Stori Dewi Sant 5&6 (Translation)
On March the first, every year, the people of Wales
celebrate Saint David’s Day.
Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. Why? Who
was David?
David lived in the sixth century, 1500 years ago. He had a mother named Non and a father called Sant. Sant was the prince of Ceredigion. David lived in the sixth century, 1500 years ago.
He had a mother named Non and a father called Sant. Sant was the prince of Ceredigion. David lived in a place called Henfynyw, near Aberaeron when he was a young lad.
When David was young, he had reading and writing lessons because he came from an important family. David had lessons from his uncle Gustilianus in Hen Fynyw.
David liked reading and writing and he loved listening to stories about Jesus.
When David was older, he went to Hendy-Gwyn to have lessons.
The name of his teacher was Peulin (Paulinus). Peulin was head of the Hendy-Gwyn monastery.
Peulin was an old man and in time he went blind. One day, David put his hands over Peulin’s eyes. When Peulin opened his eyes he could see once again. A miracle!
After learning with Peulin, David went around south Wales and the west of England teaching people about God and setting up churches. One day, David went to Llanddewi Brefi to speak about God. On the way, he saw a lady. The lady’s son had died and she wanted David’s help. David prayed to God and the son was alive again. A miracle!
David arrived in Llanddewi Brefi. There were lots of people in Llanddewi Brefi, they wanted to hear David talking about God.
David began talking but the people couldn’t hear nor see Dewi clearly!
David put his handkerchief on the ground and suddenly, the earth rose under David. Hurrah, everyone could hear and see him clearly! A miracle!
After travelling around south Wales and the west of England, David went to a place called Glyn Rhosyn to set up a monastery. Here’s an example of a Celtic monastery.
The name of Glyn Rhosyn today is Saint Davids. St David’s is in Pembrokeshire. St David’s is a city. Fact: Saint David’s is the smallest city in Britain!
In the Monastery, the monks prayed for hours every day. They worked the land and helped to grow food and to fish. They shared everything.
The monks ate bread, vegetables and fish. They didn’t eat meat. The monks drank water and only water!
What type of person was David? David was a good man. He was clever. He helped other people. He was kind. He worked hard. He thought of others. He did miracles. He was a Holy man.
David died on the first of March, around 588. He was buried in Glyn Rhosyn.
David died on the first of March, 588. He was buried in Glyn Rhosyn. Here are words from David’s last sermon:
Lords, brothers and sisters, be joyful and keep your faith and your belief, and do the little things that you heard and saw me do.
David has been a saint since the year 1120. Saint David’s cathedral was built in 1181 on the site of Dewi’s monastery. Fact! St David’s is the biggest cathedral in Wales.