Saint David's Day, March 1

  • Published
  • By Suzanne Harper
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
RAF LAKENHEATH, England --  Most Americans I speak to are very familiar with St Patrick's Day and all its associated fun and festivities, but few are aware that England, Scotland and Wales also each have their own national day named after their very own patron saint. 

The stories of these patron saints - St. George (England), St. Patrick (Ireland), St Andrew (Scotland) and St David (Wales) - are full of myths, complexities and contradictions. However, to those living in each country, there is much pride invested in their particular patron saint, in the traditions associated with their special day, and lessons learned from their lives.

David is the only saint of the four to have been born in the country he represents.

On March 1, Welsh people across the globe will be celebrating Saint David's Day. Many Welsh people wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their lapel on this day to celebrate: the daffodil (a generic Welsh symbol which is in season during March) or the leek (Saint David's personal symbol). The other Welsh symbol, Y Ddraig Goch (the Red Dragon, Wales's national flag), will be flown on many more buildings than usual. Both young and old take part in eisteddfodau (competitions and poetry reading) and Noson Lawen (entertainment evenings). 

Renowned worldwide for their singing and their rugby, as well as the beautiful landscape of their country, the Welsh are fervently patriotic on their national day. There are a few proud Welsh men and women working here at RAF Lakenheath and I hope you will take the opportunity to greet them on their very own saint's day. 

Saint David, or Dewi Sant, as he is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales. He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his life, he was the Archbishop of Wales. He was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain. 

Some of the details surrounding Dewi are rather sketchy as the first manuscripts about his life were written 500 years after his death. A wealth of myths and legends surround his his life and his ministry. 

A gentle person who lived a frugal life, historians claim Dewi Sant ate mostly bread and herbs; reports say he was tall and physically strong. He was from an aristocratic family. His father was the son of a prince and his mother, Non, was the daughter of a local chieftain. Legend has it that Non was also a niece of King Arthur. 

Dewi was born near Capel Non (Non's chapel) on the coast of southwest Wales near the present city of St. David. We know a little about his early life; he was educated in a monastery called Hen Fynyw, his teacher was Paulinus, a blind monk, and he stayed there for years before leaving to go on his missionary travels. 

Dewi established several churches, traveling throughout Wales and to the south and west of England, Cornwall and Brittany in France. It is also possible he visited Ireland.
He founded a monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale) on the banks of the small River Alun where the cathedral city of St. David stands today. The monastic brotherhood that he founded was very strict. They awoke very early in the morning for prayers and afterwards worked very hard to help maintain life at the monastery, cultivating the land and even pulling the plough. They were skilled in many crafts and beekeeping was very important. The monks had to keep themselves fed as well as the many pilgrims and travellers who needed lodgings. They also had to feed and clothe the poor and needy in their neighbourhood. 

Historians say Dewi lived for more than 100 years. It is generally accepted he died in 589. His body was buried in the grounds of his own monastery, where the cathedral of St. David now stands.