Saint of the Day: St. Colman of Lindisfarne

Bishop and Abbot (d. 676)

His life

+ Colman was the third bishop of Lindisfarne, succeeding Saint Aidan and Saint Finan. Like his predecessors, he was a native of Ireland, where he had been a monk at Iona.

+ Having served as bishop for only three years, he is remembered for his contributions to the Synod of Whitby, where he was the main spokesman for the Irish side in the debates on the date of Easter, the style of tonsure, and the place of local bishops in the relationship between the local churches and Rome.

+ Following the Synod of Whitby, Colman resigned as bishop and later returned to Ireland. He founded a monastery on an island off the coast of Galway where the traditional Irish practices were observed.

+ Colman remained abbot of this community until his death, which take place around the year 676. Devotion to Saint Colman was officially approved in 1898.

For prayer and reflection

“In your strength, O Lord, the just one rejoices; how greatly your salvation makes him glad! You have granted him his soul's desire.”—Entrance Antiphon from the Common of Holy Men and Women—For One Saint

Prayer

O God, who in your Saints have given an example and brought us protection in our weakness to help us tread the path of salvation, mercifully grant that we, who honor the heavenly birthday of blessed Colman, may, through his example, make our way to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For One Saint)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.