St.  Columban

Columban was an Irish monk who lived in the sixth century and went as a missionary to mainland Europe.  There the practice of religion had collapsed. 

Columban and his companions began to preach the Gospel message far and wide.  Soon they became very well known and had a great influence on the practice of religion in Europe. He founded monasteries all over Southern Europe but because of his outspoken condemnation of immoral and unjust behaviour, particularly of the powerful, he was made to suffer much and was often driven from his monastery by kings and princes. 

Columban was a person who combined a deep spiritual life of union with God and an all-consuming zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel.  

Today, this spirit continues to inspire and challenge the present-day missionaries that bear his name.  

Columban died in a place called Bobbio in Northern Italy on November 23, 615

To Contact the Columban Sisters,
Email:

columbansrs@eircom.net

Prayer to St. Columban

O  Blessed St. Columban,
who in your zeal to follow Christ, left your homeland 
and spent your life in suffering and exile.

Help and protect, we humbly ask you, the missionaries of our day 
who have devoted their lives to preaching the Gospel throughout the world.

Obtain for them, we ask you, that same wisdom and fortitude 
by which you overcame the dangers which beset your path, 
and that firm faith and ardent love which enabled you 
to endure gladly the privations of the life for the love of Christ.
 
Assist and protect us also dear St. Columban,
so to live for God’s glory
that when our pilgrimage through life is over 
we may share with you in the joy of our heavenly home
through Christ our Lord.
Amen