The Irish standard., 1916-01-15

manned for several years, and, or
dained priest (572), there began to
awaken powerfully within him that
sacred pilgrim yearning which is char
acteristic of his race.
With twelve companions therefore
he embarked at Belfast (589-90), land
ed on the Southern coast of England
and later on the coast of Armorica
(Brittany). Thence he advanced into
Gaul. King Gounther benevolently
received him in his territory, giving
him permission to make his abode on
the Southern slopes of the Vosges. He
established himself, with his compan-
ions near the ruins of an ancient camp
called Anagrates, at the present day
small village, the centre of the Com
mune of La Voivre in the District Of
| Lure (Haute-Saone). Here the new
jewellers began at once to clear the
forests and to build themselves cells
of wood and branches, appeasing the
pangs of hunger with herbs, the bark
of trees and wild fruits. Their work
attracted the attention of the inhabi-
| tants, who, seeing the prodigies
wrought by the intercession of the
saint and moved by his preaching and
example, desired in great numbers to
become his followers. His disciples
having increased, a new monastery
had to be provided for them, near the
ruins of the ancient city of Luxovium
] Iuxeuil, in the Department of Haute-
Saone), of which there still remained
a camp surrounded by buildings and
baths. This monastery also having
become insufficient, he built third
at Fontanae, now Fontaine-les-Luxeuil
a place we'll furnished with water, on
the banks of the river La Rage.
In these three monasteries st. Co.
lumbanus between SOL and 594 ordered
and disposed all his monks, assisting
them in turn by his presence and d.
recting them by his living voice as
we'll as by the written word of the
Rule. The number so increased that
in the three morasterics there were
more than two hundred monks.
He had spent almost twenty years
in the Vosges, when he had to face
the exile's path. Columbanus had
condemned the reprehensible life of
Theodore, and Brunhilde, in order
that he might be expelled, accused
him to the Bishop of dangerous novel
ties. Having been by the kings COM
mand accompanied to Nantes, he was
made to embark for Ireland. But set
free by a miracle, he began his jour-
ney through Austrasia with the in
tention Of reaching Italy. He first
halted at the court of King Clotair.
Later he vert on to Mayence. and,
following the Rhine, he made a stay
at Bregenz, on Lake Constance, where
he destroyed some idols and dedicat-
ed a temple to Saint Aurelia. In 612
Austrasia fell into the hands of Theo-
doric and st. Columbanus decided to
continue his journey. He was gra-
ciously received at Milan by Agilulf,
king of the Lombards, to whom he
made a donation of a work which he
had written against the Arian heresy
In GA, he arrived at Bobbio, whittier
he had been invited by man named
Giocondo, resident of the place.
Here he passed the remaining days of
his wandering life, having built a
monastery near the ruined church of
St. Peter.
For his monks Columbanus drew up
a "Regula Monachorum" (Rule for
Monks), which has been published
many times, a critical edition in 1896
by Dr. Otto Geebas. 1t consists of
ten chapters only, wherein are clear.
ly explained the principles, the foun.
dation and character of the monastic
life. And it is pleasant to note that
an lrishman, educated in monasticism
in the monastery of Bangor, who for
time had lived, as a pilgrim apostle,
amongst the Vosges, with Irish and
Frankish followers and disciples, set
before them rule Of life, modelled on
the austerities of the ancient Fathers,
and, at the same time, tempered by a
spirit Of wise moderation, entirely
characteristic of the Latins and of the
Roman Church.
In former times there was ascribed
to st. Columbanus "Regula Coeno
balls" (Cenobite Rule), but at pres
ent serious doubts are entertained
that it is his. In the Codice Peniten
ziale (Penitential Codex) the portion
which has been recognized as his is
trifling. Hence the reputation which
the saint enjoyed amongst some ar
cient writer's as man the most rigid
and a ready scourger of his monks
has been in our days modified some
what in more equable and reason
able direction.
On the other hand there remain tc
us four instructions or sermons ode
vita ct actione monachorum" Con the
life and activities of monks). which
can always be regarded as usefu
treatise for the extirpation of vice
and the requirement of the Christian
virtues. There also remain six letters