Saint Columba

Abbot of Iona
(521–597)

Saint Columba, also known as Columkille, meaning Dove of the Church, was born on December 7, 521, of the royal O'Neill dynasty in County Donegal, Ireland. He was educated under Saint Finnian at Clonard and Saint Mobhi at Glasnevin, and was ordained a priest, though some accounts suggest he refused episcopal consecration out of humility. He founded numerous monasteries throughout Ireland, including the great monasteries of Derry, Durrow, and Kells.

Around the year 560 a bitter dispute arose over a psalter that Columba had secretly copied from a manuscript belonging to Saint Finnian of Moville. The matter was referred to the High King Diarmait, who ruled: To every cow her calf, and to every book its copy. Columba refused to accept this verdict, and a bloody battle at Cul Dreimhne followed, in which many men died. Stricken with remorse, Columba submitted to penance and accepted exile from Ireland as the price of his sin.

In 563, at the age of forty-two, Columba set sail with twelve companions and landed on the island of Iona off the western coast of Scotland. There he founded the monastery that became the center of Celtic Christianity, evangelizing the Picts of northern Scotland, sending missionaries throughout Britain and beyond, and producing a remarkable tradition of learning and art.

He died on June 9, 597, having knelt before the altar in the church of Iona at midnight. He is venerated as the patron saint of Scotland along with Saint Andrew. His feast is celebrated on June 9.