O great St David, still we hear thee call us...On Cambria's land stretch forth thy hands in blessing!

Today is the feast of St David of Wales, the great patron saint of the Welsh – who are more correctly known as the ancient Britons. The Saint is known in Welsh as Dewi Sant, Sant Dafydd or Dewi Ddyfrwr (David the Waterman). This latter title alludes to his ascetic monasticism, which only allowed the drinking of water, as well as to his missionary zeal which led to his baptising of many souls.

Pope Benedict XVI's reflection on St David

During last year's Papal visit, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the new mosaic of St David at Westminster Cathedral (shown in the picture above). The mosaic had been commissioned by the Bishops of Wales, and was designed by Ifor Davies - a well known Welsh artist (see here). After blessing the mosaic, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about St David whilst addressing the people of Wales. This is what the Holy Father said about Wales's patron: -

Saint David was one of the greatest saints of the 6th century, that golden age of saints and missionaries in these isles, and he was thus a founder of the Christian culture which lies at the root of modern Europe. David's preaching was simple yet profound: his dying words to his monks were, 'Be joyful, keep the faith and do the little things'. It is the little things that reveal out love for the one who loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19) and that bind people into a community of faith, love and service. May Saint David's message, in all its simplicity and richness, continue to resound in Wales today, drawing the hearts of its people to renewed love for Christ and his Church.

The Pope ended his greeting with the words: Bendith Duw ar bobol Cymru! God bless the people of Wales!

Traditions and festivities associated with St David's Day

In Wales, as well as other places where the Welsh find themselves, St David’s Day is a major event in the annual calendar. In many places an eisteddfod is held – where participants rejoice in music, song, the recitation of poetry, and dancing. Many families also sit down to enjoy a special broth or stew, called cawl.

Depending on where the person is from in Wales either a daffodil or a leek is worn as a sign of dedication to the Saint’s cult. The daffodil, in Welsh cenhinen pedr (St Peter’s leek) is normally worn in the North, whilst those from South Wales wear a leek (which is one of St David’s symbols in hagiography).

Many places hold parades nowadays, as well as week-long festivities. There had also been a call by the people of Wales for the National Assembly to officially establish 1 March as a bank holiday throughout the Principality. Many churches and official buildings raise the banner of

St David on this day – though other places, including Westminster Abbey, fly the Red Dragon flag.

Who was St David? His Life and times...

Rhygyfarch wrote a detailed account of this holy man’s life in his Buchedd Dewi Sant / Vita Sancti Davidi (which was written in Welsh and Latin) and we also have extra details concerning the saint from the hand of the famous travel-writer and medieval social commentator, Gerald of Wales. Both these men used ancient sources and texts when penning St David’s story, and were very concerned that Rome recognise him as a fully canonised saint of the Catholic Church, a legitimate Archbishop of the pre-Augustinian Church in Britain, and a Patron to the ancient British peoples, y Cymry.

Their campaign, along with that of many other men such as Bishop Bernard of St David’s, was successful and in 1120 Pope Callixtus II canonised David – naming him patron of the Welsh. Amongst the four patron saints of the modern-day nations that inhabit the British Isles, St David is the only one to have emerged from his own people. St George (England) was from the Middle East and lived on this earth centuries before England came into being; St Andrew (Scotland) was a disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Galilee; and St Patrick (Ireland) was an ancient Briton who showed heroic virtue in saving the very savages who had enslaved him as a boy. Seeing that all these nations have excellent saints, born and bred amongst them, it seems rather strange that they cling to the patronage of men from other shores.

David's birth and early life - God's crucible prepares a soul

David was born sometime in the late 5th century. It is probably correct to assume that this would have been around the year 489 – as he is said to have lived to be a hundred and died in 589. He both entered the world and left it on 1 March. According to Rhygyfarch, David was conceived as a result of a violent union between Sandde (or Sant), younger son of Ceredig, Patriarch and King of Ceredigion, and the St Non, a holy woman and nun who founded several shrines within the kingdom. Having said this, Rhygyfarch also claimed that David was a direct descendant of the Virgin Mary’s sister! His vita starts with this genealogy presented here in the original Middle Welsh: -

“Dafyd vab Sant, vab Kredic, vab Kuneda, vab Edyrn, vab Padarn beisrud, vab Deil, ab Gordeil, vab Dwfyn, vab Gordwfyn, vab, Amgnod, vab Amweryc, vab Omyt, vab Peru, vab Dubun, vab Ongen, vab Avallach vab Eugen, vab Eirdolen, vab chwaer Veir Wyry, mam Iessu Grist.”

It is claimed that when Sandde was walking alone near a spot where St Patrick had once set off for Ireland he set eyes upon the chaste Non he was unable to resist the temptation to rape her (“ymauael a hi, a dwyn treis arni”). As is His purpose, God turned this evil event into something that would bring about great good and acts of charity.

