June 9
Saint Columba or
Saint Columbkille
Priest, Abbot
(521 – 597)
“Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear when thou art near,
Oh king of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.”
Saint Columba
Click here for the Amazon page
or on the Book Cover Image above to buy it!
Click here for the Amazon page
or on the Book Cover Image above to buy it!
Click here for the Amazon page or on the Book Cover Image above to buy it!
Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
Columba was born on December 7, 521 to Fedlimid and Eithne in Gartan, a district beside Lough Gartan, in Tír Chonaill (mainly modern County Donegal) in the north of Ireland. When he was a boy, he was so often found praying in the town church that his friends called him Colm Cille (Dove of the Church). It was as Colm, or its Latin form Columba, that he was known for the rest of his life.
Started Many Monasteries in Ireland
In his early 20s, Columba was strongly influenced by one of his teachers, Saint Finian of Clonard, and asked to be ordained a priest. When a prince cousin gave him some land at Derry, he decided to start a Monastery. Because of his love of nature, Columba refused to build the Church facing east, as was the custom, he wanted to spare the lives of as many oak trees as he could. His foundation of another Monastery at Durrow 7 years later, was the beginning of an extraordinary decade during which he traveled through northern Ireland teaching about Christianity and inspiring many people by his personal holiness. He founded some 30 Monasteries in those 10 years.
Accused
Columba’s strong personality and forceful preaching aroused considerable antagonism. He was accused in 563 of starting a war between two Irish tribes and was sentenced by the high king never to see Ireland again, to spend the rest of his life in exile. This battle it is believed, resulted over what is today seen, as the first Copyright dispute in history – Columba had become involved in a quarrel with Saint Finian of Movilla Abbey over a psalter. Columba copied the manuscript at the Scriptorium under Finnian, intending to keep the copy. Saint Finnian disputed his right to keep it.
Sailed to Scotland
With 12 companions he sailed from the shores he loved and settled on a bleak island called Iona off the coast of Scotland. The monks made occasional visits to the Scottish mainland, where they preached Christianity. Soon their community had 150 members.
Respected His Exile
In 575, Columba was persuaded to visit Ireland to mediate a dispute between the high king and the league of poets. Insisting on remaining faithful to the terms of his exile, that he never see Ireland again, he traveled blindfolded. Although his sympathies were with the poets, his reputation was respected by everyone. He spoke to the assembled nobles and clergy with such force and authority that the king was persuaded to reverse his original decree and the hostility between the two parties was calmed.
Life on Iona
Columba spent the rest of his life on Iona praying, fasting and teaching his monks to read and copy the Scriptures. He provided inspiration for their Missionary efforts and was influential, in the politics of Scotland. Long before his death in 597 he was regarded as a saint by his fellow monks and is today a beloved figure in Irish tradition.
His Death
Columba died in Iona, Scotland on June 9, 597 at the age of 75. He was buried in 597 by his monks in the Abbey he created. His relics were removed in 849 and divided between Scotland and Ireland. The parts of the relics which went to Ireland are reputed to be buried in Downpatrick, County Down, with Saint Patrick and Saint Brigid of Ireland and at Saul Church neighbouring Downpatrick.
Born: December 7, 521 in Garten, County Donegal, Ireland
Died: June 9, 597 in Iona, Scotland
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: June 9
Patron Saint: Ireland
Source:
Reflection
Saint Columba (or Columbkille) reminds us that God often calls us to leave behind what is familiar in order to follow His greater purpose. Leaving Ireland after he was exiled, he journeyed to the island of Iona off of Scotland. There, he founded a monastery that became a beacon of prayer, learning, and missionary zeal. His life teaches us that faith sometimes asks for sacrifice, trust, and the courage to begin anew.
From that deep spiritual foundation of prayer and Scripture, Saint Columba became a missionary whose witness to Christ transformed lives, spreading the Gospel throughout Scotland. His example encourages us to root our daily lives in prayer so that our words and actions may become instruments of God’s peace.
While a great missionary, Saint Columba’s holiness also came through repentance and humility. Moments of conflict in his early life led him toward deeper conversion and service. He reminds us that God can use even our failures as the beginning of grace and renewal.
While you may not be exiled in the second half of your life like Saint Columba, pray for God’s grace, strength and wisdom to get you to great places spreading the love of Christ to those around you.
Prayers
Saint Columba,
You were the “Apostle of the Scottish Isles” who brought the light of the Gospel to distant lands filled with zeal for the Kingdom of God,
May your example encourage us to be faithful witnesses of Christ, in our words, actions
May the way we live our lives spread the love of Christ wherever we go, bringing hope and peace to those we encounter.
May we, like you, find strength and guidance in the quiet moments of prayer and be led by the Holy Spirit in all that we do.
Pray for those who work to spread the Gospel today, that they may be filled with the same zeal and love that inspired you.
Through your prayers, may we grow in holiness, and be granted the grace to fulfill our own mission in life, bringing glory to God and drawing others to His love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Saint Columba, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – How St. Columba Brought Catholicism and Civilization to Scotland
AnaStpaul – Saint of the Day – 9 June – Saint Columba of Iona (521-597) Apostle of the Picts, Apostle to Scotland
Catholic Ireland – Jun 9 – St Columba (Colmcille) of Iona (2), 521-597
Catholic Online – St Columba
CatholicSaints.Info – Saint Columba of Iona
Editions Magnificant – Saint Columba or Columkille Abbot (521-597)
New Advent – Edmonds, C.(1908). St. Columba. in the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St Columba or Colmcille, Abbot of Iona
Saint for a Minute – Saint Columba of Iona
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Columba (521-597)
Video Link
The Great Saint Columba – YouTube Video (The Story of Liberty)