The Society of St David

The Society is currently in suspension but should the following information be of interest or use to you please do feel welcome to use it as is most meaningful and useful for you.

The Society of St David is one of the oldest societies in the University. It can trace its origins to 1910, when it was known as Cymdeithas Gatholig, or the Catholic Guild.  The society came into existence  when a large number of catholic minded men (at this point only men were admitted into the college) came together under a rule of life with three objectives in mind:  to deepen the spiritual life; to promote a spirit of fellowship and to cultivate a high estimate of the calling to the Sacred Ministry.  These three objectives can still be seen in the chapel’s work today where the focus is very much upon the development of the spiritual life, from which flows a spirit of fellowship.  The chapel is still a valuable place for bringing on students with a calling to the ministry and has several vocations a year as a result.

From the beginning the Catholic Guild (which later became known as the Society of St David) focused upon a deepening and sharing of the spiritual life.  The main meetings (held on a Sunday night) included discussions on a wide range of topics.  For instance, in its early years there were papers and discussions on The Ideal Liturgy, The Personal Life of the Priest, Ceremonial and Church Reform; all showing the seriousness with which the religious life was held.  The society focused upon the living and deepening of the spiritual life.  Both staff and students were heavily involved in this through participation in discussions, delivering papers and supporting the society financially.

For many years the Society of St David was the Anglo-Catholic society in the university, maintaining very close links to the chapel through its regular weekly and occasional high masses throughout the year.  One of the most notable and ardent supporters of the society was the Revd W H Harris. A chalice and paten given in memory of Fr. Harris are used in the chapel.

Another early tradition of the society was the yearly pilgrimage to St David’s Cathedral. This was already an integral part of the society in 1928.  Attempts to keep the pilgrimage a solemn and spiritual occasion were not always easy, as many looked for any excuse for a day out of Lampeter with the opportunity to visit various pubs at St David’s, rather than a spiritual pilgrimage. (The annual pilgrimage still continues today and incorporates a mixture of both as it probably did then!)

 
Caröe's figure of Christ from the Chapel reredos (Photo: Martin Crampin)

Rule of Life

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God –What is good and acceptable and perfect.  Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another.  We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour.  Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the poor; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves.  If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Adapted from St Paul’s letter to the Romans Chapter 12

Mission Statement

The University Chapel seeks to be a true witness to Christ, his Church and Gospel in the university environment.  It seeks to serve all members of the university with the dignity and compassion demanded from the Gospel, and to be a source of unity and focus for the whole campus.  It is to be a place of prayer and spiritual nourishment and offers a space where all members of the community may find refuge and peace.

‘Brothers and sisters be joyful, and keep your faith and belief, and do the little things which you have heard and seen with me.’
St David

The Society of Saint David’s Prayer

O Lord we pray that you may guide and govern the work of St David’s University.
Pour forth your Spirit upon those who teach here.
Grant that students may find here a house sanctified by a desire for God and a love of learning; that they may be brought to serve you with all the heart, with all the soul, and with all the mind.
We pray too for all past students, that by their gifts and talents they may be enabled in their several callings to serve you truly and diligently, to the greater glory of your name, and the benefit of your holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.