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”
Had to honor my Celtic roots with a vote for Columba
Although the ability to convert the Loch Ness Monster is an impressive accomplishment, I had to vote for Kateri Tekawitha. A beautiful stained glass window of her is in my childhood church to this day and many times I gazed up at her as a child wondering what her story was. Now I know and my sentimental side had to go with her.
A hard choice, but my feminist sentiments rule and I voted for Kateri Tekakwitha, a peaceful, prayerful and humble holy woman.
This vote, like some of the others, is a hard one. Who doesn't love a monk who loves books. But I have to vote for Kateri. A young woman who followed her faith and heart, even with family disapproval. She is so pure.
As someone who's more Highland Scots than anything else I identify with Columba in many ways, including his fiery fierceness and impetuous nature. Have I gotten in over my head, resulting in loss of life? Yes, even though no one's heart has ever stopped as a result of my actions (1 John 3:15). And does the Irish bibliophile Columba remind me a bit of a sober Bernard Black from Black Books? Yes! (Up with this I will not put!)
However, I am a young woman discerning what it means to be called to "lead a life set apart, devoted to penitence and prayer", without familial support. That line in the collect moved me to tears, which is no small feat. Therefore, I give thanks for Columba and Kateri and cast my vote for the latter.
From what I have read about Iona, I revere a place that is so "thin," that is, close to God. However, I was so pleased to know that someone from the native peoples of our country was canonized and then to learn more about her, I voted for Kateri.
While Columba repented of his wicked and evil ways, that is exactly what he should have done. Had his decisions been more from the heart(Spirit)and not the head(human), I might have considered a vote for him. My vote goes to a First Nations person that suffered for her faith; Kateri Tekakwitha.
May have to flip a coin, since both saints have convincing defenders.
Thanks go to Megan Castellan and Neva Rae Fox for shedding light on two very interesting people.
Not understanding either Irish or Scots Gaelic, I was unable to evaluate Columba's last words and so voted for Kateri.
I am a Gallagher, the clan which served as the household cavalry for Clan O'Neil, so I must choose Columba. Additionally, I am a book lover, and -- personally -- his renunciation of violence and re-committal to his monastic vows resonates more than his evangelism.
Scotland, Ireland, holy islands and books?! I had to vote for Columba!
Given I have my own little Kateri Rose (2 1/2 months old) I just have to vote for her Patroness!
Iona is one of the holiest places on the planet, alive with the spirit of the Dove of the Church, Columcille. And the ruins of Durrow breathe peace in the woodlands. Columba, hands down, no contest!
While I find much about Columba's tale repugnant, and I do feel drawn to stand by my native sister ... I am disinclined to vote for folks who did little more than shut themselves up somewhere and pray. As lovely an example as that is... I have to go with the Battling Bibliophile.
I voted for Kater Tekakwitha, and I'm proud
All this time I thought Columba was a woman, so I voted for Kateri.
How could I *not* vote for Kateri?!? I belong to the St. Catherine of Siena chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King (Diocese of Chicago) and I am the living embodiment of ""She who bumps into things." Kateri may become my new patron saint!
Compare St. Columba's words, "They that have the Lord shall lack no good thing," with St. Theresa of Avila's "He who has God finds that he lacks nothing" from the prayer "Nadia ne turbe."
I am live-in caregiver for my mother who's in the last stages of Alzheimer's Disease. What this disease does is really pretty monstrous. So I voted for Columba knowing full well that the story of Nessie's conversion is as mythical as Nessie herself, but it's resonating with me this morning. Most days I know I would vote for Kateri. Today it's about books, forgiveness, and changing monsters.
I fondly remember the 1985 conference of the Association of Diocesan Liturgy and Music Commissions (ADLMC) which was held at Assisi Heights (convent) in Rochester, MN. One of the most welcoming meeting rooms was the Tekawitha Lounge. I have to vote for Kateri.
My vote goes to Columba, a fellow bibliophile. Also, people who err and sin, realize it and repent, are close to Jesus' heart. The story of his horse's love for him was icing on the cake.
I'm glad to know more about Kateri, but voted for Columba. It is hard to look honestly at one's actions and the harms they have caused, much less repent and choose a new path.
Man, I can appreciate someone being named for their clumsiness. Kateri gets my vote in solidarity.
I voted for Columba. Our family (on my mom's maternal side) is from a very small island off the west coast of Scotland....Colonsay and its tiny neighbor Oransay. Legend has it that Columba first landed on Colonsay and began to establish his church on Oransay....but on a clear day he could see Ireland and it was a dad distraction, so he left and moved to Iona. We stayed on Colonsay for 4 days back in the mid 1980s....very strong ancestral vibes, very strong sense of the wildness of nature! Fresh oysters for starters, gathered at Oransay.
If Kateri and Columba could have conceived a child, she or he would have certainly won the Golden Halo. Nessy would have been only the first of many monsters to convert.
I think I decided on Columba as soon as I read that he was a book lover (like me). I loved the part about converting the Loch Ness monster, and I was happy that he changed his violent ways. Also, my grandson announced last week that he was picking Columba as his patron saint for Confirmation. I guess this just had to be.
Once again a great bio changed my mind! And hey, anyone who converts ol' Nessy is holy in my book!
It's a vote for Columba today!
This is terribly unfair! To pit these two scions, one of French-Canada (Vive le Quebec libre!) and the other from Iona......we should just have these two the final two. My two cents.
One of my very favorite books a kid was about Columba: http://theartofchildrenspicturebooks.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-man-who-loved-books-trina-schart.html
Nothing against native American Kateri, but the hymn tune St. Columba is the tune to my favorite version of the 23rd psalm: The King of Love My Shepherd Is! I had to vote for St. Columba (besides I am 1/4 Irish). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cHWMltF9_8