Born in Leinster, Ireland; died 548; feast may also be December 13.
Saint Columba, son of the Leinster noble named Crimthain, was a disciple
of
Saint Finnian (f.d. today)
and himself became a great master of the
spiritual life.
Finnian often had
Saint Senach (f.d. March 8)
keep an eye on the younger
seminarians at Clonard. Once Senach reported back to the holy abbot that
he found Columba kneeling in prayer, oblivious to everything about him,
with his arms stretched out to heaven and the birds alighting on his
shoulders. Finnian replied, "He is the one who will offer the Holy
Sacrifice for me at my death."
After founding and governing the monastery of Tyrdaglas on the Shannon
in Munster, Saint Columba died of the plague. He is generally described
as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and is also the co-founder of
Clonenagh with
Saint Fintan (f.d. February 17)
who became its second
abbot, and of Iniscaltra (Holy Island in the Shannon)
(
Benedictines,
D'Arcy,
Healy,
Husenbeth,
Montague,
Ryan).
Troparion of St Columba of Leinster
Tone 8
O pious Columba, as a disciple of our Father Finnian and a renowned
struggler, thou didst shine forth in the ascetic life.
O Ireland's
treasure, cease not to pray for those who labour, weeping and repenting,
for the salvation of their souls.