By Ian Wilson (rated PG)
Little is known about this Patron Saint of Wales. It is believed he was born around 520 AD in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Conceived in rape, his mother, St. Nonna, gave birth to him on a cliff during a fierce storm.
Despite his dubious parentage, St. David grew up to be a theological scholar – educated at Henfynyw, Cardigan – and a great orator. He was prominent in denouncing the Pelagian heresy that had begun to take root in Britain at that time, and he helped successfully expel it from the land.
In addition, he was also a miracle worker, credited with restoring sight to the blind and even resurrecting a dead child. On a very memorable occasion, St. David was preaching to a crowd one day when several people complained that they could not hear him. A hill rose up beneath St. David so that they could see and hear him more plainly.
David was renowned for his piety and ascetic lifestyle. He fasted frequently and took on many other spiritual and physical disciplines. It is said that he abstained from beer and other strong drinks continually, only drinking water. He also founded several churches and monasteries; a total of fifty are named for him, including St. David’s Cathedral. The Cathedral contains a stone which the saint brought back with him from his pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
St. David’s life can be summed up by his last words: “Be joyful, keep the faith, do the little things you have seen me do”. His feast day is a national holiday in Wales, a celebration of Welsh language and culture.
May we, like St. David, be joyful and keep the faith, and do the little things that are ours to do.
LogoSophia Magazine 