Saint Columban’s Story

Columban was the greatest of the Irish missionaries who worked on the European continent. As a young man who was greatly tormented by temptations of the flesh, he sought the advice of a religious woman who had lived a hermit’s life for years. He saw in her answer a call to leave the world. He went first to a monk on an island in Lough Erne, then to the great monastic seat of learning at Bangor.

After many years of seclusion and prayer, he traveled to Gaul with 12 companion missionaries. They won wide respect for the rigor of their discipline, their preaching, and their commitment to charity and religious life in a time characterized by clerical laxity and civil strife. Columban established several monasteries in Europe which became centers of religion and culture.

Like all saints, he met opposition. Ultimately he had to appeal to the pope against complaints of Frankish bishops, for vindication of his orthodoxy and approval of Irish customs. He reproved the king for his licentious life, insisting that he marry. Since this threatened the power of the queen mother, Columban was deported back to Ireland. His ship ran aground in a storm, and he continued his work in Europe, ultimately arriving in Italy, where he found favor with the king of the Lombards. In his last years he established the famous monastery of Bobbio, where he died. His writings include a treatise on penance and against Arianism, sermons, poetry, and his monastic rule.

REFLECTION

Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well. Luke 17:19

The story of the ten lepers is one of my favorite gospels. I believe it is often misinterpreted and its real depth is lost. It is more than a tale of someone being grateful. When the one leper comes back to Jesus, he doesn’t just say, “Thank you.” No, he falls on his face at Jesus’ feet and praises God. In Old Testament times, people fell on their faces as a result of a theophany, that is, God’s presence manifested. The leper realizes that the Divine presence in Jesus healed him. So, he falls on his face at Jesus’ feet, praises God and gives thanks. Jesus then pronounces a word of salvation: “Your faith has saved you.” To recognize what God has done for us in Jesus and to give thanks is to enter into God’s saving grace. Do you recognize and give thanks for the wonders that he has done for you?