Reflections in Bobbio
03.03.2010
Fr Saenz, an American Columban missionary visits the grave of St Columban, patron of St Columban’s Mission Society, in Bobbio, Italy.
After doing a short course in Wales, I decided to make a short trip to Italy. One of my main interests was to travel to Bobbio, in northern Italy, and visit the tomb of St Columban (543-615) in the basilica that bears his name. I wanted to follow the final earthly footsteps of the saint. So, armed with Tomas O’Fiaich’s book, COLUMBANUS: In His Own Words, I left from Rome taking the seven hour train and bus journey to Bobbio.
Arriving at Bobbio I felt tired from the trip. I bought some cold medicine, had a meal, telephoned the parish priest of the basilica, arranged a time to celebrate Eucharist and went to bed.
Lying in bed I had a chance to re-read O’Fiaich’s book. I realized that my small adventures and mishaps where nothing compared to the life of St Columban as he travelled around Europe. Columban faced wild creatures (bears and wolves), brigands, political intrigues, religious controversy, imprisonment, wrath of a royal family (namely Queen Brunhilde) and exile. However, this didn’t stop him from establishing monasteries all across Europe that became major centres of study and prayer for centuries. At the age of 70 he crossed the Alps with no benefit of train or bus service.
The next day I woke feeling refreshed. After breakfast I headed to the basilica. There were steps leading below the main altar to the chapel which contained the body of the saint. Slowly I climbed down and entered.
In front of the altar is the white marble sarcophagus of Columban, surrounded by a metal railing and electric candles of light at the four corners. The sides of the sarcophagus had scenes from the saint’s life. The side facing the altar had the words written in Latin: HERE LIES IN THE PEACE OF CHRIST, ST COLUMBAN, ABBOT. The top had an engraved image of the saint lying peacefully with his hands crossed. I felt a sense of awe. I knelt down and offered a prayer.
Afterwards, I celebrated the Eucharist in front of Columban’s tomb. Taking O’Fiaich’s book I read excerpts from the sermons of Columban and reflected on his life. Columban is often depicted as a hard, severe saint who gave no compromise. He blasted kings, queens, bishops and popes in his letters. Columban handed out severe penances.
His punishing of St Gall not to celebrate the Eucharist until his death because Columban felt Gall gave into his human weakness when not continuing their pilgrimage, can be seen as excessive. Yet, reading the sermons and standing by his tomb I saw a different side of the man.
Columban was a man who felt that truth should never be compromised. The truth didn’t bend to friend or foe. Thus, Columban spoke his mind concerning the truth. Certainly, those who were accustomed to people telling them what they wanted to hear (i.e. ... royalty) were furious. Furthermore, Columban was interested in unity and not division. Even though controversy followed him, Columban did not create the controversy.
He sought to repair it with unity and pleaded for Christians to accept one another. If both parties believed in Jesus Christ where is the argument?
The Church in the age of Columban was accustomed to ex-communicating many people for almost any transgression. Columban didn’t seek to ex-communicate or exclude, he was more compassionate. His fight with Gall caused him great pain and on his death bed Columban asked that his staff, which he had carried from Ireland all throughout his journeys, be given to St Gall as a sign of reconciliation. The task was carried out and Gall wept for Columban.
What was most notable about Columban was his spiritual outlook.
A monk, Columban greatly believed in solitude and meditation away from the world. Yet, Columban did not preach about avoiding the world.
On the contrary, he felt that the earthly reflects the divine. If one is able to contemplate the “lesser,” one could begin to contemplate the “greater.” If one is incapable to contemplate the “lesser” than one is incapable of the “greater.” However, Columban was quick to point out that the earthly life is but a road to the “homeland.” The road must not be confused as the “homeland.”
Therefore, we make haste to arrive at our destination and we do not delay on the road. Such was Columban’s view of the spiritual life.
After celebrating the Eucharist, I walked around the small town and marvelled at the tranquility and quietness of it. Nestled in the mountains, Bobbio provides beautiful natural scenery. Columban couldn’t have picked a more serene place for his mortal remains after a life of intrigue, controversies and turmoil.
I can see why our founder, Bishop Edward Galvin, chose St Columban as our patron. Columban was a saint that comes once a millennium and I am privileged to be able to participate in the mission under his guidance.
Fr Chris Saenz was ordained in 2000 and is presently involved with seminary formation.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)