About St. David of Wales
St. David of Wales (c. 500–589 AD) was a sixth-century bishop, monk, and missionary who became the patron saint of Wales. He founded numerous monasteries throughout Wales where the monks lived lives of prayer, manual labor, fasting, and simplicity. His communities became centers of learning and evangelization.
One of the most famous events of his life occurred while preaching at the Synod of Brefi. According to tradition, the ground beneath him miraculously rose into a hill so everyone could hear his sermon, while a white dove descended upon his shoulder—a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
St. David encouraged his followers with the famous words:
“Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things.”
He died on March 1, around the year 589, and his feast day is celebrated each year on March 1. St. David remains one of the most beloved Celtic saints and continues to inspire Christians to live lives of humility, prayer, and faithful service.
Who was St. David of Wales?
St. David was a sixth-century bishop, monk, and missionary who became the patron saint of Wales. He devoted his life to preaching the Gospel, founding monasteries, and encouraging people to live holy and faithful lives.
What is the St. David of Wales Novena?
The St. David of Wales Novena is a traditional nine-day Catholic prayer asking for St. David’s intercession for stronger faith, perseverance, wisdom, humility, and holiness.
When should I pray the St. David Novena?
Many Catholics begin the novena on February 20 to finish on March 1, the Feast of St. David. However, it may be prayed at any time during the year.
What is St. David the patron saint of?
St. David is the patron saint of Wales. He is also invoked by those seeking steadfast faith, missionaries, preachers, and those striving to live holy and humble lives.
What miracles are associated with St. David?
Tradition tells that while St. David preached, the ground beneath him rose into a hill so the crowd could hear him clearly, and a white dove rested upon his shoulder as a sign of the Holy Spirit. Many other miracles of healing are also attributed to him.
Why is St. David important to Catholics?
St. David helped strengthen Christianity in Wales through his preaching, monasteries, and personal example of holiness. His life reminds Catholics that true greatness comes through humility, prayer, sacrifice, and faithful obedience to Christ.
What can I pray for through St. David’s intercession?
You can ask St. David to pray for:
- Growth in faith
- Perseverance during trials
- Wisdom and good judgment
- Courage to live the Gospel
- Humility
- Vocations to the priesthood and religious life
- Missionaries and evangelization
- Peace in families
- The Church in Wales
- Your personal intentions
What did St. David teach?
St. David taught Christians to remain faithful to Christ through prayer, fasting, simplicity, hard work, and charity. His famous advice, “Do the little things,” encourages believers to seek holiness through everyday acts of love and obedience.
Is this a traditional Catholic novena?
Yes. This is a traditional Catholic novena that honors St. David of Wales and asks for his prayers before God while keeping Christ at the center of every petition.
Can I pray this novena for someone else?
Yes. You may offer the St. David Novena for family members, friends, those who have fallen away from the faith, the sick, priests, missionaries, or anyone in need of God’s grace through St. David’s intercession.
| Novena Begins: | February 20 |
| Feast Day: | March 1 |
Patron Saint of Wales
Day 1 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. David of Wales Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God our Father, You gave St. David to the Church in Wales as a bishop to uphold the faith and to be an example of Christian perfection. In this changing world, may his intercession help us to hold fast to the values that lead to eternal life. 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.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. David of Wales, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…