St David’s Day (1 March)

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

Saint David is the patron saint of Wales and on the 1^st of March the Feast of Saint David is celebrated. The date was chosen as it is the date of his death, with the holiday being celebrated since the canonisation of David in the 12^th century by Pope Callixtus II.

Interestingly, Saint David, or Dewi Sant, is the only native-born patron saint of the countries of Britain and Ireland, born in Caerfai, in southwest Wales. David founded monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Brittany and southwest England and is known for performing miracles. One of the most famous happened when he was preaching to a large crowd in Llanddewi Brefi. When those at the back of the crowd complained they could not hear him, the ground beneath him rose up to create a hill and a white dove, sent by God, settled on his shoulder.

Saint David’s Day today is celebrated throughout Wales and indeed throughout Britain. It is filled with parades, concerts and eisteddfodau (festivals of music, language and culture), with many partaking in the tradition of pinning a daffodil or leek to themselves. There’s even an annual Dragon Parade from Oriel y Parc Gallery and the Ras Dewi Sant marathon is one of the toughest races, on one of the prettiest courses.

Overall, on Saint David’s Day, people are encouraged to follow Saint David’s final words to his followers, gwnewch y pethau bychain, meaning to do the little things and sharing in kindness.