When was the last time you danced for joy?

In the Old Testament, when King David welcomed the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, he danced for joy. Why? Because he knew he was in the presence of God. 

Living in the presence of God causes us to dance for joy. It is easy to lose sight of his presence. It is easy to wander from his ways. It is easy to become blind to his presence as a result of the crippling selfishness that we all fall victim to if we are left to our own devices. Fortunately, God is not content leaving us to our own devices.

Just like King David, Saint David of Wales knew how to dance for joy.

Born into Welsh royalty, David decided to become a missionary and travel across Wales converting as many people as he could to Christianity. In these travels, he founded a number of monasteries based on strict but purposeful rules designed to lead monks into deep prayer. In prayer, they would find the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit would give them joy.

There is a reason David became the patron saint of Wales. His own intoxicating joy, which flourished within him through a vibrant prayer life, attracted countless people to convert to Christianity and many to fill the monasteries he founded. He inspired a legacy of Christian joy in Wales. In his last sermon before he died, he famously told the congregation, “Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.” This has become a Welsh proverb.

Spend time each day in prayer and reflection. Feel the Holy Spirit within you. That presence is God waiting for you, and he wants to give you joy—not just to keep the joy for yourself, but to spread to everyone you meet. 

Become an Ambassador of joy. Do the little things with great joy. Your joy will attract and inspire others to draw closer to God.

Patron Saint of: Wales, Pembrokeshire, Naas, Vegetarians, and Poets

Symbols: A daffodil or A Leek

Feast Day: March 1

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Felix III and Saint Albinus

Canonized: 1123

Canonized By: Pope Callistus II