\u2018How wonderful is God among his saints; come let us adore him.\u2019 (Invitatory antiphon).<\/p>\n
One of the most poignant parts of a funeral is time given to the eulogy. This is a speech that pays tribute to someone at the time of death. It is a time to remember the uniqueness of the loved one.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s first reading (Rm 12:1-2, 9-13) and Gospel (Mt 8:18-27) for the feast of St Columba (AD 521-597) (Colmcille) are proclaimed at Mass via the webcam or read from the New Testament. A variety of readings are offered on the Liturgical Calendar for Ireland 2020.<\/p>\n
St Columba is venerated as a national patron alongside St Brigid and St Patrick. St Columba was born in Gartan, Co Donegal, in AD 521.\u00a0 He is the patron saint of the city of Derry, where he founded a monastic settlement in 540 AD.<\/p>\n
The readings chosen for this feast mirror the life of St Columba, as outlined in the Divine Office.<\/p>\n
The second reading from the Office of Readings, from The Life of Columba of Adomnan, (p. 444*) has the sense of a eulogy.\u00a0 The author describes the primacy of God in St Columba\u2019s life. St Columba\u2019s response to God\u2019s call led him in his vocation as abbot and missionary.\u00a0 Columba is also remembered for his great work of reconciliation and was given the title \u2018Patron of the Bards\u2019.<\/p>\n
The first reading from Romans (Rm 12:1-2, 9-13), offers a plan for the Christian life, a way it seems, St Columba followed.\u00a0 The Gospel (Mt 8:18-27), includes the dialogue between Jesus and his disciples on discipleship and Jesus’ challenge to their faith when the storm arose while they were all on the lake in the boat.<\/p>\n
According to Adomnan, from boyhood, St Columba was in \u2018search for wisdom\u2019. He was \u2018refined in speech, holy in his works, pre-eminent in character and great in counsel.\u2019 At 42 years of age, Columba sailed from Ireland to Britain and stayed on the island of Iona for 34 years. There he spent his time in \u2018prayer, reading, writing and doing good works.\u2019 He also kept fast and vigils. He was of a cheerful disposition and he lived with the joy of the Holy Spirit. St Columba\u2019s faith was tested from time to time.\u00a0 At the end of his life, he commanded his monks to live lives of \u2018love and peace\u2019.<\/p>\n
St Columba\u2019s last written words were: \u2018Those who seek the Lord shall want for no manner of good thing.\u2019<\/p>\n
At the last communal gathering, St Columba and his monks prayed together and Columba blessed them before he died.<\/p>\n
St Columba was single-minded in his love for God and for God\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n
SEEK GOD\u2019S LOVE IN THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME<\/p>\n
From the readings today and the Office of Readings, children might explore a little of St Columba\u2019s life. They recognise God called Columba to be a missionary at 42 years of age, to share the Good News. He is patron saint of Derry and patron saint of schools and churches.<\/p>\n
He sailed from Ireland to go to Britain and settled in Iona, where he spent a life of prayer, reading, writing and engaging in good works.<\/p>\n
Children might link the Gospel reading of the storm at sea (Mt 8:23-7) with Columba travelling on the boat. The readings today state Jesus words to his disciples \u2018Follow me\u2019. The children identify this following of Jesus as a call to every disciple.<\/p>\n
They might also associate his life of prayer with St Patrick and St Brigid. St Columba like St Patrick spent whole nights in prayer and he fasted from food. The actions of prayer and fasting might resonate with the Lenten season for the children; and they recognise that Jesus went into the desert and spent forty days and nights in fasting and prayer.<\/p>\n
St Columba\u2019s work on reconciliation is well known. This is another aspect of life where children can be invited to engage and reflect on their personal lives. They might like to pray to St Columba for a spirit of peace and reconciliation in the world.<\/p>\n
The children recognise that St Columba was a joyful and cheerful person because of his love for God. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
Before he died St Columba asked his monks to live together in a spirit of love and peace. On the night he died, Columba got up to pray at midnight as was the custom. He rose before the other monks, went to the Church, knelt, prayed at the altar and he blessed the monks present with him just before he died.<\/p>\n
Resources are accessible on the VERITAS website in all programmes to help children understand the lives of the saints. St Columba is not included in the Grow in Love programme, though St Patrick and St Brigid are studied in alternate years through the primary school.\u00a0 Online videos and interactive activities may be helpful.<\/p>\n
Logon: www.veritas.ie<\/p>\n
Email: trial@growinlove.ie<\/p>\n
Password: growinlove<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
INVITATION TO:<\/p>\n
READ from Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/p>\n
\u2018The Storm at Sea\u2019 (Mt 8: 23-7)<\/p>\n
SING:<\/p>\n
\u2018The Apostles\u2019, \u2018The Summons\u2019, \u2018O Lord, Hear my Prayer\u2019, ‘Go Tell Everyone’.<\/p>\n
PRAY with Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/p>\n
MISSION PRAYER<\/p>\n
May all the children<\/p>\n
In the world<\/p>\n
Share love<\/p>\n
Share friendship and live<\/p>\n
In the peace<\/p>\n
Of God\u2019s love<\/p>\n
Now and forever.<\/p>\n
\u00c1R BPAIDIR MHISIN<\/p>\n
Go rinne<\/p>\n
Gach p\u00e1iste ar domhan<\/p>\n
Gr\u00e1 agus cairdeas,<\/p>\n
Agus go maire siad<\/p>\n
I s\u00edoch\u00e1in ghr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/p>\n
Anois agus cho\u00edche.<\/p>\n
ACT OF FAITH<\/p>\n
O my God, I believe in you<\/p>\n
and in all that your holy Church teaches<\/p>\n
because you have said it<\/p>\n
and your Word is true.<\/p>\n
You are the Christ,<\/p>\n
the Son of the living God.<\/p>\n
Lord, I believe; increase my faith. Amen.<\/p>\n
\u2018The man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.\u2019 (Benedictus antiphon).<\/p>\n
\u2018Well done, good and faithful servant, come and join in your Master\u2019s joy.\u2019 (Magnificat antiphon).<\/p>\n
\u2018The mighty may be hungry and in need, but those who seek the Lord lack nothing.\u2019 (Psalm 33: 11).<\/p>\n
\u2018Jesus lived in full harmony with creation, and others were amazed: \u2018What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?\u2019\u00a0 (Laudato Si\u2019, no.98).<\/p>\n
St Columba, please pray for us.<\/p>\n
‘O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.’<\/p>\n
Sr Anne Neylon<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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