St Columbanus was a man who crossed borders, literally and figuratively, and was the first to speak about a European identity. For his feast day on 23rd November we publish an extract of former president of Ireland Dr Mary McAleese's talk: ‘Columbanus, the Man from...
On the centenary of the death of Venerable Matt Talbot, Fr Seán Coyle recalls this popular patron of those struggling with alcoholism who may become the first person connected with the Columbans to be canonised. Venerable Matt Talbot died one hundred years ago on...
On a recent visit to South America, Fr Alo Connaughton spoke to two men about their experiences as migrants. In Peru, Columban missionary Fr Nguyen Xuan Tien shared about his journey from his home in Vietnam to Australia where he joined the Columbans. In Chile,...
Margaret Cleary recalls her experience as a teacher with AITECE at Hubei University. Some years ago, I read about AITECE’s recruitment of teachers for China in the Far East. I have always longed to work and live in China as I am fascinated by its culture and...
Advent, a unique time of waiting and preparation in the liturgical year, can mirror the anticipation Mary felt as she carried the baby Jesus in her womb, writes Columban Lay Missionary Nathalie Marytsch. For many across the world, this joyful season is marked by...
As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of St Columban on 23rd November, we publish a piece by five Columban missionaries - Srs Virgie Mozo, Ha Suk Shin, Lucia So, Kathleen Mary Riordan and Ann Gray - who walked in the footsteps of our patron, St Columban, as part of...
A letter written by Columban Missionary, Bishop Thomas Quinlan, dating from 12th August 1968 was recently unearthed by the Columbans in Britain. Writing from Korea, Bishop Quinlan reminisces about being one of the first fourteen Columbans to go to China in 1920. He...
"It is not often that a charitable organisation gets the opportunity to celebrate 50 years of service to the Filipino people," writes Columban Missionary Fr Shay Cullen, founder of the PREDA Foundation. This year is the golden anniversary of the founding of the...
Fr Paul Glynn writes about his work with the Dublin City Interfaith Forum which promotes acceptance and cooperation between the diverse religious communities that now exist in Ireland. Anyone who has had the misfortune of ending up in an overcrowded hospital...
Fr Vincent Busch recounts how a young Subanen man managed to escape with his life but not without injury from Jihadists in Mindanao. Thanks to the Columbans he is now recovered and a skilled Subanen Crafter. The Subanens are an indigenous people whose ancestral...