Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “Columbanus is the patron Saint of those dedicated to the cause of a united Europe". This statement by the illustrious European expert Robert Schuman reveals the importance of the figure of the 6th century monk, comparable with Saint Benedict. Colombanus a poet, a scholar, a founder of monasteries, an abbot, an itinerant preacher across the whole of Europe, was born in Ireland and died in Italy, at Bobbio. Today many are asking the Pope to proclaim Columbanus co-patron saint of Europe, since he represents the Celtic roots of our continent. This essay narrates with competence and vivacity the extraordinary life of a man of the Middle Ages who is also a man of our times. “However the real legacy of Colombanus, lies not in the evocative stones of the past, but in those who still today witness to the world their faith in Christ. Colombanus comes across the centuries of history to tell the Church to be missionary …For Colombanus, a monk and a hermit, but also a pioneer of mission ad gentes in the Europe of the late Middle Ages, mission was simply making known God's passion for every man and women, as Jesus did, and all his disciples who have followed him, since the beginning ” (from the book). (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/10/2007 - Righe 14; Parole 197)
