LAST YEARS OF ST. COLUMBA--HIS SAINTLY DEATH.
NOT small, we may suppose, was the joy of the community at Hy
on beholding once more in the midst of them their dear father
in Christ; nor was his own less. It must, indeed, have been
consoling to him to find himself once more in the calm
seclusion of his cloister, after the noisy world whence he had
just emerged. To hear again the vesper peal and matin toll in
the still midnight--to view "at golden prime" (if, indeed, he
looked upon) the angelic features of "those meek ones," to
whom the Lord, for whom they had "_left all_," had given the
inheritance "_of the land_." Truly, our saint could better
relish those delights on returning from the external world, as
things are better appreciated by contrast.
It was now the year of our Lord 593, and thirty years had our
earth performed her revolution round the brilliant orb which
illumines her, since Columba had settled in that lonely and
sequestered isle. He had often prayed to the Most High that,
at the termination of such a period, he might pass from this
exile, and he now looked with confidence for the grant of his
request. But, while indulging in this delightful anticipation,
blessed angels were sent to apprise him that, in consideration
of the prayers poured forth by the British and Scottish
churches, it was decreed in heaven that he should yet remain
four years more on earth. The tidings cost him many tears, but
they were accompanied with perfect submission to the divine
will, the blessed man at once renouncing his anxiety "to be
then dissolved, and go to Christ," since such was His good
pleasure. With greater earnestness than ever, did he now labor
to consummate his perfection, and attain more and greater
sanctity. We have already spoken of his corporal austerity,
but this was only one virtue, Columba was eminent in all. One
thing particularly distinguished him, great cheerfulness of
countenance and mildness of disposition; and this is no small
matter, for nothing edifies us more than that those who
profess to serve God, should be cordially sweet and amiable to
men. Columba, too, was a great lover of labor; he knew not
what it was to be unemployed, but continually occupied
himself, when not engrossed by missionary duties, in "praying,
reading, writing," as the devout Kempis says, and "in doing
something for the common good." And these were greater things
than the gifts of prophecy and miracles which he possessed in
an eminent degree.
At length the four years, which were to terminate the labors
of the holy man, were drawing to their close. It was Saturday,
the 8th of June, and with that calm serenity and imperturbable
peace with which saints die, Columba, attended by Diermit, one
of his monks, proceeded to examine if there was a sufficient
supply of corn in the granary to supply his dear children with
bread until the new harvest should be reaped. Having
discovered that there was, he blessed the barn, and being
quite satisfied that all his obligations to the brethren were
now fulfilled, he revealed to Diermit, with an injunction of
secrecy, that his hour was come, and that he should be called
out of life before the next day had dawned. The monk thereupon
besought him to impart his benediction to the monastery; he
complied, standing on the summit of an adjoining eminence. He
then returned to his poor cell, and continued transcribing a
portion of the Holy Scripture [1] until the bell summoned all
to choir, when, closing the last page with the appropriate
verse, "Inquirentes autem Dominum non deficient omni bono"--
"They who seek the Lord shall not want any good," (Ps. 33,) he
said, "_Let Bailhen_ (his successor in the abbacy) _finish the
rest_," and then proceeded to the church with the rest of the
community. The devotions being ended, he returned to his cell,
and there reclining on his rocky couch, delivered some
instructions to Diermit to be communicated to the brethren. At
midnight, the tolling of the bell summoned the monks again to
prayer, and the holy abbot, the first to respond to the call,
was already in the church and in earnest prayer, before any
one had arrived. Diermit was the first who appeared, and he
found the saint, his strength rapidly declining, quite
absorbed in God as he lay before the altar. In an instant all
the monks were assembled about him, and bitterly bewailed
their loss. The holy man had still sufficient strength left to
recognize them, and looking upon them, "his brow" irradiated
by "heaven's own smile," he, with Diermit's help, raised his
right hand, and thus imparted to them his saintly benediction.
Soon after, on Sunday morning, the 9th of June, he passed to a
glorious immortality.
For three days, and as many nights, the obsequies of St.
Columba were unremittingly celebrated; and at the close of
that time, his sacred remains were, with all religious
solemnity, deposited in the tomb. His memory was for ages most
dear to the northern nations, his monastery was selected for
the sepulchres of the kings of Ireland, Scotland, and Norway;
and the provincial bishops, though preserving in their
episcopal functions the superiority of their rank, submitted
in other points to the mandate of the abbot of Hy, as the
legitimate successor of St. Columba. Singular honor this, and
unparalleled in church history; but far greater honor did the
saint receive, and greater bliss does he now enjoy in the
glorious kingdom of which holy David said, "Saturabor cum
apparuit gloria tua"--"I shall be satisfied when thy glory
appears."
[1] Transcribing holy books was a favorite occupation of Saint
Columba. He left behind him 100 manuscripts, says A. Butler.
(Lives of Saints, 9th June.) "The celebrated Book of Kells is
the autograph of St. Columba, and consists of a copy of the
four Gospels. One of the first paintings in this wonderful
volume, (for there are several, all proving that even in the
6th century we had in Ireland a style of illumination
peculiarly national, and for the age of no small merit,) is
the Blessed Virgin with our infant Saviour in her arms, a halo
of glory round her head, and angels above her. In the last
page is written, I beseech your Blessedness, holy Presbyter
Patrick, that whosoever holds this book may remember Columba."
_Dub. Review_, June, 1846