St David’s Life reads very much like a gospel, in that the birth narrative echoes the early part of Luke’s Gospel. In fact, David shared in Christ’s ability to perform wonders in the womb, as he was the cause of prophesy whilst yet unborn. Rhygyfarch tells us that when St Non went to hear St Gildas (see here) preach at a local church the holy scholar was dumb-struck. Eventually, he managed to ask whether there were any women with child in the congregation. Non announced herself, telling him that she was in such a condition. Gildas then asked her to leave the building. The moment she left Gildas was able to preach clearly and loudly (“yn eglur, ac yn uchel”). After his sermon, and after Mass, the people asked him what had happened to make him unable to speak. Calling Non to himself Gildas said that the child in her womb was destined for greater things than he, and that God had given David the privilege of being the everlasting chief saint of the Welsh, and also would be given authority over all peoples on the British Isles: -

“rodes Duw breint a phennaduryaeth seint Kymry yndragwydawl…yr hwnn a rodes Duw idaw pennaduryaeth ar bawb o’r ynys honn.”

For this reason, St Gildas said, it would have been better for him to leave for another land than disrespect the child in Non’s womb by preaching to him.

David was born during a violent storm, whilst Non sought shelter near a cliff-edge. God made radiant and peaceful the spot where she delivered – and the site is now, and has been ever since that time, a place of pilgrimage, known as the Chapel of St Non.

During his baptism St David managed to perform two miracles. First, a spring appeared at an appointed site, so that he could be baptised. Secondly, the priest who held him during the sacrament was blind, but when David was re-born in the waters of new life the priest recovered his sight. A similar wonder occurred when the Saint went to Whitland to be schooled for the priesthood by Saint Paulinus (St Paul Aurelian). The holy teacher was beginning to lose his sight and asked the saintly boy to bless his eyes – and upon doing so Paulinus was able to see clearly once more. In thanksgiving the elderly teacher blessed David with every blessing found in both the old and new laws of the holy scriptures: -

“…heb ef wrth y mab, “dyro dy law ar vy wyneb i, a bendicka ve llygeit, a mi avydaf holl iach.” A phan rodes Dauyd y law ar ei lygeit ef ybuant holl iach, Ac yno bendigawd Paulinus Dauyd o bop bendith a geifft yn ysgrifennedic yn y dedyf hen ac yn y newid.”

Soon after his education David went off to found the Abbey at Glastonbury. In the Middle Ages the abbots at Glastonbury disputed this version of events – as they had claimed that it was Our Lord himself who had founded the monastery, and dedicated it to his own Mother. Having said that, they did not want to deny themselves a link to an important Saint (Pope Callixtus II had decreed that two pilgrimages to St David’s, Menevia, were worth one to Rome), so the Abbots agreed that a portion of the Abbey had indeed been built by the holy Welshman. It is said that Henry VIII stole St David’s altar during the Reformation.

The missionary activities of the pre-Augustinian saint

Rhygyfarch gives a list of the many churches and holy wells that St David established during his early ministry, including many in Wales, the West Country and Brittany. He also established one holy place, which he claimed an angel had told him to do. Apparently, the angel told him that anyone buried there, who had died in the true faith, would not descend into Hell. Obviously, this churchyard became very a popular resting place!

During his missionary activity, and his re-confirming and re-vitalising of the faith of his people, St David had gathered about him a community of disciples – men from the towns and villages he had preached in. These men included, “Aedan, …Eluid (Teilo), [and] Ysmael”. After discerning the will of God they were led to a place, called “Glyn Rosyn” in order to found a monastery.

Unfortunately, there was an Irish chieftain living in the area that David had chosen as the site for his monastery. This Irish chief, called Bwya (Boya)was one of the many who had plundered Britain after the fall of Rome in 410. Bwya had a lascivious wife and many beautiful maidservants. Not wanting to be disturbed by a bunch of “holy men”, the Irishman sent his wife and servant girls to tempt the monks into sin – but, needless to say, the men of God were having none of it! They were men who would recite the psalms in the cold sea and never gave in to anything stronger than water to drink – so it wasn’t very likely that the women’s charms would lead them away from God! Eventually the Irish warlord, angry at having his life of debauchery disturbed, decided to kill St David and his monks. On the day that Bwya had appointed for the murder, in the early hours, as he lay asleep, God sent a fire from heaven to dispatch the Irish Chief and his whole household and followers! As the flames consumed these evil men, St David began his work of establishing a permanent monastery – which is now known as St David’s Cathedral.

St David's monastic rule - humanity stripped bare before God

As David’s monastery flourished a rule was established – which was similar to the types of monastic rules found in the desert, written by men like St Pachomius. It could be said, though, that this British form of monasticism was much harsher than that found amongst the Desert Fathers. The monks, who lived only on bread and herbs for sustenance, consumed no alcohol. They weren’t allowed draught animals, such as oxen, and pulled the plough themselves. They bathed in freezing cold water, so as to keep their bodies free from passions. The practice of mortification and penance adopted by the brothers was also much harsher than that used by St Bernard at Clairvaux (which resulted in the deaths of many novices before he made some changes!).

