Saint of the Day December 29: St. David
St. David: Life, Legacy and Teachings of the Patron Saint of Wales
Name
St. David
Title
King
Recurrence
29 December
Prayer
O God, who gave your people Saint David the King , by his help make us strong and persevering in the faith, to cooperate assiduously in the unity of the Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who is God, and lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
Roman Martyrology
Commemoration of St. David, king and prophet, who, the son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, found favor with God and was anointed with holy oil by the prophet Samuel, that he might reign over the people of Israel; he carried the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to the city of Jerusalem, and the Lord himself swore to him that his descendants would remain forever, for from them would be born Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
The Saint and Mission
The Holy Innocents, the children killed on the orders of King Herod in an attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus, represent a particularly poignant and tragic component of Christian history. Their remembrance underscores a fundamental aspect of the Christian mission: the recognition and defense of the sacredness of all human life, especially that of the most defenseless and innocent.
The mission that emerges from the memory of the Holy Innocents is first and foremost a call to the protection of the vulnerable. Their innocence and involuntary sacrifice remind us that the Christian mission includes an unconditional commitment to the defense of life and dignity of every person, from conception to natural death. This message is especially relevant in a world where the rights of children and the defenseless are often threatened or ignored.
In addition, the commemoration of the Holy Innocents invites Christians to meditate on innocent suffering and injustice in the world. Their story is a painful reminder that evil and violence are realities with which humanity has yet to come to terms. The Christian mission, therefore, includes the task of struggling against these dark forces, bringing the light of the Gospel and working for justice, peace and reconciliation in every community and nation.
The memory of the Holy Innocents also inspires a sense of hope and redemption. Despite their tragic deaths, Christian tradition sees them as martyrs and witnesses whose innocence was accepted and redeemed by God. This perspective encourages believers to look beyond suffering and death to the promise of eternal life and the ultimate victory of God’s love and mercy.
The memory of the Holy Innocents is a powerful and provocative call to Christian mission in the world. Their remembrance challenges us to be defenders of life and dignity, fighters against injustice and bearers of hope, reminding us that in every child, in every vulnerable person, there is a reflection of the innocence and love that God has for every one of his creatures.
The Saint and Mercy
St. David of Wales, known for his ascetic life and zeal in spreading Christianity, represents an emblematic figure in the history of Christian mission in Wales. He lived in the 6th century and his life is characterized by a deep commitment to faith, religious instruction and community service, offering a model of dedication and missionary spirit.
St. David’s mission was expressed mainly through the founding of monasteries, which became vital centers of religious life and learning. These monasteries were not only places of prayer and contemplation, but also schools for teaching Christianity and centers for spreading the Gospel in the region. Through this monastic network, St. David contributed significantly to the evangelization of Wales, leaving a lasting imprint on the country’s religious history.
In addition to his founding work, St. David was known for his simple and disciplined lifestyle, an example of asceticism that inspired both his direct followers and the wider community. His personal dedication to faith and prayer reflected a deep sense of mission, demonstrating how the life of every Christian is, in itself, a witness to the Gospel.
St. David was also distinguished for his pastoral commitment and care for the people. He was known for his kindness and spirit of service, especially toward the poor and the sick. This aspect of his ministry emphasizes that the Christian mission goes beyond teaching and preaching; it is also a commitment to practical love and service to others, especially those in greatest need of help and comfort.
The life of St. David of Wales illustrates how Christian mission is a complex and multifaceted calling. Through his leadership in founding monasteries, his life of prayer and asceticism, and his commitment to pastoral service, St. David shows us that Christian mission requires dedication, discipline, and a deep love for God and neighbor. His example continues to inspire Christians to live their faith with courage and to be actively engaged in spreading the Gospel and serving the community.
Hagiography
Shepherd, King, Saint, Prophet and Poet: these are David’s titles. And his condition is that of a sinner, but a repentant sinner, washed by sincere and bitter weeping.
No other figure in the Old Testament has the tragic grandeur, the dramatic power of this character, from whose earthy, vital root was to spring the immaculate stem of the Virgin.
During Saul’s reign, God ordered the Amalekites and all that belonged to them to be exterminated, but the king’s refusal caused God to lose his esteem for him and thus sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to seek a new king of Israel from among the sons of Jesse. The latter had seven of his sons pass before Samuel but none of them was the chosen one. Then Samuel asked him if he had any others, and Jesse replied that the youngest, David, tawny of hair and…