Ireland: Celebrations mark 1400 anniversary of Saint Columban

Way of Saint Columba

The 1400th anniversary of the death of Saint Columbanus (also known as Saint Columban), one of the greatest of the Irish missionary monks, was marked with a national Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, in Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh with Archbishop Eamon Martin presiding. Father Neil Collins, SSC, preached the homily. During the Mass Archbishop Eamon blessed and commissioned young pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Armagh who will be going on pilgrimage to Rome and Taizé during the summer months. At the conclusion of the Mass, Archbishop Eamon blessed the congregation with the Relic of St Columbanus.

Born in Leinster around 543 and having studied in the monastery on Cleenish Island, Co Fermanagh, Saint Columbanus entered the monastery in Bangor, Co Down and was later principal teacher there. In 591, desiring to 'go on pilgrimage for Christ', he set out with twelve companions and travelled to Burgundy. He established monasteries at Annegray, Luxeuil and Fontaine. Later he founded Bregenz in Austria and his greatest foundation at Bobbio, near Genoa, where he died in 615. He is remembered as one of the greatest of the Irish missionary monks and revered across parts of Europe.

While the weekend's celebrations focused on Bangor and Armagh, there will also be pilgrim walks and gatherings in many parishes and communities across Ireland to honour Saint Columbanus.

On Saturday 20 June celebrations centred on Bangor beginning with an ecumenical morning prayer service in Bangor Abbey followed by a civic reception in the Town Hall. In the afternoon there were a varied programme of activities for Irish visitors and the many dignitaries visiting from abroad. The programme will include Cardinal Tomás O'Fiaich films, displays on the life of Saint Columbanus, a lecture by Father Sean McDonagh, as well as many other activities and street performers.

The Way of Saint Columban

A new pilgrim walk entitled The Way of Saint Columban has been prepared by the Columban Missionaries as an ecumenical pilgrimage with nine steps along a selected route in a local parish. Each step consists of: a reading from Scripture, the words of St Columban, a brief reflection, and, the Our Father. The nine steps conclude with the litany of Saint Columban, prayers of intercession, prayer of Saint Columban and a shared Blessing.

For more information on the Pilgrim Way of Saint Columban as well as other resources including prayers and reflections by Saint Columbanus, see www.columbans.eu/index.php/columban-1400