Saint Winifred (or Winefride; Welsh: Gwenffrewi; Latin: Venefreda or Vinifreda) was a Welsh virgin-martyr of the 7th century. Her story was celebrated as early as the 8th century, but became popular in England in the 12th, when her hagiography was first written down. She is the Patroness of Wales.
A healing spring at the traditional site of her decapitation and restoration is now a shrine and pilgrimage site called St Winefride’s Well in Holywell, Flintshire, Wales and known as “the Lourdes of Wales”.
St. Winifred is reputed to have been the daughter of the ruler of Tegeingl, Flintshire, Wales, and the sister of St. Beuno.
The saint was beheaded on 22nd June by an evil man called, Caradog, when she refused to submit to his wicked intentions.
Her brother, St. Beuno miraculously restored her head and her life, so that she is remembered as both Virgin and Martyr.
Sometime later, St. Winifred became a nun of the convent of the double monastery at Gwytherin in Denbigshire. Due to her sanctity and kindness, she was elected to become Abbess of the monastery, following died there fifteen years after her miraculous restoration to life.
The miraculous spring of St. Winifred, which first flowed where St. Winifred’s head fell, is called Holy Well or St. Winifred’s Well. It became a great pilgrimage centre, and remains one to this day, where many cures have been reported over the centuries. Most recently, His Majesty The King visited the Well in 2021.
In icons, she is depicted with the Crozier, or pastoral staff, of an Abbess; the Sword of her martyrdom; the veil of a Virgin; and the crown of a Welsh Princess.
Her feast day is 3rd November.