Hail, Saintly Abbot and Apostle to the Picts

                          St. Columba of Iona, St. Patrick and St. Brigid



Today is the feast of St. Columba of Iona (521 AD - 597 AD).

From Saints.SQPN :
Born to the Irish royalty, the son of Fedhlimidh and Eithne of the Ui Neill clan. Bard. Miracle worker. Monk at Moville. Spiritual student of Saint Finnian. Priest. Itinerant preacher and teacher throughout Ireland and Scotland. Spiritual teacher of Saint Corbmac, Saint Phelim, Saint Drostan, and Saint Fergna the White. Travelled to Scotland in 563. Exiled to Iona on Whitsun Eve, he founded a monastic community there and served as its abbot for twelve years. He and the monks of Iona, including Saint Baithen of Iona and Saint Eochod, then evangelized the Picts (Latin for "the painted ones"; the aboriginal people of Scotland), converting many, including King Brude. Attended the Council of Drumceat, 575. Legend says he wrote 300 books.

A prayer by St. Columba:
O Lord, grant us that love which can never die, which will enkindle our lamps but not extinguish them, so that they may shine in us and bring light to others. Most dear Savior, enkindle our lamps that they may shine forever in your temple. May we receive unquenchable light from you so that our darkness will be illuminated and the darkness of the world will be made less. Amen