The patron saint of Wales is Saint David, (Dewi Sant in Welsh) and on the 1st March Welsh people around the world celebrate his life and works. This national day of celebration dates back to 1120, when Dewi Sant was canonised by Pope. It’s the one day of the year where you are guaranteed to see school children in the traditional Welsh costume and people wearing daffodils and leeks on their lapels. Every year there are many events celebrating the life of Dewi Sant, from school Eisteddfods to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales St David’s Day Celebration at St David’s Hall in Cardiff. Traditional Welsh dishes will also be eaten including cawl and Welsh Cakes.

Make St David’s a Bank Holiday for Wales
Although the day is celebrated throughout Wales and indeed in Welsh communities around the world, it is not a bank holiday in Wales. There is a petition on the 10 Downing Street website asking for the Prime Minister to proclaim St David’s Day as a national holiday in Wales. The petition deadline is 20 February 2007.

About Dewi Sant
It is believed that he was born near St Davids where he was later to be archbishop of Wales. Dewi Sant was a missionary who travelled through Wales, Cornwall and Brittany helping to bring Christianity to the pagan Celtic tribes.

There are many miracles attributed to Dewi Sant. Perhaps the most well-known story regarding Dewi’s life is said to have happened at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi. They were there to decide whether Dewi was to be Archbishop and a great crowd gathered at the synod. When Dewi stood up to speak, one of the congregation shouted, ‘We won’t be able to see or hear him’. At that instant the ground rose till everyone could see and hear Dewi. It wasn’t long before he became the Archbishop.

He later became Abbot of St David’s and died on March 1, 589, after founding a monastery at the site of the present cathedral. Find out more at Wales Calling.

| Published February 17th, 2007

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