St. Columba
Our patron saint, Columba was born at Gartan in Donegal County, Ireland, on
December 5, 521 AD. He died in 597 AD. His parents named him Crimtham (Pronounced
Criffan) meaning "a fox". This was not an unusual name at the time, as
it signifies the type of attributes that a Celtic noble would need throughout
his life - those of cunning and stealth. Later on Columba showed such
gentleness, sweetness of nature and a desire for things sacred, that those
around him called him Colm which means "a dove" and sometimes
Colmcille,
meaning "dove of the church". This latter is the name most often given
the saint in his native Ireland. More than likely St. Columba would have been
high king of Ireland had he not devoted his life to the best cause of all -
proclaiming
the message of Jesus Christ. He became a monk and founded many monasteries in
Ireland before going into self-imposed exile in the island of Iona off the cost
of Scotland.
A poet, scholar, and writer who obviously loved solitude, Columba
was at the same time highly involved in pastoral ministry as head of his
religious community on Iona and as a missionary to Scotland.
From Iona, he
evangelized Scotland with his companions. Columba was a man for our times - a negotiator, a reconciler, a peacemaker. Columba had
bridged a gap between the fledgling Christian culture and the pagan, druidic
culture of his time. It was not an easy task, and the alliance had tense and
difficult moments. The problems faced by Columba were the same ones that are
underlying the conflicts of cultures in our world today, and in his native
country at present. It is appropriate and timely to invoke the intercession of
St. Columba who has gone this road before us, and has been successful in
reaching that harmony and accord through which Celtic Christianity flourished
for many years.
St. Columba
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This page was last
updated 03/24/2007 12:09 PM
