St Columban, Irish Missionary

Columban was born in Ireland around 543 and became the greatest Irish missionary on the continent of Europe. He worked in Gaul, now France, and in Italy, founding monasteries that became centres of faith and culture. He wrote a monastic rule, sermons and poetry, and was known for strict discipline. A woman who had lived as a hermit gave him advice that led him to leave the world for prayer. He died at Bobbio, the monastery he founded, in 615. His feast is November 23. Light a free candle for missionaries far from home. St Columban, pray for us.