Today’s Readings – Saint Colmcille (Columba), Abbot

Colmcille (Columcille) was born on 7 December, 521, near Lough Gartan in County Donegal, in the northwest of Ireland. On his father’s side he was a great-great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, a high king of Ireland in the 5th century. His original name was Crimthann, meaning ‘fox’. He could have been called that because of his red hair. Colmcille (Dove of the Church) was the name given to him as a monk and he is also known as Columba, the Latin word for ‘dove’.

Already in his time in Ireland, there were many monastic settlements which were centres of learning and holiness. He began his studies at the monastery of Moville in County Down, which had been founded by St Finian. He later studied at the famous monastery of Clonard, near Kinnegad in County Meath, which was fou … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Pentecost Sunday (Year C)

Commentary on Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13 or Romans 8:8-17; John 20:19-23

Today’s great and joyful feast of Pentecost rounds off the tremendous mysteries that we have been commemorating since Holy Week—the Passion, the Death, the Resurrection, and the Ascension of Je … Continue