Monday
9th June 1997 was a significant day, not only for Christians in
Ireland, but throughout much of Scotland and the isles as well.
The day marked the 1400th anniversary of the death of one of Ireland’s
greatest missionaries - St Columba.
Also
known as Columb and Columcille, Columba was born of royal blood
at Gartan in County Donegal. At an early age he renounced all
claims to the Irish throne and became a monk, devoting himself
totally to the work of the Church. At the age of 25 he founded
a monastic community in Derry ( a place which remained close to
his heart) and then established similar foundations at Durrow,
Clonmore, Swords, Lambay Island, Drumcliffe and Kells.
After
15 years of intense activity in Ireland, some sort of crisis came
upon Columba which caused him to change the direction of his work.
There are many legends and traditions as to happened although
no one knows for sure. It is possible, however, that he was drawn
into a tribal feud which resulted in serious loss of life - an
occurrence which so shocked the saint that he went into self-imposed
exile from his native land, as a severe form of penance for his
part in the feud. Together with 11 companions, he sailed in a
coracle ( a small wicker boat covered with leather) to the tiny
Scottish island of Iona.
Under
Columba’s leadership, this little island became a centre of missionary
activity for Scotland and beyond. Columba died before the altar
at the age of 76. It is believed that his body was taken back
to Ireland and interred, with the remains of St Patrick, on the
Hill of Down.
The
events resulting from his missionary activity are immense and
in this respect he has always been a figure of great importance.
During his voluntary exile Columba laboured for the Gospel as
far north as Inverness on the Scottish mainland and the Orkney
Islands.
