The abbot with the missional habit

My chum Tim and I were in Bangor the other day and visited North Down Museum. We had planned to walk from Bangor along the coast road to Helens Bay, but got way-led due to our Northern Irish mizzle. We did get warmed up though with a cup of breakfast tea and an Ulster Fry instead!

North Down Museum gives a great historical overview of the region, particularly in the era when Ireland was known as "the land of saints and scholars."

As a theologian, I was impressed by the way abbots and monks from Northern Ireland had such a missional influence, whilst educating many of the princes and princesses of Europe. 

I had actually considered studying one of these saints, Columbanus, for my masters thesis.  I had come up with the rather cool title "the abbot with the missional habit." However, after reading Tomas O Fiaich's book entitled 'Columbanus - In His own words', I reckoned I couldn't top this excellent biography of our missional saint.

Columbanus was one of those saints who really made his "dash" count.

Columbanus (Columbán, 543 – 21 November 615), also known as St. Columban, was an Irish missionary notable for founding a number of monasteries from around 590 AD in the Frankish and Lombard kingdoms, most notably Luxeuil Abbey in present-day France and Bobbio Abbey in present-day Italy. He is remembered as a key player influencing Irish missionary activity in early medieval Europe. 

There is a popular pilgrimage walk in Spain known as The Way of St. James (Camino del Santiago). The one though that is on my retirement bucket list is the Columban Way.

https://www.thecolumbanway.eu/

Hopefully 'Saint Timotheous of Houston', pictured in the habit, can walk it with me?

That's Columban Mrs Hylton, nothing to do with Colombo, the sleuth detective:).

Are you coming too Corky? 

Sure, if the good Lord spares us, 2026 would be a great time to celebrate a 50 year "friends for life" reunion. 

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