St David’s fame as a spiritual leader became widespread and many people came to hear him preach, or to seek guidance and advice in the Christian life – including St Constantine, former King of Dumnonia (who joined his monastic community). It is at this time that the Saint began to be known as David Aquaticus (David the Waterman), mainly for his vow of temperance at a time when drinking mead and getting drunk seemed a daily obligation for so many men. Like another monastic founder, St Benedict, David was nearly poisoned by a jealous enemy as his fame grew – but was saved thanks to one of his disciples, by then a founder a monastery in Ireland, who wrote to him warning of the plot. David allowed his food to be poisoned and then fed the fatal bread to a crow, which immediately fell off its perch. Not content with this grace, though, St David went on to eat the rest of the poisoned food, after blessing it, to show his disciples that all is for the good for those who love God!

After spending years confirming the faith of the Welsh, St David decided to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the early 540s. His travelling companions were Ss Teilo and Padarn (see here). All three were consecrated bishops by the Patriarch John III of Jerusalem. Some chroniclers, though, claim that they were consecrated by the Pope, whilst travelling through Rome – it might be that David was ordained to the episcopacy in Jerusalem, whilst Teilo and Padarn were ordained by the Bishop of Rome.

As the three holy men returned home, the British Church was in the midst of a crisis. One of the leading clerics of the Church, Pelagius, had been preaching heresy – and this false doctrine of his (known as Pelagianism) was causing discord and disunity. The Bishops of Britain, including St Deiniol of Bangor and Archbishop Dyfrig of Ergyng, invited St David to address an emergency Synod at Llanddewi Brefi. During this meeting the Saint spoke so eloquently that the ground he was standing on rose to form a small hill, so that the crowds could hear his teaching.

During this special ecclesiastical meeting, Archbishop Dyfrig resigned his See and the Synod appointed David as Archbishop of Britain. He in turn moved the archiepiscopal see from Caerleon (site of the martyrdom of Ss Aaron and Julius in 303) to St David’s (also known as Mynyw or Menevia). Rhygyfarch tells us that this happened so that Britain would have an apostolic leader and rock for its Church, just as “Peter was for Rome, Martin in France, and Samson in Brittany.”

“...Phedyr yn Ruvein, a Martyn yn Freink, a Samson yn Llydaw, y rodes Dauyd Sant vot yn ynys Brydein.”

St David's death: "Be joyful and keep the faith and the creed"

St David’s was foretold of his death in a dream, when an angel counselled him to prepare himself for 1 March, as that would be the day that the Lord Jesus Christ would come with his angels to call him out of this world. He preached his last sermon on the last Sunday in February, at a Mass that was attended by a great crowd of people. During the sermon St David exhorted his disciples such: -

“Lords, brothers, and sisters, be joyful, and keep the faith and the creed, and also do the little things that you heard and saw me do.”

“Arglwyddi, vrodyr, a chwiorydd, byddwch lawen, a chedwch ych fyd a’ch cret, a gnewch y pethau bychein a glywassach ac a welasawch y genyfi.”

St David was buried in his Cathedral, where his relics were venerated until the Reformation. After some centuries, bones that are believed to be St David's were discovered, and are back on display at the Cathedral. It is hoped that his relics will be translated to his old shrine sometime this year. Many pilgrims still visit St David's to this day.

Soon after his death a cult quickly developed and David’s fame spread throughout Wales, where he was immediately adopted as patron and leader – especially called upon to save the Welsh from both Saxon and Norman invasions. In fact, many prophecies arose in which it was said that the ancient British would one day rise up behind St David’s banner. who would drive out the Saxons from the Island.

This prophecy is clearly seen in the famous 10th century poem, Amres Prydein which is contained in the Books of Taliesyn. King Henry Tudor used these aspirations when searching for followers from his native Wales, after landing in Pembroke, to go and fight with him at Bosworth Field in 1485 (It is for this reason that Henry Tudor named his first-born son Arthur).

Hymn to St David

O great St. David, still we hear thee call us

Unto a life that knows no fear of death;

Yea, down the ages will thy words enthral us,

Strong, happy words; “Be joyful, keep the faith.”

On Cambria’s land stretch out thy hands in blessing:

For all Welsh folk, thy help we now implore,

Lead us to God, with humble hearts confessing

Jesus, Lord and king for evermore.

Dewi Sant, nawddsant Cymru, gweddia drosom ni!

Saint David, patron of Wales, pray for us!

[Picture note: Top: Pope Benedict XVI blesses the mosaic of St David at Westminster Cathedral, 18 September 2010; credit: Marcin Mazur © Mazur/www.thepapalvisit.org.uk; source: Flickr account for The Papal Visit (here). Middle top: Daffodils; source: free stock images at images by photoeverywhere.co.uk. Middle bottom: The mosaic of St David at Westminster Cathedral. Bottom: St David's Banner]

Parts of this post are taken from last year's entry (here)