In the course of Pope Francis’ historic two-day visit to Ireland over 25-26 August, reference was made in a number of speeches and homilies to the patron saint of the Missionary Society of St Columban – St Columbanus.
Here are extracts from the relevant speeches and homilies.
Extract of Pope Francis’ Speech at Dublin Castle
Dear friends,
Almost ninety years ago, the Holy See was among the first international institutions to recognize the Irish Free State. That initiative signalled the beginning of many years of dynamic cooperation and harmony, with only an occasional cloud on the horizon. Recently intensive endeavour and goodwill on both sides have contributed significantly to a promising renewal of those friendly relations for the mutual benefit of all.
The threads of that history reach back to over a millennium and a half ago, when the Christian message, preached by Palladius and Patrick, found a home in Ireland and became an integral part of Irish life and culture.
Many “saints and scholars” were inspired to leave these shores and bring their newfound faith to other lands. To this day, the names of Columba, Columbanus, Brigid, Gall, Killian, Brendan and so many others are still revered throughout Europe and beyond. On this island monasticism, as a source of civilization and artistic creativity, wrote a splendid page in Irish and universal history.
Today as in the past, the men and women who live in this country strive to enrich the life of the nation with the wisdom born of their faith. Even in Ireland’s darkest hours, they found in that faith a source of the courage and commitment needed to forge a future of freedom and dignity, justice and solidarity. The Christian message has been an integral part of that experience, and has shaped the language, thought and culture of people on this island.
It is my prayer that Ireland, in listening to the polyphony of contemporary political and social discussion, will not be forgetful of the powerful strains of the Christian message that have sustained it in the past, and can continue to do so in the future.
With these thoughts, I cordially invoke upon you, and upon all the beloved Irish people, God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace. Thank you.”
Extract from Pope Francis’ Homily at Phoenix Park
The task of bearing witness to this Good News is not easy. Yet the challenges that Christians face today are, in their own way, no less difficult than those faced by the earliest Irish missionaries. I think of Saint Columbanus, who with his small band of companions brought the light of the Gospel to the lands of Europe in an age of darkness and cultural dissolution. Their extraordinary missionary success was not based on tactical methods or strategic plans, no, but on a humble and liberating docility to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It was their daily witness of fidelity to Christ and to each other that won hearts yearning for a word of grace and helped give birth to the culture of Europe. That witness remains a perennial source of spiritual and missionary renewal for God’s holy and faithful people.
Of course, there will always be people who resist the Good News, who “murmur” at its “hard words”. Yet like Saint Columbanus and his companions, who faced icy waters and stormy seas to follow Jesus, may we never be swayed or discouraged by the icy stare of indifference or the stormy winds of hostility.
Extract from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s speech to Pope Francis at Dublin Castle
Is de bharr do chuairte, ta go leor againne ag smaoineamh nios faide agus nios doimhne anois ar an gcaidreamh ata idir Eirinn agus an Eaglais Chaitliceach Romanach… creideamh a thugadh go hEirinn na ceadta bliain o shin.
Sa seu haois, thug file, scolaire agus manach darb ainm Columban… no “Saint Columbanus” mar a thugtar air sa Bhearla, teachtaireacht an tsoisceil ar ais chun na Mor-Roinne. Is de thoisc a chuid oibre, tugadh an teideal “an chead Eorpach na hEireann” air agus Naomh-Phatrun doibh siud ata ag iarraidh Eoraip chomhaontaithe a chur i gcrioch.
The Christian faith inspired many of the people, Catholic and Protestant, who led our campaigns for freedom and independence. Indeed both the 1916 Proclamation of Independence and the Constitution invoke God in their opening lines. In more recent years, Christian democracy and Christian ideas also helped to inform and guide the founders of the European Union, inspiring a continent to abandon war in favour of ever closer co-operation.
The Catholic Church has always helped us to understand that we are citizens of a wider world and part of a global family.
Our brave missionary priests and nuns provided an education to many around the world, and helped the sick, the poor and the vulnerable. Today our UN peacekeepers and our international development workers around the world follow in that proud tradition, and charities like Trócaire and Concern help those who suffer from famine today, and also refugees.
People of profound Christian faith provided education to our children when the State did not, in the open air next to hedgerows and in the schools and educational institutions they built. They founded our oldest hospitals, staffed them, and provided welfare for so many of our people. We think of the many wonderful organisations today who continue that work, like St Vincent de Paul to name just one.
Full speeches: http://www.dublindiocese.ie/pope-francis-speeches-in-ireland/