St. David of Wales COLLECTION (P 001)

Saint David (or Dewi Sant in Welsh; c. 542-c. 601) was bishop of Mynyw, Wales, during the 6th century. A native son descended from Welsh royalty, St. David became a monk and a priest noted for his teaching and preaching. Invited to speak at the Synod of Brefi though only a minor abbot, his vigorous arguments against Pelagianism, a heresy that denied original sin and affirmed the ability of humans to be morally good on their own without God’s grace, earned him election by acclamation as archbishop. He founded numerous monasteries in Britain and Brittany (western coastal France) which adhered to an austere rule based in part on practices of the Desert Fathers of Egypt. The Monastic Rule of St. David stipulated that farming be done without draught animals--the monks pulling plows themselves; that meals be vegetarian with bread (with salt and herbs) and water--no meat nor alcoholic beverages allowed and fish being served only on special occasions; that goods be held in common--no personal possessions whatsoever being permitted; and that evenings be spent in prayer, reading, and writing. According to some sources, he traveled to the Holy Land where he was anointed by the Patriarch of Jerusalem confirming his archiepiscopacy. Today, Mynyw is known as St. David’s, Wales, after its most famous bishop and beloved saint. And, his feast day, though not an official British national holiday, is celebrated throughout Wales by wearing leeks or daffodils, flying St. David’s flag, eating traditional Welsh foods, putting on school concerts, and holding civic parades. + St. David is patron of Wales, doves, and vegans and vegetarians. + Feast: March 1