St David of Wales

Known in Welsh as Dewi, this abbot-bishop is the patron of Wales.

According to legend, he was born to a Cardigan chieftan and St. Non, and founded 12 monasteries.

Community life was austere, with monks doing manual labor, speaking only when necessary, eating bread and vegetables and drinking water.

David’s nickname was “man of water.”

He participated in two Welsh councils, was recognized as primate of Wales and moved the see to Mynyw.

His story comes entirely from a single biography written in 1090.

Text: Catholic News Service
Image: Wikimedia Commons/Hchc2009/CC BY-SA 4.0