St. Colmcille (521-597) is one of Ireland’s three greatest patron saints, along with St. Patrick and St. Brigid. He is still celebrated today (June 9) for his predominant role in the evangelization of Ireland.
The latter is well known for having participated in the evangelization of Ireland, Scotland and the North of England. The latter is said to have taken “the good word” to pagan peoples, and founded numerous churches to promote the spread of Christianity.
Also known as Columba, a Latin version of Colum, the suffix “cille” was added to the end of its name, meaning“of the churches“. A reference to the large number of churches he was able to found on the island of Ireland.
Between history and legend, the man has a very special aura in Ireland. Here’s why.
St. Colmcille was born on December 7, 521, into a wealthy Irish clan: the O’Neills of Tyrconnel, a royal family ruling Donegal at the time. His father, Feidlimid mac Fergus Cendfota mac Conall Gulban is the very founder of the clan. His grandfather was the famous supreme king (Ard ri Érenn) Niall Noigiallach (399-432).
As a young man, Saint Columba discovered Christianity and, at the age of 20, entered Clonard Abbey on the River Boyne in present-day County Meath. He worked under the influence of his mentor, Saint Finian de Clonard.
When a cousin prince gave him land in Derry, he decided to found his own monastery. This enabled him to travel around Northern Ireland teaching Christianity to pagans.
Very active, Colmcille founded some thirty monasteries in just 10 years, including :
Also deeply involved in politics, St. Colmcille is sometimes at the center of conflicts and rivalries within his own family. His strong personality, coupled with his energetic preaching, earned him the wrath of many. He was accused of starting a war between two Irish tribes!
After the death of Prince Curnan of Connaught – whom Colmcille was supposed to protect – a number of ecclesiastics and scholars even considered excommunicating him!
Instead, Colmcille was condemned by the High King of Ireland never to see the Emerald Isle again, and was sentenced to exile in Scotland in 563 with 12 of his companions. He then settled on a darkly charming Scottish island called Iona, where he spent the last years of his life under the protection of the Scottish king Conall mac Comgaill de Dalriada.
He then made the island of Iona his HQ to help Christianize Scotland and northern England. He converted the Pictish people, spread Christianity throughout Scotland, and became a religious icon. He produced over 300 manuscripts, spent his time fasting and praying, taught Christian doctrine to the monks of his abbey, and copied the Holy Scriptures.
In 575, Colmcille was recalled by the High King of Ireland, to arbitrate a dispute between the High King and the League of Poets. Insisting on remaining true to the terms of his exile, that he would never “see” Ireland again, he decided to travel blindfolded.
He addressed the assembled nobles and clergy with such force and authority that he succeeded in pacifying the existing conflict… and became an eminently respected figure in Ireland. We admire his devotion, his holiness, and his ferocious intellectual appetite.
There are many stories about the Irish Saint. But one of the tastiest would have to be his encounter with Nessie in Scotland!
On August 22nd 565, St Colmcille is said to have encountered the Loch Ness monster… A phenomenon considered to be the very first reference to the mythical Scottish beast!
On his trip to Scotland, Columba was supposed to cross Loch Ness, but Nessie obviously had other plans! And so, the legendary monster appeared before the saint. The latter then raised his hand to make the sign of the cross, and ordered the beast:
This is as far as you go, and you won’t touch the man! Leave immediately!
At the saint’s voice, the monster fled as if terrified.
The local pagans would have been greatly impressed by this miracle, and would have agreed to convert to Christianity without further ado!
There’s only one step between myth and legend: we’ll leave you to judge the veracity of this anecdote!
By the time he returned to Iona, Saint Colmcille was a highly accomplished and respected figure in Scotland, England and Ireland.
Far from seeking posterity, he ended his life on his island, surrounded by his priests and devotees. He died on June 9, 597 at the incredible age of 75! He was then buried on site by his monks, in his abbey.
Unfortunately, in 794, the Vikings raided Iona and looted many of the relics Colmcille had acquired during his lifetime.
Saint Colmcille’s body was then moved and repatriated to Ireland, to Downpatrick, where he was buried in the village cemetery alongside 2 other saints of great importance: Saint Patrick (385-461) and Saint Brigitte (451-525).
Today, the Irish commemorate St. Columba every year on June 9 with religious ceremonies. A very important moment in contemporary Irish society!
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