“The holy Father David prescribed an austere system of monastic observance, requiring every monk to toil daily at manual labour and to lead a common life. So with unflagging zeal they work with hand and foot, they put the yoke to their own shoulders, and in their own holy hands, they bear the tools for labour in the fields. So by their own strength they procure every necessity for the community, while refusing possessions and detesting riches. They make no use of oxen for ploughing. Everyone is rich to himself and to the brethren, every man is his own ox.
When the field work is done they return to the enclosure of the monastery, to pass their time till evening at reading, writing, or in prayer. Then when the signal is heard for evening prayer everyone leaves what he is at and in silence, without any idle conversation, they make their way to church. When, with heart and voice attuned, they have completed the psalmody, they remain on their knees until stars appearing in the heaven bring day to its close; yet when all have gone, the father remains there alone making his own private prayer for the well-being of the church.
Shedding daily abundance of tears, offering daily his sweet-scented sacrifice of praise, aglow with an intensity of love, he consecrated with pure hands the fitting oblation of the Lord’s body, and so, at the conclusion of the morning offices, attaining alone to the converse of angels. Then the whole day was spent undaunted and untired, in teaching, praying, on his knees, caring for the brethren, and for orphans and children, and widows, and everyone in need, for the weak and the sick, for travellers and in feeding many. The rest of this stern way of life would be profitable to imitate, but the shortness of this account forbids our entering upon it, but in every way his life was ordered in imitation of the monks of Egypt.”
– From a Life of St David by Rhygyferch, as found in today’s Second Reading in the Office of Readings.
Who was St David?
Today’s saint is written by Fr Nicholas Schofield in Saints of the Roman Calendar.
St David (+ c.600) was born in south Wales. We know little of his life; tradition says he founded a monastery at Mynyw (Menevia) and was consecrated bishop (according to legend in Jerusalem). He lived an austere life. Many Welsh monasteries claimed him as founder. His cult spread quickly and in 1120 Pope Callistus II declared that two pilgrimages to his shrine at St David’s were equivalent to one to Rome.
Collect for Saint David
O God, who graciously bestowed on your Bishop Saint David of Wales the virtue of wisdom and the gift of eloquence and made him an example of prayer and pastoral zeal, grant that, through his intercession your Church may ever prosper and render you joyful praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Today’s Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lampstand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’
Prayer to David
Extracted from A Handbook of Novenas to the Saints by Dr Raymond Edwards and Glynn MacNiven-Johnston.
This prayer can be said over nine days as a novena.
O God, who raised Blessed David to be an apostle and patron for your people in Wales, grant, we implore, that through his prayers the people may be restored to the truth which he taught, and to attain to everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Litany of the Martyrs of Wales
Extracted from A Book of Martyrs by Fr John S. Hogan
While little is known of the life of St David, today he is remembered with great importance as the patron of Wales. This litany recalls some of the other important saints to Wales – the Martyrs of Wales.
Lord have mercy
Christ has mercy
Lord have mercy
Christ hear us
Christ graciously hear us
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us
Holy Mary, pray for us
Holy Mother of God, pray for us
Our Lady of the Taper, pray for us
Queen adorned with the Light of Christ, pray for us
St Richard Gwyn, Faithful husband and father,
Teacher in the way of virtue, pray for us
St John Jones, Humble son of St Francis,
Teacher in the way of consecration, pray for us
St John Roberts, Devoted father to the sick and dying,
Teacher in the way of charity, pray for us
St Philip Evans, Defender of the flock of Christ,
Teacher in the way of constancy, pray for us
St John Lloyd, Faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ,
Teacher in the way of hidden service, pray for us
St David Lewis, Faithful father of the poor and needy,
Teacher in the way of Christ-like tenderness, pray for us
Bl Edward Powell, Wise soul and defender of the innocent,
Teacher in the way of Truth, pray for us
Bl William Gunter, Victim of ungodly vengeance,
Teacher in the way of forgiveness, pray for us
Bl Richard Flower, Young apostle and servant of the Church,
Teacher in the way of zeal, pray for us
Bl Humphrey Pritchard, Humble guardian of the weak,
Teacher in way of generosity, pray for us
Bl Edward Jones, Eloquent preacher of the Word of God,
Teacher in the way of the Gospel, pray for us
Bl William Davies, Guide of those who seek Christ,
Teacher in the way of discernment, pray for us
Bl Philip Powel, Servant of the servants of Christ,
Teacher in the way of reverence, pray for us
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, you holy martyrs of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
Almighty Lord and Father you raise up your devoted sons, the Martyrs of Wales, for their constancy in faith, generosity in love and dedication to your Holy Church. Grant through their intercession that we your people may grow in holiness and joy, imitating their example and seeking the reconciliation of all your children. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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