1^st March     St David’s Day

1st March is St David’s Day, and it’s time for the Welsh to wear daffodils or leeks.

Shakespeare called this custom ‘an honourable tradition begun upon an honourable request’ - but nobody knows the reason.  Why should anyone have ever ‘requested’ that the Welsh wear leeks or daffodils to honour their patron saint? It’s a mystery!

We do know that David - or Dafydd - of Pembrokeshire was a monk and bishop of the 6th century.  In the 12th century he was made patron of Wales, and he has the honour of being the only Welsh saint to be canonised and culted in the Western Church.

Tradition has it that he was austere with himself, and generous with others -  living on water and vegetables (leeks, perhaps?!) and devoting himself to works of mercy.  He was much loved.

In art, St David is usually depicted in Episcopal vestments, standing on a mound with a dove at his shoulder, in memory of his share at an important Synod for the Welsh Church, the Synod of Brevi.

9^th March    Savio  1842 - 57

The hit film Slumdog Millionaire touched millions of people with its story of a youngster triumphing against all the odds.  Dominic Savio did the same thing.  In fact, he is a good patron ‘child saint’ for 2009 – this year of recession and of the International Year of the Child.

Savio was born into a poor family in Riva, near Turin. There were 10 children. The father was a blacksmith, the mother a seamstress.  Somehow, they managed school fees, and when Dominic was 12, he was sent to the famous school of John Bosco at Turin.

A strict Roman Catholic school wasn’t exactly the set for ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’, but Savio loved it.   He responded with enthusiasm to the wise and moderate spiritual guidance of Bosco, and began to grow.   Instead of turning into a fanatic or prig, he was soon widely loved for his cheerfulness and friendliness to all.  He was respected by fellow students for his mature, sound advice.  Behind it all lay the key:  Savio had discovered God for himself, and had responded with all his heart:   – one story of him tells how he was rapt in prayer for six hours continuously.

Sadly,  Dominic Savio contracted tuberculosis.  Like AIDS today, it was incurable.  He accepted his disease with dignity and composure.  He did not fear death – his deep and radiant faith assured him that something far better lay beyond.

Savio died aged only 15.  He had never been a millionaire; his riches lay in his faith in Jesus Christ.  The memory of this lovable lad lived on, so deeply had he touched the hearts of the people who knew him.  Over 100 years later he was still remembered – and made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

22^nd March     Mothering Sunday

There is an old Jewish saying: 

           God could not be everywhere,

           and therefore He made mothers.

Mother Church, Mother Earth, Mother of the Gods - our human mothers - all of them have been part of the celebration of ‘Mothering Sunday’ - as the fourth Sunday in Lent is affectionately known.

In Roman times, great festivals were held every Spring to honour Cybele, Mother of all the Gods.  Other pagan festivals in honour of Mother Earth were also celebrated.  With the arrival of Christianity, the festival became one honouring Mother Church.

During the Middle Ages, young people apprenticed to craftsmen or working as ‘live-in’ servants were allowed only one holiday a year on which to visit their families - which is how ‘Mothering Sunday’ got its name.  This special day became a day of family rejoicing, and the Lenten fast was broken.  In some places the day was called Simnel Day, because of the sweet cakes called simnel cakes traditionally eaten on that day.