Today’s Readings – Saint Colm Cille (Columba), Abbot

St Colm Cille (Columba), Abbot and Missionary, Secondary Patron of Ireland (feast)

Colm (Colum) Cille was born on 7 December, 521, near Lough Gartan in Co. Donegal, in the north-west 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. Colum Cille (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 there were in Ireland, 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 studie … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Thursday of Week 9 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1, 9-14; 8:4-9

Our story of Tobit now omits a number of incidents in the story and moves to Tobiah, Tobit’s son. The prayers of both Tobit and Sarah are going to be answered in an unexpected way.

Having asked God to let him die, T … Continue