David 			March 1
Bishop, Patron Saint of Wales
In spite of the fact that David (Dewi) is so well known among the saints of Britain, very little accurate information about his life is available. Where facts are short, legend has sought to embellish. The earliest biography was not written until some five hundred years after his death; then it was written primarily to present the claims of the church in Wales to be independent of the jurisdiction of Canterbury.
It is claimed that David was an abbot-bishop, the son of a Cardigan chieftain, and that he founded a dozen monasteries, of which the principal one was at Menevia - St David’s in Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales. The monastic rule, based on the rule of Egyptian monks, was extremely strict. Hard manual labour had to be performed by all, and they spoke only when absolutely necessary. David was traditionally known as “the Waterman”, for water was the only drink allowed, probably with a little milk added on festivals. 
David is said to have attended the synod at Brefi, about 560, though the story that he spoke there with such eloquence and fervour that he was thereupon elected primate of the church in Wales is almost certainly fable, as is his supposed pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He must, however, have been a man of strong character, with gifts of leadership and of great goodness. He has been looked upon as the patron saint of Wales since the twelfth century.
There are over fifty churches dedicated to David in South Wales, and some thirty in England, mostly in Devon and Cornwall. The dates of both his birth and death are uncertain, though 520 and 601 respectively have been accepted by most writers. He died at his monastery at Menevia. He gave his life back to God with his last words, “O Lord, raise me up after you.” 
For Liturgical Use
When a young man, David founded a monastery at his birthplace in south-west Wales, where the present Cathedral of St David stands today. David built many churches and founded twelve monasteries. He and his monks lived a life of strict austerity. At his death (about 601) the whole of Wales mourned the passing of one whom they regarded as the spiritual father of the nation.
Sentence
“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God.			Ezekiel 34:15
Collects
Loving God,
you gave your servant David grace 
to be a wise and faithful leader 
of your church in Wales;
give us perseverance and unwearied devotion
that we may be your faithful people now and always;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
God who madest earth and heaven
and the church in Wales,
we thank you for David,
evangelist, leader, archbishop;
may the gospel music
swell to a mighty song for all the world.
Psalms	25:1-9	119:73-80	
Readings
1 Samuel 16:4-13		God’s choice of a leader
1 Thessalonians 2:3-12	Preaching the good news
Mark 4:26-32		Ready for harvest
Post Communion Sentence
Jesus said, “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.”		John 15:16