St Columba (Columcilla)

“He had the face of an angel; he was of an excellent nature, polished in
speech, holy in deed, great in counsel, loving unto all.”
Adamnan, author of the Life of Columba

Saint Columba is one of best-known of all the Celtic Saints; he was born in Ireland and spent much of his life in Scotland.
Sixty years after the death of Saint Patrick, a son was born to a chieftain in Donegal, in Ireland. He was given the name ‘Colum’ which in Gaelic means ‘dove’, and when he grew old enough he was sent to become a student of the wise St Finian, who had founded a famous centre of learning at Clonand.
As Columba, the Latin version of his name, grew older, his courage and wisdom increased, and he became one of his master’s most trusted pupils.
Upon leaving St Finian, Columba began to travel about Ireland, speaking to the people, and founding communities, which later grew into towns or cities, such as Derry, Dunow, or Kells.Columba was not only an inspired speaker, but also one of the most gifted scribes of his day. He is said to have created over 300 books, several of which still survive, and he made them beautiful with decorative letters, coloured inks, drawings, and patterns.

At the age of 44 Columba left Ireland with twelve companions, and sailed in a little currach (a small boat) made of wickerwork and hides across to the island of Iona.This island had been granted to St Columba by his kinsman, King Conall*, and lay between the West coast of Ireland and the North of Scotland.
Here Columba and his companions built dwellings of wattles and rough planks, and once they had made a home for themselves, Columba chose two men named Comgall and Canice, and travelled across the water to Caledonia (or Scotland).

The King of those parts dwelt near Inverness, and his name was Brude. When the strangers arrived they were denied access, but Columba made his way into the court to speak to the King.Although alarmed at first, Brude was greatly struck by the stranger’s manner and appearance, and as he listened to Columba’s words, he was filled with wonder.He promised to assist Columba in his endevours, and gave him full permission to travel throughout the land, speaking to and helping the people.

Father of the People
Thus began the first of Columba’s journeys through the glens and woods of Northern Scotland. The inhabitants grew to love and honour him, and came to him for guidance and advice.
When he was not travelling, Columba returned to Iona where he was engaged in copying sacred texts.In spite of the stormy waters that surrounded the island, many people travelled across the sea to speak with him, and Columba also became famous as a prophet and a healer.

“A holy joyousness ever beamed from his countenance,
revealing the gladness which filled his soul.”
AdamnanThe Book of Columba

One story relates how, whilst dwelling on Iona, Columba summoned one of his companions, and told him that in three days time he was to go down to the shore, and wait for a crane who had been blown out of his course by the winds.
“He will be weary and fatigued,” he said, and shall sink down exhausted on the beach. Take him gently up, and carry him to a neighbouring house. Feed and nurse him for three days and three nights, and then, when he is strong again, let him fly back to the pleasant part of Ireland that is his home.
The young man obeyed, and on the third day, at the ninth hour, he went down to the shore, as he had been bidden, to watch for the expected guest. As soon as the crane alighted before him, he picked it up and carried it to a house that stood nearby.After being nursed and fed for three days, the bird regained its strength, and rising to a great height flew back across the sea to Ireland.

The Last Days of Columba
As the years passed, Columba’s fame and influence increased, extending, according to one account all over Scotland and Britain and into France, Spain and Italy.
He personally selected men to govern the surrounding kingdoms, and they often came to him for advice.
In his 77th year, Columba told his companions that he was soon to leave this world.
They began to weep, but he comforted them, and set off homewards with an attendant.When he had walked halfway, he sat down on the roadside to rest.
While he sat there, a white horse, that used to carry the milk vessels from the cow-shed to the monastery, came and laid his head against his chest.The attendant would have driven the animal away, but Columba forbade him saying:
“Let him alone. Behold, you are a man, with a rational soul, and yet you know nothing of my going hence, save what I have told you. But this beast understands that his master is soon to leave him, and he is bidding me farewell.”

St Columba returned homeward, and that night his prediction was fulfilled, and he passed quietly away in the company of the men who were so dear to him.

Tradition maintains that on the eve of his death, Columba uttered this prediction regarding Iona:

“In Iona of my heart, Iona of my love, one day instead of monks’ voices shall be the lowing of cattle. But I foretell that ere the world shall come to an end, Iona shall be as it was.”

One story relates how, before the birth of Columba, his mother had a wonderful dream.
A heavenly being came to her, bringing a robe of extraordinary beauty, in which all the colours of the flowers appeared mingled together.
She held it in her arms, but after a short while the angel took it back and having raised it and spread it out, let it fly through the air.
“Why do you take this lovely cloak from me so soon?” asked the woman.
“Because the mantle is of such honour that it cannot stay longer with you,” replied the angel.

Then the woman saw the mantle expand and grow until it was larger than the mountains and the forests.

“Woman, do not grieve,” said the heavenly being. “For to you and this man to whom you have been joined in marriage shall be born a son, of so beautiful a character that he shall be honoured and revered by innumerable souls, and shall guide them along the path of truth and wisdom.”

Then the woman awoke, and was filled with joy at the wonder she had seen.
Adapted from Adomnan’s Life of St Columba

*other stories relate that the island was given to Columba by the tribesmen of Northern Scotland.