Archive for March, 2021

St David’s Bingo

March 10th, 2021

St. David, who is known in the Welsh language as “Dewi Sant”, is the patron saint of Wales, and is venerated by both the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church. The date of his birth is uncertain, with suggestions ranging from as early as 462 to as late as 512, however a relatively large amount of information is known about his life.

The church usually celebrates the feast of St. David on March 1st, the anniversary of his death in 589. The date of the feast does move sometimes, for example in 2006, it was celebrated on February 28th by Roman Catholics, and on March 2nd by members of the Anglican Communion, because March 1st was Ash Wednesday, which is a day of penitence, and feast days are not celebrated on days of penitence.

St. David’s Day is celebrated both within Wales itself, as well as by Welsh expatriate communities around the world, including, of course, in the United States of America. For example a parade is helf in Cardiff, presentation are made to Welsh regiments in the British army, and Welsh people often wear daffodil, leeks, or traditional costumes, and social and community events are popular.

One idea for marking the occasion in schools, as well as a suitable activity for social and community gatherings it to play St. David’s bingo. This game is played exactly like the normal traditional game of bingo, except that instead of using bingo cards printed with numbers between 1 and 75, bingo cards with words or phrases relating to Wales are used instead.