St. David

St. David, the patron saint of Wales, lived during the 6th century, approximately from around 500 to 589 AD. He served as Bishop of Mynyw, a position that contributed significantly to his influence in Wales. David was officially recognized as a saint by Pope Callixtus II in 1120, marking a significant milestone in his path to sainthood. He founded a monastery in what is now St Davids, Pembrokeshire, where he established a strict monastic rule emphasizing simple living, manual labor, and spiritual devotion. His legacy includes the establishment of numerous monastic settlements in Wales and beyond. St. David's most famous miracle occurred at the Synod of Brefi, where he is said to have made the ground rise to form a hill during a sermon, allowing him to address a larger crowd. This event is also notable for a dove settling on his shoulder, which became one of his symbols. St. David's death is commemorated on March 1, which has become a national festival in Wales, known as St. David's Day. He was buried at St David's Cathedral, a site that became a major pilgrimage center in the Middle Ages. His feast day is celebrated with festivities across Wales, including the wearing of national emblems like the leek and the daffodil.