Saint for the 1st
March 2004
St. David
David, the patron saint of Wales, was born at the end of
the fifth century at Henfynyw, Cardigan. His father was a
prince named Sant; his mother was Saint Non. Legends of
David frequently allude to the Holy Spirit in the form of
a dove. It was recalled that as he learned to read the
psalms, a dove hovered at his lips, teaching him to
praise God.
He was credited with founding twelve monasteries, after
being educated at Ty Gwyn, by Saint Paulinus. Elected
abbot of the monastery of Ty Gwyn, he later moved to
Mynyw, at the south west corner of Wales, where he set up
a community who lived lives of incredible hardship --
deliberately undertaken to discipline their souls. Only
under extreme necessity were they allowed to speak. They
never ate meat or fish -- only bread, salt, and
vegetables and they tilled the land without the help of
oxen. They stayed awake in prayer from dusk on Friday
till day break on Sunday.
Saint David may well have been present at a synod called
at Brefi in Cardigan to condemn the heresy of Pelagius.
It was here, not only is the Holy Spirit said to have
alighted on his shoulder as he spoke; the earth to rose
in a hillock, to ensure that all could see and hear him.
David won a great victory over the Saxons, instructing
the Welsh soldiers to wear a leek in their headgear for
ease of recognition by their fellows on the battle field.
At the synod of Brefi, David is reputed to have been
recognised as Primate of Wales. Saint Debricius resigned
so that David could take his see and the
saint’s one, on condition in replacing Debricius,
was that he could move the see from Carleon
to Mynyw (now known as St Davids). There he died, saying
to his fellow-Christians, ' Rejoice. Hold fast to the
faith. And remember to fulfil those small tasks that you
have learned while you were with me.'
DAVID PATRON SAINT OF WALES
Richard F Sibley March 2004
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