Columbanus

Who they were

Columbanus was born in Ireland between 525 and 543 to a wealthy family. At about fifteen he asked a holy recluse what to do with his life, and she pointed him to the monastery. He entered Cleenish under Abbot Sinell, then Bangor under the austere Abbot Comgall, where he became master of novices.

Around 588 he set out with twelve monks for Gaul, where faith was yielding to paganism, and founded monasteries at Annegray, Luxeuil and Fontaine, writing a Rule for them. He later crossed into Italy and founded the abbey of Bobbio, where he died on 23 November 615.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Columbanus has been honoured as a saint since his death. Jonas of Bobbio's life of him mixes history and legend, such as the bear that shared his cave. He is patron of Bobbio and of Piacenza.

Why that counted as sanctity

Columbanus left Ireland for good to renew the faith of a pagan-drifting Europe through monasteries of prayer and discipline. Cardinal Schuster called him the greatest man of his time, whose rule was the Gospel adapted to the men of the sixth century.

Connected on this site

• Bladulfo Saint Pupil
• Comgall Saint Teacher
• Eustace of Luxeuil Saint Pupil
• Saint Gall Saint Pupil
• Saint Mirin Saint Pupil
• Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne Saint Pupil