Feast Day Of St.Columba

ABBOT OF IONA AND MISSIONARY (9 JUNE 597)


Iona Abbey

In the troubled and violent Dark Ages in Northern Europe, monasteries served as inns, orphanages, centers of learning, and even as fortresses. The light of civilization flickered dimly and might have gone out altogether if it had not been for these convent-shelters.

Columba, a stern and strong monk from Ireland, founded three such establishments. He founded the monasteries of Derry and Durrow in his native Ireland, and the island monastery of Iona on the coast of Scotland. Iona was the center of operations for the conversion of the Scots and Picts, and became the most famous religious house in Scotland. There Columba baptized Brude, King of the Picts, and later a King of the Scots came to this Abbot of the "Holy Isle" for baptism.
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The memory of Columba lives on in Scotland, and Iona, though desecrated during the Reformation, today houses a flourishing ecumenical religious community.

From James Kiefer at the Lectionary.

Further information on the Iona Community may be found at the link under the picture of the abbey.

Readings:

Psalm 97:1-2,7-12 or 98:1-4
1 Corinthians 3:11-23
Luke 10:17-20

PRAYER

O God, who by the preaching of your blessed servant Columba caused the light of the Gospel to shine in Scotland: Grant, we pray, that, having his life and labors in remembrance, we may show our thankfulness to you by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Padre Mickey has a wonderful post on Columba which includes a biography and beautiful illustrations.