Feast day: November 23

St. Columban

Abbot, Missionary · 543–615

Patron of —

The greatest of the Irish missionary monks, who with twelve companions crossed to the Continent and founded a string of monasteries from France to Italy that reshaped European Christianity.

Columban — Columbanus — was the greatest of the Irish missionary monks who carried the faith and learning of Ireland across early medieval Europe. Born in Leinster about 543, he became a monk at the famous monastery of Bangor, and about 590, with twelve companions, set out on a lifelong 'pilgrimage for Christ' that would take him across the Continent.

In the Frankish lands, then sunk in disorder and lax religion, he founded monasteries that became great centres of holiness and study — above all Luxeuil, in the Vosges — and drew so many recruits that the Irish monastic movement reshaped the religious map of Gaul. He brought with him the strict, austere discipline of the Irish monks and was unbending in upholding it.

His fearless preaching of moral reform made him powerful enemies. When he rebuked the Frankish king for his sins and refused to bless his illegitimate children, he was seized and ordered deported back to Ireland — but escaped, and continued his mission, preaching even to the still-pagan peoples around Lake Constance.

Crossing the Alps in old age, he founded his last and most famous monastery at Bobbio, in northern Italy, which became a renowned seat of learning. He died there in 615. Columbanus — learned, fiery, and holy — stands as the prototype of the Irish 'peregrini' whose wandering for Christ helped re-evangelize Europe.

His monks re-evangelized much of post-Roman Europe; he rebuked kings and even popes, and his foundations like Luxeuil and Bobbio became great centers of learning.

Image: Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: newadvent.org/cathen/04137a.htm