Thursday 22 July 2010

FATHER CHARLES BROWN S J

Charles Brown was in fact, the alias of Fr Charles Gwynne. Like most priests in England during Penal Times, he refrained from using his real name for safety reasons. He sometimes used the names of ‘Bodvel’ or ‘Bodwell’. Charles Gwynne was born in 1582, the son of Thomas Wynn of Boduan, Pwllheli, and Elizabeth, daughter of Owen ap Gruffydd of Plas Du. They brought up their son Charles in the Protestant religion. While on a visit to his mother’s brother, Hugh Owen, in Brussels, Charles was reconciled to the Catholic Church by Fr J Chambers. Charles entered the English College in Rome and was ordained there in 1613. He became a Jesuit in 1620.

In 1623, Fr Brown was sent on the Welsh mission of St Francis Xavier. In 1625 he became its Rector, succeeding Fr John Salisbury, and was instrumental in establishing the mission’s headquarters at the Cwm, Llanrothal. The Morgans of Llantarnam were generous benefactors. Fr Brown secured from his uncle, Hugh Owen, funds for maintaining a Welsh scholar at Rome. Coincidentally, it was this fund which made it possible for Fr Brown to enable a future Rector, David Lewis, to enter the English College in 1638. (David Lewis was martyred in 1679 and canonised in 1970.)

In 1618, Fr Brown inherited Hugh Owen’s fortune. To commemorate his munificent uncle, Fr Brown erected a tablet to his memory at the English College in Rome.

Fr Charles Brown was another Welsh Jesuit who, under hazardous circumstances, played a major part in the life of the Cwm and the continuance of the Catholic Faith in Wales. This dedicated priest died in 1647.
FOR RELATED POSTS CLICK BELOW.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST DAVID LEWIS
SUNDAY, 29th AUGUST 2010
3:00 p m - MASS AT SS FRANCIS XAVIER AND DAVID LEWIS CHURCH, PORTH-Y-CARNE STREET, USK
PROCESSION TO THE MARTYR'S GRAVE
REFRESHMENTS IN THE PARISH HALL

7 comments:

  1. Hello again. I've completed the prayer meme. Thanks for the invitation to take part.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know Breadgirl, this thought keeps coming to mind. You write very well about St David and the life and times of the people around him. No doubt you do a lot of research to write these interesting stories and posts.

    Have you thought of compiling them into a book? It would make a lovely reference book regarding the history of your part of Wales and about St David - and easy reading too judging from your style of writing.

    Just a thought - sorry to interfere. I'll go and hide away once more.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good Morning Miss Ellen E
    I have had a look at yours and at those you tagged. It got a little difficult finding bloggers who had not been tagged but it was fun wasn't it. It is nice to share favourite prayers too. Thanks and God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good Morning Victor
    Don't you dare hide away! And it is not interfering. I take it as a great compliment, so thank you very much. I had not thought of compiling them into a book but you have given me something to consider. The only problem is that I have no idea how to go about such an undertaking. But, I will think about your suggestion and I thank you for your kindness. God bless you, Victor.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anytime you wish to discuss this off-line, you can contact me via my website: www.holyvisions.co.uk

    If I can help - I will.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Victor
    Thanks for the offer. I might think about it. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good morning Victor
    I've thought about it and I will stick to just blogging! Thanks though for the compliment. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete

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