brothers and sisters 

the message of life that you bring us, 

through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord. Amen