The Day of Saints - Day 14, Breaca

Companionship alongside suffering - a cross at Breage Parish Church

Yesterday, I wrote, indirectly, about the need to join with others. Companionship is such a valuable thing, and companionship in a task can be deeper still - the koinonia, or fellowship of believers drawn together within the purposes of God. The New Testament talks of bonds of love in Christ, and the church sharing a special relationship within itself, between its members and with Christ. In the early church we see evangelism fired up by the desire that others might come to share this bond:

"we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also

may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the

Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

But we also know the sense of oneness when part of the body of Christ hurts that is shared too.

"Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in

our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation." - 2 Corinthians 1:7

This sonnet rendering of the Breaca story seeks to bring out some of those themes.

FOR BREACA

The Midwife

Seven setting sail, companions we,

From Kildare, down to southern shadowlands,

To take the blessing in our Celtic bands,

And stir new faith, amidst the paganry.

Heaven, getting off that Cornish sea!

And up to Revyer, out on Hayle's sands,

There to warm with work my midwife's hands,

Those pregnant with the holy mystery.

But sharp they came to stain the waters red,

Our company did show salvation's worth,

Each carried praise unto a martyr's death -

Yet sundered we upon that bloody bed

Have lately seen new children brought to birth

On Pencaire's hill, and nursed in Chynoweth.

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St Breaca in stained glass at St Breage parish church