O Lord, grant us that love which can never die, which will enkindle our
lamps but not extinguish them, so that they may shine in us and bring light to
others. Most dear Savior, enkindle our lamps that they may shine forever in
your temple. May we receive unquenchable light from yo so that our darkness
will be illuminated and the darkness of the world will be made less. Amen.
Saint Columba
The holy Columba was born of noble parents, having as his father Fedelmith,
Fergus' son, and his mother, Ethne by name, whose father may be called in
Latin "son of a ship," and in the Irish tongue Mac-naue. In the second
year after the battle of Cul-drebene, the forty-second year of his age,
Columba sailed away from Ireland to Britain, wishing to be a pilgrim for
Christ.
Devoted even from boyhood to the Christian noviciate and the study of
philosophy, preserving by God's favour integrity of body and purity of soul,
he showed himself, though placed on earth, ready for the life of heaven; for
he was angelic in aspect, refined in speech, holy in work, excellent in
ability, great in counsel. Living as an island soldier for thirty-four years,
he could not pass even the space of a single hour without applying himself to
prayer, or to reading, or to writing or some kind of work. Also by day and by
night, without any intermission, he was so occupied with unwearying labours of
fasts and vigils that the burden of each several work seemed beyond the
strength of man. And with all this he was loving to everyone, his holy face
ever showed gladness, and he was happy in his inmost heart with the joy of the
Holy Spirit.
Adomnan, from his biography of Columba