Feast Day: March 1st
Patronage: Wales, poets, vegetarians
Symbols: White dove, leek, hill rising beneath him
Early Life and Birth
Saint David, known in Welsh as Dewi Sant, was born around 500 A.D. in what is now Pembrokeshire, Wales. His lineage was noble—his father, Sant, was a chieftain, and his mother, Saint Non, was a pious woman of royal descent. According to legend, David was born during a fierce storm, symbolizing the strength and spiritual power he would later embody.
Education and Monastic Formation
From a young age, David was dedicated to the religious life. He studied under Saint Paulinus of Wales, a renowned teacher of the time, at a monastery in Henfynyw (Whitland). There, he became known for his sharp intellect, deep spirituality, and strict asceticism.
Following his education, David embarked on a missionary journey, traveling across Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and Ireland, spreading the Gospel and founding churches and monasteries. His influence in these regions was profound, shaping early Celtic monasticism.
The Monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (St Davids)
David eventually settled in Glyn Rhosyn (now St Davids, Pembrokeshire), where he founded a monastery that became a center of learning and spirituality. His monastic rule was severe, requiring monks to live a life of extreme austerity:
- They drank only water (hence his nickname, Aquaticus, “the water-drinker”).
- Their diet consisted of bread, herbs, and vegetables—no meat or dairy.
- The monks engaged in manual labor, including plowing fields without the help of oxen as an act of humility.
- They devoted themselves to constant prayer, study, and silence.
David’s monastery became a beacon of holiness, drawing disciples and scholars from all over Britain.
Synod of Llanddewi Brefi and His Elevation as Archbishop
In the mid-6th century, a great synod was convened in Llanddewi Brefi to address the growing heresy of Pelagianism, which denied the necessity of divine grace. As the synod debated, David was asked to speak. According to tradition, as he preached, the ground beneath him miraculously rose into a hill, so that all could see and hear him. A white dove descended upon his shoulder, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s presence.
His words were so powerful that the heresy was refuted, and the synod declared him Archbishop of Wales. Despite his humility, David accepted the role, becoming the spiritual leader of the Welsh Church.
Miracles and Teachings
David’s life was marked by numerous miracles and acts of divine favor. In addition to the Llanddewi Brefi event, legends recount that:
- He restored the sight of Saint Paulinus, his former teacher.
- He brought forth a spring of water by striking the ground.
- He miraculously fed a large crowd with bread, reminiscent of Christ’s multiplication of loaves.
His final words to his followers, recorded in tradition, were:
“Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.”
These words continue to inspire Welsh Christians today.
Death and Legacy
David died around 589 A.D., and his relics became a major pilgrimage site during the medieval period. Pope Callixtus II later canonized him in the 12th century, declaring that two pilgrimages to his shrine in St Davids Cathedral were equivalent to one pilgrimage to Rome.
Even today, March 1st (St David’s Day) is celebrated as a national holiday in Wales, marked by prayers, processions, and the wearing of daffodils or leeks, symbols associated with the saint.
Conclusion
Saint David of Wales stands as a model of holiness, humility, and devotion. His strict asceticism, missionary zeal, and leadership strengthened the Church in Wales, leaving an enduring spiritual legacy. His famous words—“Do the little things”—remind us that even the smallest acts of faith and love have great value in the eyes of God.