Saints

Monk. Ireland's sixth century missionary to Europe. Born in Leimster in Ireland around 543, Saint Columban was a monk at Bangor in County Down under St Comgall, before he left for Europe with several companions. Passing through England and Brittany he founded the great monastery of Luxeuil in Burgundy in 591 and was abbot there for 20 years. Columban's rule there became very influential among t... Read More

Roman martyr, patron saint of music. According to legend, Cecilia was a Roman Christian from a patrician family who lived in the 2nd or 3rd century. She had decided to remain single and devote her life to God, but was forced into an arranged marriage. While the wedding guests danced at her wedding, she sat apart singing only the psalms. Valerian, her husband, turned out to be very understanding ... Read More

Irish Bishop. Born in Munster in 530, St Colman was a royal bard at Cashel. He was about 50 when he became a Christian and could be described as having an early 'late vocation'. In his mid 50s he was ordained and from that time, worked as a priest and then a bishop in Limerick and Cork. Colman was known as a great poet. His surviving verses date from the period 565 and 604, and are among the ea... Read More