St. David, also known as Dewi Sant in Welsh, is the patron saint of Wales. He was a prominent figure in Welsh Christianity, known for his piousness, asceticism, and missionary work in the 6th century.
St. David was born around the year 500 AD, near the present-day city of St. David’s in Pembrokeshire, Wales. According to tradition, David was the son of Sant, a prince of Ceredigion in southwest Wales, and Non, who was later venerated as a saint herself. Non was said to be the daughter of a local chieftain.
It is believed that David received his early education at a monastery, likely Hen Fynyw, located near present-day Fishguard in Pembrokeshire. This would have provided him with a solid foundation in Christian teachings and monastic practices.After completing his education, David is said to have embraced a monastic life. He became a monk and dedicated himself to prayer, study, and ascetic practices. He eventually founded his own monastery, which became known as Glyn Rhosyn or Vale of Roses, where he served as an abbot.
One of the most famous events associated with St. David is the Synod of Brefi, where he is said to have performed a miracle by making the ground rise beneath him while preaching to a large crowd. This act convinced the people of his holiness and helped him gain support in his mission to spread Christianity in Wales.
St. David is believed to have died on March 1st, 589 AD. His shrine at St. David’s Cathedral became a major pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages. His influence on Welsh Christianity and culture is profound, and his feast day, March 1st, is celebrated as St. David’s Day in Wales, with festivities including parades, concerts, and the wearing of daffodils and leeks, symbols associated with the saint.
The Priory, in recognition of patron St. David of Wales, hosts a black tie event at the beginning of March.
