Columba
Born in 521 CE to Fedlimid and Eithne in what is now County Donegal, Ireland, Columba was privileged to receive a first-rate education. His first studies were with Saint Finnian. Then he went to study at Clonard Abbey, and from this base, Columba and other missionaries traveled around Ireland to set up other monasteries that became famous, including ones at Kells, Derry, and Swords.
In 560, trouble struck. Columba ran afoul of his superiors in the monastery over a psalter. Columba adored books, and upon discovering a gorgeous copy of the psalms, decided to make a copy for himself in secret. Saint Finnian objected to this. Behold, the first recorded copyright dispute in monastic publishing!
The argument escalated until there resulted an actual pitched battle known as the Battle of Cul Dreimhe, in Sligo. Many monks were killed. Soon after, Columba ran afoul of the king. A neighboring royal, Prince Curnan of Connaught, fatally wounded the king’s relative in a hunting accident. Prince Curnan was a cousin to Columba, and he sought sanctuary at the abbey from the angry king. The king, however, ignored this long-honored custom, stormed the abbey, and killed the prince. Infuriated, Columba summoned his clan (Clan Niall, of the bloody Nine Hostages-fame) and urged them to rebel against the king. Many died, including several brother-monks, and Columba realized his life had taken a wrong turn.
As penance, he agreed to exile himself. He sailed away, landing at the island of Iona in 563. There, he built a monastery, which has become a famous and oft-traveled site for pilgrimages. From Iona, Columba launched many missionary journeys into Scotland, establishing churches and monasteries as far away as Aberdeen and Inverness. According to legend, Columba even preached to and converted the Loch Ness monster. He died in 597, at home at Iona. According to his biographer, Columba’s last act was to put down the manuscript he had been copying, after he wrote out, “They that love the Lord shall lack no good thing,” and he remarked, “I must stop here. Let Baithain do the rest.” And so, he died—a book lover to the end.
Collect for Columba
O God, by the preaching of your blessed servant Columba you caused the light of the Gospel to shine in Scotland: Grant, we pray, that, having his life and labors in remembrance, we may show forth our thankfulness to you by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Kateri Tekakwitha
Born in 1656 near Auriesville, New York, Kateri Tekakwitha was the daughter of a Mohawk chief and a Roman Catholic Algonquin woman. Named Tekakwitha, which means, “She who bumps into things,” she had a childhood bout with smallpox that left her with permanent facial scars and diminished eyesight. Known as the Lily of the Mohawks and the Flower of the Algonquians, Tekakwitha was among the first Native Americans canonized by the Roman Catholic Church.
Her life changed in 1675 when she met Jesuit Father Jacques de Lambertville. She sought an education in Christianity, and she converted to the Roman Catholic faith and was baptized on Easter Day in 1676. She took the name Kateri for Saint Catherine of Sienna and declared a lifelong vow of virginity. Tekakwitha’s family continued to shun her: first for her disfigurement, and then for her adherence to Christianity. In 1677 she took up residence at the Jesuit mission just south of Montreal. There, she prayed tirelessly for the conversion of her people and undertook many forms of penance in the development of her personal piety. Although she didn’t have access to formalized convent life or instruction regarding holy orders, she and her mentor, Anastasia, her close friend, Marie-Therese, and several other young women committed to practicing their faith together as a community.
On Wednesday, April17, 1680, at twenty-four-years-old, Kateri Tekakwitha died during Holy Week. She is believed to have uttered as her last words, “Jesus, Mary, I love you.” It was reported that in death, her smallpox scars disappeared. The cause for her sainthood was initiated in 1884, by Roman Catholics living in Canada. Pope Benedict XVI canonized her on October 21, 2012.
Four US shrines honor Tekakwitha, and numerous churches, schools, and institutions are named for her in the United States and Canada.
Collect for Kateri Tekakwitha
God of grace and glory, your beauty fills the whole of creation, calling lilies to bloom and mountains to bow. Thank you for the life of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, who was called to live a life set apart, devoted to penitence and prayer. Create in us a willingness to examine our hearts and be transformed by your love. Amen.
PLEASE NOTE
At 11:02 p.m. EST, two addresses in Vermillion, SD and Medford, OR were blocked. 125 votes for Kateri Tekakwitha were recorded from these two locations, and we do not know of groups participating in Lent Madness in those cities. Not enough votes were cast to affect the outcome, but we have blocked the addresses to prevent further votes. At this point, no votes have been removed from the total cast. Unless we hear from those folks, we will subtract the appropriate number of votes if needed to keep the outcome as determined by fair voting. Remember, vote once only per person!
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268 comments on “Columba vs. Kateri Tekakwitha”
Both are worthy candidates. On balance, I voted for Columba because he founded the first monastic community on Iona and I've made great use of worship materials produced by the later Iona Community.
The island of Iona is a beautiful place and still contributes to spiritual life of many. There are retreats and pilgrimages still occurring there--a long history. I have Scottish roots and Columba brought Christianity to Scotland. Columba gets my vote.
