St. David of Wales

Bishop, Monk, Missionary, & Wonderworker

Not much is known about St. David except from a biography written around the year 1090 by Rhygyfarch, son of one of the Bishops of St. Davids.
David was reputedly born on a cliff top near Capel Non (Non’s chapel) on the South-West Wales coast during a fierce storm. Both his parents were descended from Welsh royalty. He was the son of Sandde, Prince of Powys, and Non, daughter of a chieftain of Menevia (now the little cathedral town of St David’s). The site of David’s birth is marked by the ruins of a tiny ancient chapel close to a holy well and the more recent 18th century chapel dedicated to his mother Non can still be seen near St. David’s Cathedral.
Legend has it that the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick (also said to have been born near the present day city of St. Davids) prophesied the birth of David.

The young David grew up to be a priest, being educated at the monastery of Hen Fynyw under the tutorage of St. Paulinus. A vegetarian who ate only bread, herbs and vegetables and who drank only water, David became known as Aquaticus or Dewi Ddyfrwr (the water drinker) in Welsh. Sometimes, as a self-imposed penance, he would stand up to his neck in a lake of cold water, reciting the Psalms.

St. David is often depicted preaching atop a small green hill with the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, resting on his shoulder.

Becoming a missionary, David travelled throughout Wales and England preaching the Gospel and baptising many people. He even made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he was consecrated bishop. He founded 12 monasteries including Glastonbury and one at Minevia (St. Davids) which he made his bishops seat. He was named Archbishop of Wales at the Synod of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi), Cardiganshire in 550.
Monastery life was very strict, the brothers having to work very hard, cultivating the land and pulling the plough. Many crafts were followed – beekeeping, in particular, was very important. The monks had to keep themselves fed as well as provide food and lodging for travelers. They also looked after the poor.
St. David died on March 1st, A.D. 589, at Minevia, allegedly at over 100 years of age. His remains were buried in a shrine in the 6th century cathedral which was ransacked in the 11th century by Viking invaders, who plundered the site and murdered two Welsh bishops.
After his death, St. David’s influence spread far and wide, first throughout Britain and then by sea to Brittany. In 1120, Pope Callactus II canonised David as a Saint. Following this he was declared Patron Saint of Wales. Many pilgrimages were made to St. David’s in the following centuries, and the Pope decreed that two pilgrimages made to St. Davids equaled one pilgrimage to Rome, while three pilgrimages to St. Davids were worth one pilgrimage to Jerusalem.