Saint of the day March 1, 2025

Saint David, the revered patron saint of Wales and one of the most iconic saints in British history, remains shrouded in mystery due to the sparse reliable historical records about his life. Tradition holds that he was born to King Sant of South Wales and St. Non. He was consecrated as a priest and pursued his religious studies under St. Paulinus.

David is celebrated for his devout life, marked by his dedication to missionary endeavors and the establishment of numerous monasteries, with his main abbey located in southwestern Wales. The tales of David and his monks are renowned for their severe ascetic practices. They maintained silence during labor, eschewing animal help for farming, and subsisted on a simple diet of bread, vegetables, and water.

Around 550 AD, David’s articulate speech at a synod earned him such admiration from his peers that he was appointed the primate of the area. Subsequently, the episcopal see was transferred to Mynyw, the site of his monastery, now known as St. David’s. He led his diocese into his advanced years, imparting the memorable exhortation to his followers: “Be joyful, brothers and sisters. Keep your faith, and do the little things that you have seen and heard with me.”

St. David is often depicted standing on a hill with a dove on his shoulder, a symbol of a miraculous event where a dove landed on him and the ground elevated beneath his feet to amplify his voice to the masses during a sermon. Before the Reformation, over 50 churches in South Wales were consecrated in his honor.

Reflection

Were we restricted to hard manual labor and a diet of bread, vegetables and water, most of us would find little reason to rejoice. Yet joy is what David urged on his brothers as he lay dying. Perhaps he could say that to them—and to us—because he lived in and nurtured a constant awareness of God’s nearness. For, as someone once said, “Joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence.” May his intercession bless us with the same awareness!

Spend time each day in prayer and reflection. Feel the Holy Spirit within you. That presence is God waiting for you, and he wants to give you joy—not just to keep the joy for yourself, but to spread to everyone you meet.

Become an Ambassador of joy. Do the little things with great joy. Your joy will attract and inspire others to draw closer to God.