I came in intending to vote for Kateri, but was swayed by Columba's repentance and that he recognized that even while apparently serving God, he was moving in the wrong direction and creating chaos. Being a book lover doesn't hurt his case either.
Columba illustrates a theme--the repentant warrior--that is quite appealing, but for me this is trumped by learning that Takekwitha is a saint receiving the devotion of today's warrior. In the interests of full discolsure, I did not learn that till after I voted, but so often today's repentance (at least in the context of US politics) is cheap or bogus counted against the truly saintly (i. e. human and complex) nature of the bibliophile monk.
Despite my Irish roots and fondness for books, I went with the quiet saintly Katerina in the hope that, against all odds, in the final round, we could "gild the Lily."
As a librarian of Celtic descent, Columba had me at book lover and copyright dispute.
Having visited Iona developed an appreciation for Columba...Had to vote for himselfen
I had to vote for Kateri as a person of peace.
Ní mór dom vótáil ar son an tÉireannach. Níl aon rogha.
And to you as well.
Columa for me. Seems like he spread the faith over Scotland after he realized that fighting and killing were not so good.
Did feel allegiance to Kateri and her female friends ,though,
for their faithfulness
Kateri, saint from the New World, gets my vote today.
I voted for Kateri. Originally I thought I'd vote for Columba, but anyone who would sacrifice lives over a beautiful book obviously needs his priorities evaluated.
I'm sorry , Saints. I am NOT one but I wasn't stongly pulled by either of you for a vote. Not wanting to abstain, however, I voted strictly on non-holy criteria. Columba... because he loved reading and writing and books, because he was a Celt and I have Irish roots, and because there is a St Columba church about 20 miles outside of place I live. Sorry, Kateri, I think you ran away and hid because of your disfiguration and others response to it. Had you stayed put and fought bullying you would have had my vote.
Columba for sure. How could you not, he converted the lock ness monster.
Columba was indeed a hot-head and a product of his times, but he turned himself around and repented. Then he applied that vigor and energy to peaceful goals. Iona, a place of peace, is still with us today. He would be a fitting patron for today's militaristic governments and vengeful militias.
Having taught Sunday School at St.Columba's Church in Detroit, MI, as a teen-ager, I vote for Columba. I didn't know much about him then, so am glad to read now about his being in Iona and in Scotland.
I have both Irish & Scottish bloodlines but my vote went to Kateri. Many years before Kateri's beatification she appeared to my cousin, in a dream, when my cousin was in a very bad place in her life. She told her many things and encouraged her to stay strong In her faith. My cousin had no idea who the woman was until, many years later, her picture appeared in the newspaper when she was beatified.
Not the most compelling of match ups- I have always had a life long love of books!
I am touched by Tekakwitha's story but voted for Columba on account of his work as a scribe & missionary, and his courage in renouncing his violent tendencies.
Kateri all the way. For a woman to have such faith and courage in a time when the "New World" was all about men, she is, for me, a shining star and someone to admire--she was bullied for her looks; cast out of her family, and yet, she was sustained by her faith and brought other women along on the journey with her.
There is an organization that raises funds to help education indigenous Guatemalan women who might otherwise not get much of an education at all. I have met some of these women and heard the stories of how their education has changed their lives. This organization is named in honor of Kateri Tekakwitha. I can't help but vote for her and the inspiration she has caused in others . . .
I voted for Kateri because my patron Saint is also Katherine of Sienna
I voted for Kateri because Katherine of Sienna is also my patron saint, but it was tough with all this Irish Catholic blood flowing in my veins!
Columba, for having the spine to admit his wrongdoing and impose his own exile.
I votes for Kateria, because even though she was partly blind she still did here study's and worked.
Columba is my favorite Saint of all time. I visited Iona briefly and fell in love with the uniqueness of the area. Then I heard the singers practicing and between the history and the beautiful music I was sold. I also like his running afoul of authority.
Sorry, Kateri, but the church already has plenty of young-virgin saints. Your ethnicity is a plus, but I'm more inspired by women whose identity isn't wrapped up in virginity. You retreated from life; Columba lived (not always wisely, but he grew - can't see that you did much growing). So it's Columba for me.
Brilliant, Marjorie!
In honer of my heritage and my gender I must vote for the Native Woman who's story has touched me for several years. In her day it was not easy to pull off the things she did.
The Episcopal church espouses diversity. Kateria Tekakwitha you get my vote.
A simple song of St. Columba
composed while drinking Guinness many years ago
St.Columba came over from Ireland the fair
He came forth to Scotland, so barren and bare
He brought forth the gospel to teach to the Scots
And some listened to him and some listened not
He found there the people who paint themselves blue
And he taught them the testaments, the Old and the New
He preached of God's love to the men who ate oats
And he sang little hymns to the sheep and the goats
Do you have a record label?
Well sung Cathy!
Thanks for this most excellent ditty!