www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology St Columba - June 9

The icon displayed for today is that of St Columba. He is reminiscent of, but not the same person as St. Columbanus. St Columbanus, also an Irishman, wandered far and wide and ended his life in Bobbio, Italy where he founded the famous monastery of Bobbio. This small monastery where he is buried is credited with preserving culture in the middle ages through its library. Ultimately the library was dispersed to Milan and Rome. St Columba's monks fanned out to the hills of central Italy to Christianize some of the most remote hamlets. Bobbio is off the tourist map but has a rich culture and is worth a small pilgrimage if one has the opportunity. St Anthony Gianelli is also buried there.

http://www.umilta.net/columban.html
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"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved." �St. Serafim of Sarov

Dia duit, is Muire, is Parg, is Brid, is Colmcille!

Actually, the Saint Columba listed for today is he who is also known as Colmcille, from County Donegal. He founded the monastery of Iona. I do believe that he is the third patron saint of Ireland, as well, after St. Patrick and St. Brigid of Kildare.

I just noticed on that site you linked there is a similar note on the bottom of the page.

I once met an Irish priest and missionary whose first name was "Colm" - unusual here in USA. Today I've learned here that this is Gaelic for Columba. Thanks.

I think Columba is the latin version of the name. Colmcille is the Irish form of it. I have a nice Irish hagiography of Colmcille (in Irish) and it uses "Colmcille", not Columba or Columbanus or any other variant.

Yeah, got me thinking. It's cool amongst the Irish-Americans now to use Irish names, like Aiden, Fiona, Conner, etc. Why not Colmcille? I think Kevin has fallen out of favor, and folks are going to a more "Irish" spelling of Brigid now, too. Anyway, I digress...