In 543, a wee Irish lad was born. His mother was told in a dream that he was destined to light up the world and bring many to Christ.
Columban proved to be a remarkably intelligent and handsome boy. He was devoted to his faith and was distressed when temptations of the flesh troubled him in his adulthood. He sought help from a holy hermitess, and she advised him to seek monastic life.
This Columban did, despite his mother’s efforts to stop him. He studied for several years at a monastery near his home; then, following a call to greater austerity, he made his way to Bangor in northern Ireland, to a monastery ruled by St. Comgall.
Columban remained there for some time also, attracting many through his wisdom, intelligence, and austere example. Finally, however, he asked St. Comgall to let him follow another calling: that of a missionary to foreign peoples. With sorrow, St. Comgall allowed his dearest monk to go and provided him with 12 companions.
Columban and his companions arrived in France in 585. It was obvious to the Franks that these men lived the Christian life they preached. France was hungry for such holiness. Within 10 years, Columban built three large monasteries.
Valuing his solitude, the saint frequently withdrew into the surrounding forest for days to pray and meditate. Once, as he walked and meditated on different kinds of death, he ran into a pack of wolves. They surrounded him hungrily, but he gave himself into God’s protection. The wolves sniffed at his habit, and then—they quietly melted away into the trees.
After 20 years of mission work in France, Columban and his Irish companions ran into trouble with the dissolute king and were exiled. They trekked through Europe, eventually ending up in Bobbio, Italy. There, Columban built his last monastery in 612. He went to his eternal reward three years later.
Columban may never have entered religious life if it had not been for the “thorn in his flesh.” God uses our human failings to draw us to Himself and become beacons of hope to others. Saints Around the World illustrates this through the lives of 100 saints. Delightfully illustrated, this book reminds us that the saints shared and understand our trials here on earth. Get your copy today at The Catholic Company!
