Saint of the Day – 12 December – Saint Columba of Terryglass (Died 552) Abbot, One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland

Saint of the Day – 12 December – Saint Columba of Terryglass (Died 552) Abbot, Founder of Monasteries, Miracle-worker. One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, pupil and disciple of St Finnian of Clonard (470–549) known as the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland.” Born in Leinster, Ireland and died on 13 December 552 of the Plague at his Monastery in Terryglass, where he was also buried. Also known as – Colum mac Crimthainn, Colum moccu Loigse, Columba of Tirdaglas, Columba of Tyrdagla. Additional Memorial – 6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

Columba was the son of Ninnidh, a descendant of Crinthainn, King of Leinster. In his childhood, he learned his Psalms and Hymns from an old holy man named Colman Cule, who lived near Clonenagh and founded the Church of Cluain Cain.

As he grew into adulthood, he studied with St Finnian of Clonard and then, Columba resolved to go to Rome and bring back Relics of Saints Peter and Paul. On his return, he visited Tours and brought from there, the staff of St Martin of Tours. He also visited England and preached with some success to the Anglo-Saxons.

Returning home, he remained at Clonenagh for around a year, before crossing Slieve Bloom and founding a Church near Lough Derg.

Around 520, Columba was prompted by an Angel, to relocate to the Island of Inis Cealtra and establish a Monastery there. , He remained a long time at this Monastery. According to one report, when one of his Monks died suddenly on the shore opposite the northern part of the Island, Columba ordered the Monks to go and say to the dead man, “Columba bids thee arise.” The man then arose and returned with them to the Island.

Columba founded the celebrated Monastery of Tirdaglas (Tir-da-glasí), or Terryglass in 548. St Fintan of Clonenagh (c526-603) received his religious formation at Terryglass and was deeply influenced by the penitential practices and the severity of the Rule at the Terryglass Monastery finally becoming the Abbot

When Saint Finnian was in extremis, suffering from the Plague, he sent for Columba to administer Holy Viaticum. Columba himself died of the Plague on 13 December 552 and was buried within the precincts of his Monastery at Terryglass.

There are some fifteen more Saints of Ireland, bearing the name of our St Columba all being mentioned in the Martyrology of Gorman.