"...That man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plains of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warm among the ruins of I......" Samuel Johnson realised how precious was the legacy of Columba, the man of prayer, scholar and visionary and one of our most beloved saints. In story and in song we catch glimpses of the dynamic monk whose charm and holiness are forever writ large in the memory of our people. His fame still lives and every mention of his name is a call to holiness and to hope.
We get glimpses of him in the stories handed on by a successor as Abbot of lona, St Adamnan.
... Amid his to its he appeared toying to all, serene and holy, rejoicing in the holy spirit in the deep places of the heart . . . He had the face of an angel. He was of an excellent nature, polished in speech, holy in deed, great in counsel, and most gracious to all those God sent in his way.
Though strong and determined in his views it is clear that he was willing to be always, like St Benedict, a builder of God's peace.
One famous story tells that, without permission, he copied a precious manuscript, the property of St Finian. Legend records that Columba borrowed the book and made a copy of St Jerome's translation of the psalms. King Diarmuid gave his ruling"... To every cow its calf. To every book its copy ..." Legend has it that conflict, and even battle erupted. Rather than be a cause of rancour, division, and death, Columba chose voluntary exile to the island of Iona.
Here was to be the greatest work of the saint. Here he founded his most famous monastery and became apostle and patron for his adopted people. Even now people come to Iona to seek healing of the spirit. There is still holiness in the Iona air. With Derry, Glasnevin, Durrow and Kells, Columba's beloved island home of Iona won fame for learning and for the holiness that alone can create a lasting peace. And still today we can in that blessed place breathe an air of sanity and hope. We can sense the beauty of which his biographer wrote, "High sounding choirs and songs of angels did I hear at the moment of the departure of his holy soul and among the hosts of Heaven that sang to welcome our blessed father home.
As we come to a new stage of our nation's history St Columba calls us to summon together in one hope filled chorus all the voices that speak of peace.