Saints
St. David of Wales
“Do the little things, and the great things will come to you.” St. David
10 Facts You Should Know About St. David
St. David, also known as Dewi Sant in Welsh, was a 6th-century Welsh bishop and the patron saint of Wales. He is revered for his holiness, wisdom, and miracles, and is remembered for spreading Christianity throughout Wales and establishing monastic communities. Here is a ten-paragraph biography on St. David:
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St. David was born in the 6th century in the town of Henfynyw in Ceredigion, Wales. His mother was Non, a nun and daughter of the chieftain Ceredig, and his father was Sant, a local prince.
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From a young age, David showed a strong desire to dedicate his life to God. He was educated by St. Paulinus, a bishop who had been sent to Wales by Pope Gregory the Great to spread Christianity.
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As a young man, David became a monk and founded a monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (The Vale of Roses) on the western headland of Pembrokeshire. The monastery became a center for learning and Christianity in Wales, and many other monasteries were founded throughout the country under David’s leadership.
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David was known for his holiness and wisdom, and he was often sought out for his counsel. He was also known for performing miracles, including restoring sight to a blind man and raising a child from the dead.
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In the year 569, David was made the bishop of Menevia, which is now the town of St. Davids in Pembrokeshire. He served as bishop for over 30 years, spreading Christianity throughout Wales and establishing monastic communities.
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David was a strong advocate for monasticism and the contemplative life, and he believed that living in solitude and prayer was the best way to draw closer to God. He established strict rules for the monasteries under his care, including a prohibition on eating meat or drinking beer.
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David was also known for his concern for the poor and needy. He established a system of hospitals and hostels throughout Wales to provide care for the sick and the poor.
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In addition to his spiritual work, David was also involved in the political affairs of Wales. He is credited with helping to unite the Welsh people and establish Wales as a distinct nation.
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David died on March 1, 589, at the age of 100. He was buried at his cathedral in St. Davids, and his shrine became a popular place of pilgrimage.
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St. David was canonized in the 11th century and is now the patron saint of Wales. He is celebrated on March 1, St. David’s Day, with parades, concerts, and traditional Welsh food and drink.
Popular St. David Medal and St. David Rosary
Patron Saints - D's
Medals and Pendants
Prayers to
Prayer of Intercession to St. David
O holy St. David, patron saint of Wales, we ask for your intercession and guidance as we strive to follow in your footsteps of devotion and service to God. Help us to be strong in faith, courageous in the face of adversity, and compassionate towards our neighbor. May we always seek to do God’s will and bring His love and light to those around us.
Prayer to St. David for the poor
Dear St. David, you were a man of great holiness and wisdom, and you devoted your life to spreading the Gospel and helping the poor and needy. We ask that you pray for us, that we may grow in our own faith and follow your example of selflessness and service. Help us to see Christ in those around us and to reach out to those in need with love and compassion.
Prayer to St. David for those who are suffering
O St. David, you were known for your miracles and your ability to bring healing and hope to those in need. We ask that you pray for those who are suffering, that they may find comfort and relief from their pain. May they know the love of God and the healing power of His grace. We also ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our own challenges and trials with faith and trust in God. Amen.
Story about the life of St. David
In the late 5th century in Wales, a young nun named Saint Non lived in a convent near Ty Gwyn in Pembrokeshire. She lived a life of prayerful activity and quiet penitence, but one day the King of Ceredigion passed through the village near her convent and saw her working alone in a field. He seized her, taking away her vow of chastity by force and leaving her devastated. Saint Non became pregnant and dedicated the child to God, finding comfort in her faith.
Legend says that during the course of her pregnancy, a local pagan ruler learned of the unborn child and feared its power, so he plotted to be present at the birth in order to kill the baby. However, on the day that Saint Non went into labor, a fierce thunderstorm arose and made it dangerous for anyone to travel outdoors, foiling the plans of the murderer. Saint Non gave birth to Saint David, or Dewi Sant, at the turn of the 6th century in a radiant holy light at the cliffs west of Caerfai Bay. It is said that the pain of her labor was so intense that she grasped a large rock and the stone was split asunder.
Saint David was raised by his mother in the village of Henfeynyw near Aberaeron and was baptized in Porthclais by Saint Elvis of Munster. During the sacrament, a blind monk named Movi accidentally splashed some of the holy water from the baptismal font into his own eyes and was instantly healed. Saint David was educated at Whitland monastery near Carmarthenshire under the guidance of Saint Paulinus of Wales, who was also blind. Saint David is said to have cured his tutor of blindness by making the sign of the Cross over his eyes.
As an adult, Saint David became a missionary and traveled throughout Wales and Europe, performing many miracles and converting many people to Christianity. He established a monastery in the town of Glyn Rhosyn, and this is where he spent the last years of his life, living a simple and austere life. Saint David is remembered as the patron saint of Wales and is celebrated on March 1st.
Miracles of St. David
St. David was known for performing many miracles throughout his life. One of the most famous stories about him involves a chieftain named Boia who lived in Wales. Boia had heard that St. David had claimed a portion of land in the valley below his homestead, and he was determined to challenge the claim.
Boia and his men descended upon the valley, armed and ready for battle. But as they approached, they were met with a strange sight. St. David was standing at the edge of the valley, holding a single stone in his hand.
Boia and his men laughed at the sight of the small, unarmed monk facing them down. But as they approached, St. David held out the stone and spoke a simple prayer. Suddenly, the ground beneath Boia and his men began to shake. Terrified, they turned and fled, leaving the land for St. David to claim in peace.
From that day on, St. David was known as a powerful and miraculous figure, with the ability to command the very earth itself. And the stone he had used to perform the miracle was revered as a holy relic, a symbol of his divine power and the protection he provided to all those who followed him.
Catholic Churches Named In Honor of St. David
- St. David Catholic Church in Davie, Florida
- St. David’s Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska
- St. David Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon
- St. David Catholic Church in Roswell, Georgia
- St. David Catholic Church in Maple Grove, Minnesota
- St. David Catholic Church in Aurora, Illinois
- St. David Catholic Church in Rome, Georgia
- St. David Catholic Church in Austin, Texas
- St. David Catholic Church in Springfield, Missouri
- St. David Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri
Saints Similar to St. David of Wales
You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Patrick and the Biography of St. Brigid of Ireland. St. David of Wales, St. Patrick, and St. Brigid of Ireland are all important saints in the Christian tradition in the British Isles. St. David is the patron saint of Wales, while St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. St. Brigid, also known as St. Brigid of Kildare, is another prominent Irish saint. All three played key roles in spreading Christianity in their respective regions. Next up: Biography of St. Deborah
Also check out our handmade St. David of Wales Medal and St. David of Wales Rosary and St. David of Wales Rosary Bracelet .