First-Name Basis

It’s only Tuesday as I type, but I’ve already cleared my calendar for Friday. After all, I have a very important day ahead of me. So important in fact, I need to organize a parade, raise a flag, and prepare unique dishes for the expected throng of adoring fans. But why am I wasting words on the details? You already know we’re celebrating Saint David’s Day in a few days, don’t you?

They’ll be celebrating in Wales, at least, just as they do every first day of March.  You’ll find my cathedral there too, way down in the southwest corner of the country.  Well, St Davids Cathedral, I mean.  And the funny thing is, he’s not the David you’re thinking of, the one from the Bible who took down Goliath as a boy and became king as a man.  This David helped to spread Christianity throughout the UK, united the Welsh people against a warring England, and performed several miracles.  David’s a big deal in Wales.

David’s parade (not Patrick’s)

St. Patrick’s an even bigger deal, of course.  At least Patrick rates a celebration in the U.S.  But admit it, you’re not celebrating Patrick’s spread of Christianity throughout Ireland, nor his miracle of removing all snakes from the land.  You’re thinking more about what garment of green to wear, four-leaf clovers, beer, and maybe, just maybe, this is the year you participate in your local St. Paddy’s Day 5k.

Nice cathedral, Dave

This business of saints is interesting to me because, well, it’s not as defined as I was led to believe.  The rules and processes to put “Saint” in front a first name are a little vague.  Suffice it to say, you need to be a model citizen, as well as a teacher, person of influence, and someone who cares little for the material goods and comforts of this world.  I know a lot of people who fill this bill, but add in “wonder worker” or “source of benevolent power” and the list drops to zero.

Do you know the way to… ?

Saints are also on my mind because I grew up in California and, well, they’re all over the place out there.  Francisco to the north.  Diego to the south.  Barbara somewhere in the middle.  My childhood home was right down the street from Monica.  My brother lives in Fernando’s valley.  99.9% of the state’s residents think of those as “places”, but firstly they were people.  You’ll find “San’s” and “Santa’s” all over the Golden State.

Saints get a little watered down when you consider the Catholic Church’s take on them.  More than 10,000 have been recognized over time.  Even more to the point, Catholics acknowledge anyone making it to heaven to be a saint.  I’d hope that count is way more than 10,000 by now.  Maybe it’s the reason we have patron saints: the cream of the crop, the ones regarded as “heavenly advocates of particular nations, families, or people”.  My patron saint isn’t David by default, but I sure like his name.

Eat Welsh Rarebit when you celebrate on Friday (grilled cheese on toast, zero rabbit)

Admittedly, my mind wanders somewhere other than historical figures when I think of saints.  Our dog is a Saint Bernard, one of those gentle giants you picture with a brandy brandy around the neck.  A few years ago we went on a cruise, with a stop in the Baltic Sea port of Saint Petersburg.  “St. Elmo’s Fire” is a luminous phenomenon caused by an atmospheric electric field. (also a pretty good movie from the 1980s).  And so on.

You can read a bit more about Saint David and his cathedral in one of my very first blog posts: unsung.  You’ll discover that his town of Pembrokeshire – the smallest kingdom enclave in the UK – is right across St. George’s Channel from the Irish town of Kildare, where you’ll find St. Brigid’s Cathedral, my wife’s namesake.  The blog post is really about Brigid but at least David gets a mention towards the end.  Even if you don’t “read a little more”, remember, Friday’s the big day.  Parades, flags, and fun food, all for a darned decent guy.  Makes me blush anytime somebody says, “Dave, you’re a saint.”

Some content sourced from Wikipedia, “the free encyclopedia”.

Author: Dave

Four hundred posts would suggest I have something to say… This blog was born from a desire to elevate the English language, highlighting eloquent words from days gone by. The stories I share are snippets of life itself, and each comes with a bonus: a dusted-off word I hope you’ll go on to use more often. Read “Deutschland-ish Improvements” to learn about my backyard European wish list. Try “Slush Fun” for the throwback years of the 7-Eleven convenience store. Or drink in "Iced Coffee" to discover the plight of the rural French cafe. On the lighter side, read "Late Night Racquet Sports" for my adventures with our latest moth invasion. As Walt Whitman said, “That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” Here then, my verse. Welcome to Life In A Word.

15 thoughts on “First-Name Basis”

    1. Trivia: the New Orleans Saints were officially formed on All Saints Day; hence the name. I’m trying to picture anyone in the NFL as a saint… nope, nobody comes to mind 🙂

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  4. I think you’ll have to make a trip out to the UK one year to celebrate with al the other Saint David lovers! I don’t know many people that have a Saint Bernard, just reminds me of watching Beethoven so many times as a kid.

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    1. We’ve already been to St. Brigid’s Cathedral in Ireland, so I’d say my wife owes me the trip to Wales ha. Saint Bernard’s are a wonderful breed (this is our second). They make good watchdogs for their size and bark, but honestly, they’re as gentle as they come.

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  6. Happy to be reminded a leek is a vegetable. Somehow I thought it was a snail, in which case I wouldn’t go anywhere near that hat. Escargot – ewwww.

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  7. Dydd Dewi Sant Hapus Dave! (And I hope that comment doesn’t end up in SPAM!) I’m sorry for the well wishes a day late – I am a bit behind. BTW, I didn’t Google those well wishes, but read them yesterday from a Welsh nature photographer/artist I follow and went back to retrieve that greeting for you. Whenever my mom misplaced something, which was rarely as she was more organized than me, she would say a prayer to Saint Anthony, the saint who finds lost objects. I once worked with an attorney who was Welsh and always celebrated St. David’s Day – he was festive and fun that one day; the rest of the year he was crusty old curmudgeon. 🙂 The Welsh Rarebit looks yummy – I love anything with cheese and it looks like a deluxe grilled cheese.

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    1. I’ve never received that elegant salutation before – thank you! Saint Anthony reminds me of Saint Christopher, whose medal wore around my neck for a short time in middle school (and the only necklace I ever wore), thinking he would keep me safe. I am a lover of grilled cheese just like you. Some day I’ll try authentic Welsh Rarebit and decide if there’s any difference 🙂

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      1. You’re welcome Dave. : ) I’m glad I saw Morgan’s greeting so I could share it with you. When I got my first car, my mom bought me a St. Christopher medal to put on the car visor to keep me safe. I have had the same medal since 1973. It has seen me through four cars (I keep my cars a long time, especially since I took the bus for decades). I hope we both get to try the real deal Welsh Rarebit one day!

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