Saint Columba

NAME Saint Columba, also known as Colum Cille, meaning “Dove of the Church.”

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Saint Columba is celebrated for his role in spreading Christianity to Scotland and founding the monastery at Iona, which became a significant center of learning, spirituality, and missionary activity in early medieval Europe.

BIRTH Columba was born on December 7, 521, in Gartan, near Lough Gartan, in what is now County Donegal, Ireland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Columba, a descendant of Irish royalty, was born to Fedhlimidh and Eithne of the Uí Néill clan in Gartan, near Lough Gartan, Donegal. His father, a powerful Ulster warlord, was a kinsman of reigning Irish and Scottish princes. This lineage connected Columba to Niall of the Nine Hostages, a renowned fourth-century Irish king. 

CHILDHOOD As a youth, Columba was drawn to the Christian faith and displayed a deep sense of spirituality from an early age. Little is documented about his childhood, but he likely grew up surrounded by Gaelic traditions and the growing influence of the Christian faith.

EDUCATION As was customary for Irish aristocratic children, Columba was given to foster parents for his education. His foster parent and teacher was a priest named Cruithnechán (also spelled Crunathan), who also baptized him

When he was sufficiently advanced in his studies, Columba entered the monastic school of Movilla at Newtownards, under Saint Finnian. This occurred when he was about twenty years old and already a deacon,

After Movilla, Columba became a pupil at the monastic school at Clonard Abbey, situated on the River Boyne in modern County Meath. Clonard was one of the most significant centers of learning in 6th century Ireland, with an estimated 3,000 scholars under instruction. Clonard Abbey was governed at that time by Finnian of Clonard. Columba was one of twelve students of Finnian of Clonard who became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

Columba also studied under Mobhí Clárainech at his monastery in Glasnevin, which was frequented by other famous religious figures of the time.

It's worth noting that Columba's education wasn't limited to monasteries. He also studied under an aged bard named Gemman, where he likely learned about poetry and the bardic tradition. 

Columba's education provided him with a deep understanding of scripture, Latin, and Christian theology.

CAREER RECORD After completing his education, Columba founded several important monasteries in Ireland,

Around 563 AD, at the age of 42, Columba and twelve companions left Ireland and settled on the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland. He founded the monastery at Iona, which became both a base for Christian missionary work and a center of learning. This became the base for his missionary work among the Picts.

From Iona, Columba spread Christianity throughout Scotland, particularly among the Picts and the Gaels of Dál Riata. He is credited with converting many to Christianity and playing a significant role in the Christianization of Scotland.

Columba became an important figure in the politics of the region, often serving as a diplomat between various tribes. He was involved in the coronation of King Aidan of Dalriada and participated in the important Synod of Drumceatt in Ireland

Columba’s work had a lasting influence on Christianity in Scotland and Northern England, with many of his followers continuing his mission after his death.

APPEARANCE : According to Adamnan, Columba's biographer, he was "angelic in appearance, graceful in speech, holy in work. This description suggests he had a striking or charismatic presence.

According to tradition, Columba was described as tall and of dignified mien3. This aligns with the idea of him having a commanding presence.

Columba was said to have a strong, sweet, and sonorous voice that could be heard at great distances. This might imply he was a man of some physical stature.

Columba banging on the gate of Bridei, son of Maelchon, King of Fortriu.

FASHION Columba  wore the simple garments of a Celtic monk, which would have included a woolen robe and a hood, in keeping with the austere lifestyle he adopted.

As an Irish monk, Columba would have had the distinctive Celtic tonsure, a hairstyle that was different from the Roman tonsure

CHARACTER Columba was known for his courage, resilience, and profound faith. His personality was marked by a strong sense of duty and discipline, as well as a fiery temperament, which he learned to temper over time.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Stories of his encounters with locals and his pragmatic approach to leadership suggest he had a warm side, which endeared him to his followers.

One story recounts Columba was sitting around a table with some other monks, sharing stories and laughter. As the conversation turned to the miraculous tale of Findlugan, who had been protected by Columba's robe and spear, a monk inquired about the fate of Manus Dextera. Columba solemnly replied, "He is dead...as of this very moment."

RELATIONSHIPS Columba maintained close bonds with his fellow monks and followers. He had a respectful but complex relationship with secular rulers, including Brude, King of the Picts, whom he baptized.

MONEY AND FAME While Columba was born into a noble family, he renounced wealth, choosing instead a life of poverty in line with monastic principles. His fame as a holy man grew across the British Isles, attracting pilgrims to Iona.

