Page 23 - Ninnau Jan-Feb 2021

Hiraeth for Heaven: Faith, Myth, and Love

By Rebecca Fox Blok remain a virgin in the service of but I also must affirm that
God. medieval people were neither
Editor’s note: He granted her these three more nor less foolish or gullible
Exchange Scholar Rebecca prayers and Dwynwen retired to than us moderns. So, I may
Fox Blok writes a blog a lonely island off the coast of think of Dwynwen’s story as a
Ynys Môn, or Anglesey in
bit absurd, but so is the
named Hiraeth for Heaven English, where she remained a Incarnation (God became a
that can be found at hermit until she died sometime helpless, homeless baby –
rebeccafox.wordpress.com. around the year 465 AD. Really?) and I stake everything
This island was named for her on that. Therefore, in all humili-
January 25 is Dydd Santes and to this day is called ty, I must have faith that, if it
were God’s will, such strange
Llanddwyn, which means “the
Dwynwen, St. Dwynwen’s Day Church of Dwynwen.” events could very well have
– the Welsh Valentine’s Day – Throughout the Middle Ages, happened.
which is more or less accurate. the church dedicated to But what if Dwynwen’s story
It is often celebrated as a Dwynwen was an important is a myth?
romantic occasion and, a couple shrine for Christians and attract- Being a myth would not mean
hundred years ago, was some- ed pilgrims from all over that the tale is worthless. Myths Tidal island of Llanddwyn, Angelsey
times observed by young Welsh Britain. themselves have great value.
swains giving their ladyloves Well, this past weekend, I After all, a myth is a story, and
beautifully carved wooden was one more pilgrim seeking Jesus sure liked to use stories to Christ is the eucatastrophe of al of her lover, Dwynwen finds
spoons as love tokens – proof St. Dwynwen’s refuge. I came, teach. Were His parables less Man’s history. The Resurrection joy in Love Himself and
not only of their affection, but as I always do to Celtic true for being only made up sto- is the eucatastrophe of the story becomes a symbol of Jesus’s
also of their skill as carvers (and Christian shrines, with a mix of ries? Christ, by expressing His of the Incarnation. This story love to others.
future providers). emotions. First is my excite- divine wisdom through His begins and ends in joy. It has Last night, Michael [my hus-
How did a fifth-century ment at visiting a historical site human imagination, redeemed pre-eminently the “inner consis- band] and I walked along the
Welsh princess become associ- of which I have read. Second is the human imagination and tency of reality.” There is no beach and across the stark paths
ated with romantic love? my wonder at participating in a made it something beautiful and tale ever told that men would that follow the perimeter of the
Well, it is a completely pilgrimage that has been the good and (in its own way) true. rather find was true, and none tiny, tidal island of Llanddwyn.
bizarre story. Perhaps I should means of bringing God’s com- Furthermore, as Tolkien would which so many sceptical men We did not do so alone, with
say “stories,” since there are fort and love to many of my have it, the Gospel itself is have accepted as true on its our marital love as our contem-
several. Here is one: medieval brothers and sisters – much like a myth or fairytale in own merits. For the Art of it has plative focus (although that
Dwynwen was in love with a we walk the same path together many ways, except that it is true the supremely convincing tone would have been nice as well).
handsome young man named with the same intent, separated in every sense. of Primary Art, that is, of Instead, we did so surrounded
Maelon, but her father wanted only by time. Third is my con- The Gospels contain a fairy Creation. by friends from our church with
to marry her off to another man. sternation at encountering a story, or a story of a larger kind whom we had shared worship,
When he discovered his love’s story as absurd as Dwynwen’s which embraces all the essence –J. R. R. Tolkien, “On Fairy- table fellowship, and prayer ear-
impending marriage, Maelon (Ice? Really?) connected to the of fairy-stories. They contain Stories” lier that day. As we walked
became furious and attempted faith that I hold dear. many marvels – peculiarly together, warmed by our con-
to assault her. Dwynwen prayed Once again, I am forced in artistic, beautiful, and moving: In Dwynwen’s story, we find versation and laughter in the
to God that He would deliver humility to admit that God can “mythical” in their perfect, self- a young woman, let down by wintry evening air, it was a dif-
her, and God sent an angel, who use whatever He wants for His contained significance; and the promises of earthly romantic ferent kind of love song that
turned Maelon to ice. glory, even something I think of among the marvels is the great- love, turning to the perfect love filled my heart.
Brokenhearted by her lover’s as silly. After all, it’s called a est and most complete conceiv- of Christ, the Church’s Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi
betrayal, Dwynwen prayed once miracle because it’s impossible able eucatastrophe. But this Bridegroom. This is one of est. [Where there is charity and
more, this time for three things: and, sometimes, miracles seems story has entered History and Tolkien’s so-called “eucatastro- love, God is there.]
that God would melt Maelon frivolous (water into wine any- the primary world; the desire phes” (in Greek, “eu-” means
and allow him to go free, that one?). I’m not saying I’m will- and aspiration of sub-creation “good” or “true” and “catastro-
God would bless all true lovers, ing to stake anything on the has been raised to the fulfill- phe” means “sudden turning”).
and that she would be allowed truth of St. Dwynwen’s story, ment of Creation. The Birth of Rather than despairing at her
to never marry, but instead to disappointments and the betray-

2021 North America Wales Foundation 2021

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The Exchange Scholarship program The Grants Program provides The Lloyd Family Travel Scholarship
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January-February 2021 NINNAU Page 23