Doing St David proud

WITH great ceremony, St David’s message was carried from St Davids on St David’s Day to the Senedd, the Seat of the Welsh Government in Cardiff Bay. This is the fourth time that such a message has been taken, but the first time for the new Bishop of St Davids, the Rt Revd Wyn Evans.

Its journey began the previous day in the city square, when the Bishop read the message of greeting to the pilgrims who were to carry it to Cardiff. In it he hoped that “Dewi’s example in his discipline and perseverance will inspire us in contemporary Wales to cope in these times of recession”. The Mayor of St David’s added his greeting, and the banners were unfurled.

The next stop was at Whitland, where the Mayor and representatives of the Town Council added their good wishes from the oldest Welsh parliament to the newest. The pilgrims moved on to Carmarthen, to be greeted by the Mayor and the leader of the County Council, and finally to Swansea, where they were welcomed by the Bishop of Swansea & Brecon, the Rt Revd John Davies, and joined the civic ceremony in the centre of Swansea.

The next day, 1 March, was St David’s Day. The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, preached about the saint and national identity at the bilingual Wales National St David’s Day service at Eglwys Dewi Sant, Cardiff, which was attended by representatives from other denominations, political parties, and organisations throughout Wales. Dr Morgan then joined the parade to the Senedd.

Back in St David’s, Bishop Wyn preached in the cathedral and blessed the city at City Cross. In the evening, there was a procession with the relics to St David’s shrine. Nor did the commemoration of the great saint stop there. On Monday, Dr Morgan preached at the St David’s Day service at Trinity College, Carmarthen; and on Tuesday, he preached at the St David’s Day service in the House of Commons in London.