Columba: a saint who loved God’s great story

In the midst of all his toils, he appeared loving unto all, serene and holy, rejoicing in the joy of the Holy Spirit in his inmost heart.
–Saint Adamnan, on Saint Columba of Iona

The life of Saint Columba is a story of faithfulness to God’s calling over the course of a long life. Legends claim Columba performed miracles, cast away the Loch Ness monster, raised the dead, and did a host of other miracles.  For most of us, these stories point with wonder to the work of God and perhaps inspire us to ask for the miraculous more boldly and with greater faith. But, in our daily life, perhaps the most helpful part of Columba’s story is the way he made mistakes, learned from them, and grew in Christlikeness over many years of faithful following.

When Columba was a young man in Ireland, he copied a psalter under Finnian of Moville in Movilla Abbey. However, when he was finished, Finnian wanted to keep the copy that Columba intended to keep for himself. Some sources claim this dispute led to the Battle of Cul Dreimhne (also known as The Battle of the Book) in which 3,000 men died. Columba, with righteous indignation, had fought for what he thought was justly his, but realized after the battle how great the loss of men and trust was, and he regretted that the desire for a book caused such pain.  

Some believe that it was his remorse over this battle or perhaps a given penance that led him across the Irish sea to Scotland with twelve followers. They set off in 561 in a wicker coracle covered with hide and landed on an Island that would become the community of Iona on the day of Pentecost. Saint Adamnan, Columba’s biographer, paints a picture of Columba as a good and beloved leader at Iona, but also points out that as he aged, he became more gentle and less rigid in the ways he led. His journey to love others well seems to have been a theme through his life as he learned that no book or no desire to ‘get things right’ should outweigh his love for those in front of him.  

Columba was a man who loved God’s great story. He knew that he had the Gospel, nd with his refined heart of love, he could not help but share this good news. He did not simply desire to possess a book, but longed to love others by telling them the story that would change everything. There are many stories of Columba meeting with Scots, Irish, Picts, and Saxons and proclaiming the good news. Many converted and Scotland became filled with the power of the gospel. His beloved community of Iona would later gift the world with the beautiful Book of Kells, and remains a thriving community where many visit and are encouraged today.  His faithfulness to the work of love filled a long life.  Columba died in his sleep at 77 years old on June 9, 597, after transcribing from the Psalms.

Today’s feast of Saint Columba is an invitation to pray that our own life’s labors will be done with zeal and patience and, most of all, out of a true love for others.  Where do we serve simply from duty or desire, but not from a place of love?  How can we love God’s word with the zeal of Columba: writing, illustrating, binding it in books and in our hearts, and sharing the gospel with others in love?

Notes and Resources for Celebrating:

• Patron of: Ireland, Scotland, the city of Derry, poets, bookbinders, and  floods
• The Life of Saint Columba by Adomnan (Full Biography)
• Across a Dark and Wild Sea by Don Brown (Children’s Book)
• Poem attributed to Columba
• Book of Kells Images and Coloring (The book of Kells was made after Columba’s life, but is sometimes called “The Book of Columba” as it was made at Iona following in the long tradition of transcription begun by Columba.)
• Columba comes from the Latin for ‘dove’.  His Irish name Colmcille means ‘dove of the church’.  A dove is a traditional symbol for the people of God.  Dove cookies, rolls, or crafts can be a good way to remember Columba on this day.  Or, perhaps it is a day to try your hand at illuminating scripture or bookbinding.