PLEASE NOTE: I used comic illustrations to convey the biographical information about Saint Columba.
The first sentence of my paper begins "He was an exile, a plagiarist..."
He was an exile, a plagiarist, a loner, a fighter, and a saint. Though he lacks the traditional bravado of a modern hero who rushes into war to fight for freedom or love or the greater good of mankind, Saint Columba fought for his soulÕs benefit before fighting for a young nationÕs often contradictory ideals. The pride, passion, and independence of Saint ColumbaÕs early life yielded to heroic solitude, spiritual rebirth, and emotional purity in Saint ColumbaÕs later years.
His early life was less than extraordinary for the time: He was born of
two noble Irish parents around 521 A.D., baptized as Columb, and raised
for the ministry. At the appropriate age he left home to become a
student of bishop St. Finnian. From these ordinary beginnings, Saint
Columba began a noteworthy life; he always followed his mind, acting in
a way that exemplified lucidity and, thus, purity of emotions.
After serving the church for sometime, Saint Columba
was greatly altered by what may be considered his tragic flaw: pride.
When Saint Columba was a student of Finnian, he developed dedication
and obedience. These traits inspired his pupils who dedicated their
lives to the church and obediently practiced the monastic life by
living in seclusion on Iona and studying religion constantly. In
contrast with these positive traits, Saint Columba could not overcome
his instinct to serve himself. In complete disregard for monastic
commands, Saint Columba snuck into FinnianÕs study each night to copy
FinnianÕs Book of Psalms. This crime was comparable to the crime of
plagiarism today.
When caught and tried
for his actions, Saint Columba was publicly humiliated by King Diarmait
MacCerbhaill who remarked: ÒTo every cow belongs her calf, therefore to
every book belongs its copy.Ó[3] Saint Columba was disgraced. He
rallied supporters for his cause and readied them for battle.
Although a rash reaction, Saint ColumbaÕs response demonstrates his
ability to channel his strong, driving, pure emotion to further his
cause. Saint ColumbaÕs army clashed with King DiarmitÕs Ð the man who
had insulted Saint Columba Ð in a battle that cost three thousand
lives. As a consequence of this battle, Saint Columba exiled from
Ireland and temporarily shunned by the Church. [4]
[1, 2, 5]
The unfortunate series of events leading to exile brought Saint Columba
to his low point; from then on, his more traditionally heroic
attributes shone through. Saint ColumbaÕs conduct from his
excommunication forward aligns with that of a more traditional hero,
his influences - including many Biblical texts - are noble and
timeless, and Saint ColumbaÕs writings together with those inspired by
him preserve his legacy.
After his
excommunication in 563 A.D., Saint Columba set sail and landed at Iona,
a tiny island off the west coast of Scotland. Saint ColumbaÕs
lonesomeness during exile undoubtedly shaped him and his worldview. We
often hear that it is those at the top who are the loneliest, but I
believe the inverse may be true: those who are most lonely are able to
rise to the top. Saint Columba ultimately redefined his destiny the way
that I aspire to redefine mine. He transformed his fate from that of a
forlorn ŽmigrŽ stuck on a forgotten island to that of a man who created
a quiet place where Christianity survived during the ensuing Dark
Ages. I find myself almost jealous of the saintÕs circumstance
because he makes it seem so natural and easy to change the situation he
was in from negative to positive. When stripped of everything with
which he was familiar and cast out into the big and still mysterious
world, Saint Columba was able to channel his emotions, freely defining
both himself and his beliefs. Thus, exile served as Saint
ColumbaÕs rebirth. Spiritual renewal and rebirth serve as an important
step in every heroÕs progress. Rebirth also allows a hero to examine
his role, as Ram Dass discusses in How Can I Help?: ÒThe most familiar
models of who we are Ð father and daughter, ÒhelperÓ and ÒhelpedÓ Ð
often turn out to be major obstaclesÉÓ [6] This rebirth provides
a hero with a needed catharsis, reminding the hero to follow his
motivating emotions Ð his hatred, his love, his disgust, or his desire
Ð while heeding his carefully construed life plans.
On Iona, He founded an abbey that is still in use today, over
fourteen-hundred years later. Saint Columba showed great prudence when
he chose meek Iona for his abbey. Because of its seeming
insignificance, the isle proved a perfect place for monks to enjoy
serenity and thus find inner peace. In addition, the islandÕs seclusion
protected it from armed conflicts and wars. This foresight makes Saint
Columba deserving of great respect. [7]
Through the experiences discussed above, Saint Columba became an
exemplary man, worthy of consideration as a hero. His unique heroic
traits were reflections of his readings and teachers. As a pupil of
Saint Finnian, Saint Columba was most likely influenced by the
teachings of the Welsh Church where Finnian was trained. [10] Saint
Columba also read the Bible and religious texts extensively as he
trained for the monastic life. Through the ages, translations, and
biases of authors, Saint ColumbaÕs life has been subordinate to the
will of the historian. Since most who research the man will realize his
story is murky and patchy, Saint Columba is open to interpretation by
any modern person who must choose to believe what he or she needs for
him to fill the role of hero. The literature surrounding Saint Columba,
however, preserves the veracity of his character to contemporary
researchers. Accessible, primary sources concerning Saint Columba
provide researchers with a deeper understanding of the man and his
deeds. Some specific writings and texts provide the most direct
evidence of Saint ColumbaÕs life and deeds.
