Saint of the Day – 23 January – Saint Colman of Lismore (Died 702) Bishop of Lismore and simultaneously the Abbot of the renowned teaching Monastery of Lismore. In 695, Colman succeeded Saint Hierlug (Zailug) as the Abbot and Bishop of Lismore. During his rule, the fame of Lismore reached its peak. Also known as – Choimoc, and ‘Mo’ Choimoc. Additional Memorial – 22 January in Lismore.
The School of Lismore was the most celebrated in the South of Ireland. It was founded in the year 635 by St Carthach the Younger, in a most picturesque site, steeply rising from the southern bank of the Blackwater.
Lismore was founded in 635 and the founder survived only two years, for he died in 637 but Providence blessed his work and his Monastery grew to be the greatest centre of learning and piety, in all the South of Erin. The Rule of St Carthach is the most notable literary monument which the Founder left behind him. It is fortunately still extant in the ancient Gaelic verse in which it was written.
Colman was the son to Finnbar. He was a member of the noble family which ruled over Ith-Liathain territory, in the County of Cork. Colman was born, some time in the earlier part of the 7th Century. Whilst our saint was yet a young man, he took the monastic Habit in the celebrated Lismore Monastery. There he was distinguished for all those virtues of which he made profession.
At this time, Lismore, delightfully situated on the Blackwater, was a celebrated asylum of sanctity and learning. It was famous on this account, not only throughout Ireland but even in Britain and more distant countries on the Continent.An innumerable body of Monks or scholars filled its cloisters and schools. While many holy Prelates, Abbots and religious received their education and early training.
St Hierlog ruled over the See and Monastery of Lismore, during the years of our Saint’s sojourn there and when he died on 16 January 698, Colman was immediately appointed his successor, both in the Bishopric and in the Abbey.
Thus, our Saint was the spiritual father of many Monks and an instructor of many Prelates. These exhibited in their lives and actions, the excellence of that discipline and training, to which they had been subjected.
At an advanced age, full of virtues and merits, our Saint was called away to receive the reward of his labours but after a short Episcopate and term of Abbatial rule, lasting only four years, Colman died in the year of our Lord 702, on the 22nd day of January.
AnaStpaul 