Denver, Colo., Feb 3, 2013 / 06:15 am
Among Welsh Catholics, Feb. 9 is the liturgical memorial of Saint Teilo, a sixth-century monk and bishop who led the Church in the Llandaff area of present-day Cardiff. His time as bishop included a major disease outbreak, which forced the local church and its leader into temporary exile.
Though many details of his life are lost or unknown, the remaining evidence makes it clear that Teilo was an important and revered figure, who became a popular namesake for churches in Wales. St. Teilo is sometimes known under alternate versions of his name, including "Theliau" and "Eliud."
While it is unclear exactly when Teilo was born, he is described as having lived to old age by the time of his death around 560, making it likely that his life began during the second half of the preceding century.
There are indications that Teilo's father was a man named Usyllt, who may have been canonized as "Saint Issell." A clearer connection exists between Teilo and the well-known Welsh patron Saint David, Teilo's fellow monk and bishop, who was also his cousin. Finally, it appears that Teilo's nephew, St. Oudaceus, succeeded him as the Bishop of Llandaff.