FOOD AND DRINK Saint Columba's diet was a reflection of his austere lifestyle as a monk. The staple foods of his diet were simple and nourishing. Porridge, made from barley or oats, was a primary source of sustenance. Barley or oat cakes provided additional carbohydrates. Bread, often made from meal or flour mixed with water, was a common food. For a special treat, milk or honey might be added to the bread dough. However, these ingredients were considered luxuries.

To further demonstrate his commitment to a simple and disciplined life, Columba drank only water. He also practiced regular fasting, which was a common practice among monks of his time. His diet, therefore, was focused on sustenance rather than pleasure, aligning with his religious devotion and self-discipline.

MUSIC AND ARTS Saint Columba was a man of diverse interests, encompassing music and the arts.

Music was a significant aspect of Columba's life. His strong, melodious voice was renowned, and he likely played a role in cultivating musical traditions within the monastic communities he founded.

Columba’s life and work have inspired numerous other artistic and musical tributes over the centuries.

LITERATURE As a revered patron saint of poets, Columba is believed to have composed several poems, including two Latin hymns. While the exact number of his poems is uncertain, some sources attribute up to 300 to him. His poem "Altus Prosator" is particularly well-known.

Columba was deeply passionate about books and learning. He tirelessly sought to acquire and copy Psalters, Bibles, and other valuable manuscripts for his monks. In fact, it is estimated that he personally copied up to 300 manuscripts in his lifetime. The monasteries he established, particularly Iona, became important centers of literary production and preservation.

The scriptoria in these monasteries were renowned for producing beautifully illuminated manuscripts, although the Book of Kells, often associated with Columba's legacy, was likely completed after his death.

Columba was proficient in both Latin and Gaelic, composing works in both languages. He was also a strong advocate for education, encouraging the teaching of reading and writing in his monasteries.

At the assembly of Druim Cetta in 575, Columba defended poets who were facing criticism from the Irish ruling class, demonstrating his commitment to preserving artistic traditions. His early education under a bard exposed him to various aspects of Irish cultural knowledge, including poetry.

His legacy lives on in religious and historical texts, such as The Life of Saint Columba, written by  Adomnán, the ninth abbot of the Columban brotherhood at Iona (679–704). Life of Saint Columba (Latin: Vita Columbae) is the most comprehensive and revered biography of Saint Columba. It draws from the oral traditions and records of the monastery and provides a detailed portrayal of Columba's life, miracles, and spiritual achievements. 

NATURE Columba’s life and work were deeply tied to the rugged landscape of Iona. His connection to the natural world is evident in his respect for his surroundings and the stories of his journeys across Ireland and Scotland.

PETS Columba was described as "tender and kind even to animals that were attracted to him." He often spoke about the need to show kindness to animals. There are stories of Columba having an extraordinary rapport with various animals. For example, he is said to have calmed savage beasts like boars and serpents.

In one account, Columba received a vision that a wounded heron would land on the shore. When it arrived as predicted, Columba cared for it tenderly and released it back into the wild.

Columba's life is filled with tales of miracles attributed to his divine power, particularly during his mission to convert the Picts. One of the most famous stories involves an encounter with a mysterious creature, often linked to the legendary Loch Ness Monster.  On August 22, 565, Columba came across a group of Picts mourning a man who had been killed by the creature while swimming. As one of his followers, Lugne, dove into the water to retrieve a boat, he too was attacked by the beast. In response, Columba made the sign of the cross and commanded the creature to retreat in the name of God. The monster, terrified, immediately fled the scene. This story, while likely embellished, illustrates the belief that Columba had power over even the most fearsome creatures.

One of the most touching stories involves Columba's beloved horse. On the day Columba was going to die, his horse approached him, seeming to know his master was about to pass away. The horse began to weep, and they shared a moment of grief together. This story highlights the deep bond Columba had with animals.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Columba's interests were diverse, encompassing music and scholarship. He compiled a Hymnal for the Week and possessed a strong, melodious voice, suggesting his involvement in musical traditions. His intellectual curiosity led him to study Greek, chronology, and astronomy. As a skilled teacher, he imparted knowledge to his monks, shaping them into learned individuals.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Columba’s influence in science was indirect, as he helped establish Iona as a center for learning, where future monks studied various disciplines, including early mathematics and astronomy.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY In 563, at the age of 42, Columba, accompanied by twelve disciples, founded a community on the island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland.

The year following his arrival on Iona, Columba baptized Brude, the King of the Picts, converting him to Christianity. The stone altar used in this and numerous other ceremonies is believed to be the legendary Stone of Scone, the ancient coronation stone of Scottish monarchs. This stone remained a central part of Scottish coronation rituals for centuries and is now incorporated into the Coronation Chair used by British monarchs.

