March 1: Saint David of Wales

March 1st is the feast day of Saint David of Wales (542-601), the only Welsh saint to be canonized by the Church. While little is factually known about his life, Saint David has been the patron saint of Wales since the 12th century. More than fifty Welsh churches are dedicated in his honor. Unlike the other patron saints of the British Isles, David was born and raised in Wales, a native son of the region.

Much of what is known about Saint David is the stuff of holy legend and Celtic tradition. The facts are few, and those that are recounted are somewhat questionable. Saint David was born to the Welsh royalty. His father was King Sandde, Prince of Powys, and his mother was Saint Nonni, the daughter of a chieftain of Menevia in western Wales. It is said that David was conceived in violence, and that his mother delivered him on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea during a particularly violent storm.

Saint David founded a number of monasteries, including one in Pembrokeshire, which now bears his name. He, and the monks who followed his rule, lived an austere life devoted to God. They ate only bread and vegetables, and drank only water, earning them the title Aquaticus. They monks worked in silence, tilling their fields by hand rather than using oxen. Saint David traveled throughout England and Wales, rebuilding monasteries that had been abandoned or fallen into disrepair. He is credited with the re-founding of over ten such monasteries, including those prominent in Glastonbury and Bath.

Saint David attended the Synod of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi in Cardiganshire), a gathering in which the church was challenged by the heresies of government and non-believers. As legend tells, Saint David addressed the crowd with extreme eloquence, during which many were converted to the faith. As he spoke, given that all those in the large crowd could not hear him, the earth was reported to rise up beneath him, lifting him above the crowds and magnifying his voice. A dove also descended and sat on his shoulder during his oration.

Celtic legend tells us that Saint David cured the blindness of many, was foretold by angels to Saint Patrick, was rescued from a poisoning attempt by Saint Scuthyn of Ireland who quickly crossed the sea on the back of a sea serpent, and ascended to heaven surrounded by angels. Whether these are the product of local legend or holy truth remains to be seen. What we do know of Saint David is that he tirelessly defended the faith, built up the church, and withstood political pressures of the times to renounce of modify the teachings of God. He entered into even the most menial of tasks with joy, inspiring his brothers to do the same. His last words inspire us even today, as we prepare for our upcoming Lenten journey, which ends with the Resurrection of Jesus: “Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.”

O Almighty God, who in Your most Holy providence chose Your servant David to be an apostle to the people of Wales, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge: Grant to us in The Celtic Episcopal Church so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through the merits of Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord both now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Year 2: Day 60 of 365

Prayer Intentions: Finding the Joy of Christ in all that we do
Requested Intentions: Healing (C); Restoration of marriage (F); Freedom from medical difficulties, employment, successful relationship (D); End to suffering for sick brother; reconciliation of estranged family (E); End to husband’s addiction; Improved relationship; strength (M); Successful God-centered marriage; Sacramental life (M); Healing, successful relationship (S); For successful marriage (A); For a husband’s freedom from addiction (C); Freedom from pain and illness for a friend (M); Financial freedom (J); Successful passing of occupational examination (S); Healing and conversion, sale of house (L); Occupational success for employee and colleagues (J); Employment for a son (C); Successful attainment of an important appointed position (J); Recovery from cancer for a friend (Z); For a family’s freedom from sin (M); For a daughter with Diabetes (A); Healing of a father following stroke (S).