An image from the Book of Kells transcribed by Columba. An image of the remains of the Cathach.
First, one of Saint ColumbaÕs earliest writngs, the Cathach, is the
infamous fifty-eight-volume manuscript of psalms which the Saint
ÒplagiarizedÓ when a student of Finnian. His other writings include
religious manuscripts and books, Latin hymns and poetry, and psalters,
or short books of Psalms. In addition to Saint ColumbaÕs original
works, the literature he and his monks copied in the monastery was very
important,ÒÉ providing texts for use in services, for private
devotions, and for study, teaching, and schoolwork.Ó [11] Saint
Columba also composed many poems, including ÒFarewell to AranÓ as a
departing testament to Ireland before he left the country forever.
Finally, Vitae Columbae by Adomnan was written shortly after Saint
ColumbaÕs death and includes the most detailed and accurate portrayal
of the SaintÕs life. These texts contribute to modern understanding of
Saint Columba and ensure that his ideas are not lost or forgotten over
time.
Saint Columba is my hero specifically because he
has characteristics that I admire and because his deeds are overlooked
but important to the history of Scotland and Christianity. Since Saint
Columba began his life in an ordinary way, I have hope that my life
could become something extraordinary despite its mundane beginnings. I
also admire the saintÕs dedication. Even though his focus shifted as
his life progressed, he dedicated himself fully to whatever he did. I
aspire to emulate Saint Columba, never participating half-heartedly.
Although I know I have a long way to go, I feel that if I can throw
myself into everything I do, never looking back, that I will have a
more meaningful life Ð a life someone may deem worthy of remembering.
However, I Saint ColumbaÕs anonymity also makes him into a hero for me.
I have always related to underdogs or forgotten figures more readily
than to those who share in the limelight. I would much rather be a
speechwriter than a speech giver, an advisor than a president, an
author writing under a pseudonym than an actor before an adoring
audience. I feel that those behind the scenes possess the real power
without letting this power distract them. Since they do not get much
credit, they do not feel the need to act according to the will of the
public. Instead, they keep a clear mind. Saint Columba is a perfect
example of someone who did not receive much attention during his life.
Accordingly, he lived by his principles and fought for his beliefs
consistently, never becoming weighted down by the expectations of
others. Finally, the fact that more than a thousand years later,
several groups people Ð not many, but still enough to make a difference
Ð remember the man makes him my hero. He never had, does not have, and
will probably never have millions of admirers. But those who have
traveled to Iona, studied the history of Christianity in Europe, or
developed a background in the more obscure religious figures from
Europe know of Saint Columba and appreciate his deeds. His memory is
alive in many people as a kind of weak, persistent flame rather than a
huge fire of popularity that burns itself out. If I could create such a
memory for myself, become someone who is not forgotten, but not thought
of everyday either, I would achieve one of my life goals. So, because
Saint Columba lived his life and continues his legacy in a way that I
admire and would like to replicate, he hero.
Saint Columba never exhibited Òsuperhuman strengthÓ [12] or
Òextraordinary valourÓ [13] like a traditional hero; he is not an
Òillustrious warrior,Ó[12] as a widely accepted hero must be. He simply
is not a hero to the populace. He is, though, a hero to me. According
to Virgil in Eclogue IV Pollio, a hero may be self defined if first
that heroÕs fame has been closely examined and, secondly, if the
concept of virtue has been carefully considered:
ÉBut soon
As thou hast skill to read of heroesÕ fame,
And of thy fatherÕs deeds, and inly learn
What virtue is, the plain by slow degrees
With waving corn-crops shall to golden grow,
From the wild briar shall hang the blushing grape,
And stubborn oaks sweat honey-dewÉ [14]
Considering
the entirety of his life and legacy - his trials and triumphs Ð Saint
Columba earns the distinction not just of a role model, but also of my
hero. Because he was an exile, he experience rebirth. Because he was a
plagiarist, Biblical texts survived turbulent times. Because he was a
loner, he thought independently. Because he was a fighter, he won a
battle for his principles. And because he was able to intertwine all of
these personas into one, he was a made a saint.
Word count in total: 1748
Word count without quotes: 1628
Words omitted from P3A: 64
Word count of quotes: 120
Word Count of Required Discussion Boards:
RDB1: 379
RDB2: 348
RDB3: 460
RDB4: 583
RDB5: 730
Total: 2500