From this base, he embarked on a mission to convert the Pictish tribes inhabiting the region beyond the Grampian Mountains. His missionary efforts proved highly successful, with him and his disciples traveling extensively across the Pictish mainland (modern-day Scotland), the Hebrides, and the Orkneys, establishing numerous mission stations.

The Iona monastery served as the mother house, exercising authority over all the monasteries founded by Columba and his disciples, including those in northern England. Columba dedicated the last 34 years of his life to organizing and strengthening this ecclesiastical system in Scotland.

Columba established a unique ecclesiastical system, where bishops were subordinate to abbots, and Easter was celebrated on a different date than in Roman churches.

Columba’s teachings emphasized the Celtic Christian philosophy, which valued nature, community, and the continuity of the soul. His theology combined aspects of early Christian mysticism with a practical, missionary focus.

POLITICS Columba navigated a complex political landscape in both Ireland and Scotland. His influence extended into political realms, most notably when he anointed Aedan mac Gabrain as King of Dalriada in 574 AD, marking the first recorded anointing of a king in Western Europe.

SCANDAL Columba once visited his former tutor, Finnian the Abbot, and was captivated by a magnificent manuscript, a Gospel not yet in his possession. Eager to study the text more closely, Columba requested permission to copy it. However, Finnian refused, claiming that the manuscript was unique and could not be replicated.

Undeterred, Columba secretly copied the manuscript night after night. When Finnian discovered his actions, he demanded the copy back, but Columba refused. The dispute escalated, and the case was brought before Diarmud, the High King. The King's judgment was that both manuscripts belonged to Finnian, citing a law that equated a copy of a book to its offspring.

Deeply disappointed and remorseful, Columba turned to his clan, the O'Neills, seeking to avenge the perceived injustice. This dispute ultimately led to the Battle of Cul Dremhne in 561, a conflict that resulted in significant casualties. Horrified by the bloodshed and realizing his responsibility, Columba swore to spend the rest of his life in prayer and penance. He also vowed never to return to Irish soil.

In fulfillment of his vow, Columba dedicated himself to founding churches and monasteries in the western regions of Scotland, leaving a lasting legacy of faith and learning.

A dispute over a manuscript led to the Battle of Cúl Drebene in 561, with Columba accused of inciting the conflict. Afterward, he was said to have taken up missionary work in Scotland as penance for his role in the incident.

MILITARY RECORD Although he was not a warrior, Columba’s influence over his noble clan could sway political and military decisions. His encounter with the Loch Ness Monster is a famed story that illustrates his bravery and protective nature.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Columba was active and strong, traveling frequently by foot and boat. His physical endurance reflected the rugged lifestyle of early Celtic monks.

HOMES Columba resided in simple, stone “beehive” huts on Iona, embracing the austere life of a monk in a monastery he founded.

TRAVEL Columba departed Ireland in 563 with twelve companions, setting sail in a simple wicker boat covered in hides. His destination was the northern tribes of Britain, where he intended to spread the Christian faith. Upon landing on the island of Iona, he symbolically buried his boat, ensuring that he would not be tempted to return to his homeland.

Columba later traveled extensively in Scotland to spread Christianity, even venturing to Inverness to meet the Pictish king.

DEATH On June 9, 597, Columba died at the age of 75. He passed away on the steps of his monastery’s altar, his face radiating joy, and was buried by his monks on Iona.

Many sources indicate that Columba was initially buried on the island of Iona, where he founded his famous monastery and spent the last years of his life.  Some traditions claim that Columba's remains were later moved and reburied in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, alongside St. Patrick and St. Brigid 

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Columba has been depicted in numerous artworks, religious hymns, and television programs celebrating Celtic saints. His story remains influential in media portraying early Christian history in Ireland and Scotland.

The Celtic band Iona released Open Sky in 2000, an album inspired by Celtic Christian themes. The track "Hinba" refers to the island retreat where Columba is said to have experienced profound visions of God’s glory. This mystical element of Columba’s story highlights his deep spiritual life and contemplative practices, and the song by Iona evokes the serene yet powerful spirituality associated with Columba’s time on Hinba, drawing listeners into the peaceful yet intense experience of Celtic monastic life.

Benjamin Britten’s hymn, "A Hymn of St Columba," composed for the 1,400th anniversary of Columba’s voyage to Iona, is another notable musical tribute. Britten requested that it be sung “with fire,” capturing the intense passion and commitment that Columba demonstrated throughout his missionary life.

ACHIEVEMENTS Columba is revered for founding the Iona Abbey, converting the northern tribes of Scotland to Christianity, and establishing a precedent for anointing kings in the British Isles. His legacy endures in both religious and cultural contexts across Ireland and Scotland.

Saint Columba's feast day is June 9th, the day of his passing.