The Life of Saint Columba, Abbot, and Apostle of the Northern Picts

by Anonymous

From Drumceat, St. Columba proceeded to transact business far more to his mind, and according to his spirit, the visitation of his monasteries. The number which he visited on this occasion we cannot ascertain, to that of Derry, as lying within a short distance of Drumceat, he undoubtedly went; as also to that of Durrough, his favorite, then governed for him by Lasrean. In this latter he remained even for some months, arranging various disciplinary matters; during which time he visited Alitherus, abbot of Clonmacnois, who, with his whole community, and the people of the surrounding country, received him with all manner of respect and veneration. Having accomplished the business which brought him to Ireland, the saint set out for his adopted country, and, making the northern part of Ulster his way, had an interview with St. Comgall of Bangor, and another with Conall, bishop of Coleraine. [^[6]] Taking shipping soon after, he sailed for Hy, where he landed in safety.

[1] St. Matt. ch. xvii, ver. 19

[2] Adamnan, Book 2, ch. 5.

[3] Ibid. Book 3, ch. 12.

[4] Wednesdays and Fridays were fast-days formerly throughout Ireland.

[5] Adamnan, Book 1, ch. 44.

[6] In the infancy of the Irish Church it was usual to appoint bishops over small districts, so that the number of Irish sees were then very numerous.

CHAPTER IV.

LAST YEARS OF ST. COLUMBA—HIS SAINTLY DEATH.

NOT small, we may suppose, was the joy of the community at Hy on beholding once more in the midst of them their dear father in Christ; nor was his own less. It must, indeed, have been consoling to him to find himself once more in the calm seclusion of his cloister, after the noisy world whence he had just emerged. To hear again the vesper peal and matin toll in the still midnight—to view "at golden prime" (if, indeed, he looked upon) the angelic features of "those meek ones," to whom the Lord, for whom they had "left all," had given the inheritance "of the land." Truly, our saint could better relish those delights on returning from the external world, as things are better appreciated by contrast.