The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-03-26
not to be confused with Columbia

gilius at Salzburg in Austria; of DEM
chadh ut Cologne. Our knowledge of
these migrating scribes and scholars is
derived principally from foreign chron-
icles. in which due tribute and honor
has been paid them by the scholars
they taught. Besides visiting the coun-
tries mentioned above. the Irish schol-
airs penetrated into lands where no
J fore them; into parts OF Germany, Aus
tria, Scandinavia and even Iceland.
Their enthusiasm was dampened by no
amount of hardship. and thus we find
them laying the cornerstones of most Of
the monuments of culture of the later
Middle Ages These scholars usually
travelled i'll companies. When they
found place to their liking. they set
tied down. and IL community of little
huts sprang up around Il church. This
was often the beginning of what later
became Il great center of learning. The
inconsistencies of st. Gall and Bobhio
We're founded in this way.
Towards the middle of the sixth
century, Gaul WAS being transformed
into France. Society WAS in IL condi-
ton of chaos. Morals We're at the low
est ebb. The bonds of organized social
life were lax. 1t was then that Column
banus of Leinster began his mission
For twenty years he laborcd against
great odds, with varying success, at
last mourning the displeasure Of the
regning queen of the Franks. This re-
suited in his Punishment He set out
for Ireland; but on the way his ship
was wrecked, and he and few others
barely escaped with their lives.
Though now over sixty years old, CO.
lumbanuS who saw in his shipwreck
divine interposition, set forth once more
to find new field for his labors. Ac-
companied by a few faithful friends, he
started on his pilgrimage to the I'M
known, down the Rhine towards Swift
zerland. Everywhere they visited mon
asteries and schools. and preached to
the people. When they finally arrived
at the Lake of Constance in SwitZcr-
land, Gallrs. one Of the company, and
the favorite disciple of its leader.
chose that site for his famous monas-
terry of st. Gall. Columbanus Went
forward across the mountains to Italy,
where lie founded Bobbio, midway be-
tween Milan and Genoa. After some
years the old man took up his wander
ings again, and ended his days as a
hermit on the Italian coast In France.
he had founded the monasteries Of
AuXeuil and Fontaincs.
The most important Irish settlement
in Bavaria was at Ratisbon Il monas-
terry dedicated to Saint james, and one
which was the parent of many "Scotic"
monasteries, as the Irish foundations
We're called. With it is closely connect
ed the story of Marianus Scotus, IL
native of Donegal. who left his Irish
home towards the end of the eleventh
century. He took With him two COM
panions, aud intended to travel to
Rome. When they reached Bamberg
in Bavaria. they were admitted to the
order of Saint Benedict, in the monas-
terry of Saint MIichcsberg, but prefer
ing solitude, they lived in Il little cell
ut the foot of Il nearby hill. After Il
short stay they continued their journey
and We're received at the convent of
Obermuenster, where Marianus was set
to copying manuscripts under the di-
rection of the abbess Emma. This did
not last for long. The spirit of wander
ing again took possession of him. He
determined to so forward to Rome, but
was persuaded by Il fellow-worker to
let Providence decide for him. Accord
ingly, while deep in prayer, he received
an intimation that, wherever on the
next day he should first behold the ris-
ing sun, there he should settle. Start
ing before daybreak, he entered the
church of st. Peter without the walls.
to implore 1; blessing Oh his journey.
Scarcely had lie left the building, when
he beheld the rising sun on the horizon:
Here then shall l rest, and here shall
be my resurrection!' he exclaimed.
The JOY of the people, and the abbess
Emma was great. Lands including the
church of st. Peter were granted to
him, and thus was formed the nucleus
of the great monastery of Ratisbon.
Again in Germany many traces of
Irish missionaries may be found in the
monasteries. At Fulda in the cathedral
there are many fine examples of Irish
art in the manuscript Of the Gospels
of Saint Boniface. In the crypt are his
shrine and crozier, together with part
of his skull, and the dagger with whicl,
he was murdered.
We have mentioned only Irelands
missionary work abroad. Religious and
scholarly work continued not less sue.
cessfully at home, and Ireland's schools
received and trained famous foreigners
Instruction was free to all, and young
student Europe crowded to the doors
of the schools, to be trained in many
branches of knowledge. Saint Finian's
school at Clonard, for example, re-
ccived three thousand pupils, while