Wenailus, St.
WENAILUS, ST.
Abbot; b. Brittany; d. c. 580–590. Wenailus (Guenael, Guenél, Guénaël) became a disciple of St. winwaloË, whom he succeeded as abbot of Landevennec. After 540 he spent some years in Ireland, founding or reforming a number of monasteries there, and then returned (c. 547) to Landevennec, where he died. His relics were brought to Paris (c. 950) during the Norman invasions and were later transferred to the Abbey of Corbeil.
Feast: Nov. 3.
Bibliography: Acta Sanctorum (Paris 1863—) 1:669–679. j.l. baudot and l. chaussin, Vies des saints et des bienheureux selon l'ordre du calendrier avec l'historique des fêtes, ed. by the Benedictines of Paris (Paris 1935–56) 11:97–98. g. a. lobineau, Les Vies des saints de Bretagne (Rouen 1725). j. loth, Les Noms des saints bretons (Paris 1910). f. morvannou, Saint Guénaë: études et documents (Brest 1997).
[o. l. kapsner]