12 May 562 - 12 May 2012
Saturday, 12 May 2012,
the 1450th Anniversary
of St. Columba's
arrival in
Scotland.
Columba chose as his place of settlement the island of Hy or Iona,
generally known as Hy-Columbkille
~ the island, that is, of Columba ~
a part of the Scottish kingdom of Dalriada.
The landing was effected on Whitsunday, the 12th of May 562.
The island formed at that time the boundary
The island formed at that time the boundary
between the Dalriadan Picts on one side,
and the northern Picts on the other,
and must in consequence have had a peculiar attraction for St Columba,
as a central point for his missionary labours.
On the eastern side of the island soon arose the cells of the monks,
constructed of wood and earth.
Such was the obscure and insignificant beginnings of
Such was the obscure and insignificant beginnings of
St Columba and his monks in Scotland.
They were destined in the course of time to bestow upon millions of men
the benefits of religion, culture, and civilisation.
St. Columba at the fort of Bruide,
king of the Northern Picts.
 | |
| In honour of St Columba |
Os mutorum, lux cecorum, pes clausorum,
Mouth of the dumb, light of the blind, foot of the lame,
porrige lapsis manum.
to the fallen stretch out your hand.
Firma vanum et insanum corrige.
Strengthen the senseless, restore the mad.
O Columba spes Scotorum
O Columba, hope of Scots,
nos tuorum meritorum
by your merits' mediation,
interventu beatorum
make us companions
fac consortes angelorum.
of the blessed angels.
Alleluia.
Alleluia.
(From the Inchcolm Antiphoner-
written in Scotland about 1340).
