ST. COLUMBAN (NOV. 23RD)

An Ancient Icon of St. Columban from a Church Pillar in Lombardy

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

St. Columban (AD 540-615) was an Irish missionary and miracle-worker who evangelized the Franks and Lombards, argued against Arianism and Nestorianism, and successfully established Celtic monasteries and “tariff penance” (the distinct custom of confessing to a spiritual father) across Europe. 

Inheriting the traditions of Celtic Christianity, celebrating Pascha by the Irish calculation, and wearing a distinct tonsure from ear to ear, St. Columban was considered exotic by his Mediterranean Christian contemporaries. His unique monastic way of life was highly effective in rebuking the ecclesial corruption of the day, which had already begun to take on the habits of wealthy lords, rather than maintaining the simple habit of the Lord Jesus. St. Columban was successful in drawing many young men into monasticism and missions, and he established many Irish-style Abbeys in France and Italy, using his own “Regula”, a rule of life much shorter than that of St. Benedict. 

The Rule of St. Columban: 

1. Absolute Obedience to a Spiritual Father
2. Fasting until 3PM Every Day 
3. Eating a Simple Vegetarian Diet 
4. Not Owning Anything
5. Putting Oneself Down 
6. Chastity in Mind and Body
7. Perpetual Prayer (Accomplished through maintaining the monastery’s prayer cycle of one brother praying after another) 
8. Practice Discretion 
9. Do Not Act Without Counsel 
10. Faithfully Practice Penance 

While creating great controversy during his lifetime through various conflicts with Frankish and Italian bishops, St. Columban was known for his love and freedom of expression, and his theologically profound correspondence with several Patriarchs of Rome, including the famous Gregory the Great. He wrote on everything from a refutation of Arius to a vigorous rebuttal of the “Three Chapters” which was distressing the minds of Christian Faithful in Italy. His writing was always honest, simple and brief, enabling kings and peasants alike to understand the theological dogmas of the Church. For this reason, towards the end of his life, many Lombard kings sought to have him come a reside in their small kingdoms, teaching Orthodoxy to the Faithful and establishing monastic houses according to his rule. 

The Holy Spirit revealed to St. Columban that he was going to die, and so he retired to a cave in northern Italy where he spent his time praying and singing psalms. He died on November 21st, AD  615. 

COLLECT 

ALMIGHTY GOD, Who in Saint Columban wonderfully joined the work of evangelization to zeal for the monastic life, grant, we pray, that through his intercession and example we may strive to live in Thee above all things and to bring increase to Thy faithful people. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who livest and reignest with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen.