The 2024/5 Annual Report of the Missionary Society of St Columban reflects the enduring commitment of Columban missionaries who continue to serve in diverse and often difficult contexts, Society Leader, Fr Andrei Paz, has said. In his message to accompany the new...
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the deaths of seven Columbans in the Korean War. Historian Mairéad O’Brien writes about three of the seven who were killed in the Taejon Massacre. The 24th of September 2025 is the 75th anniversary of the Massacre at Taejon,...
November is the month of the Holy Souls, a time to remember and pray for the deceased. The month begins with the Feast of All Saints on 1st of November and is followed by the Feast of All Souls (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed) on 2nd of November. We are...
As we continue to celebrate the Season of Creation through various activities and events this month, we look at some of the projects inspired by Laudato Si’ which the Columbans in the region of Ireland have undertaken. In 2015, Pope Francis published 'Laudato Si’:...
On Sunday, 31st August 2025, St Patrick’s Church Banbridge, Co Down held an afternoon in memory of Columban Martyr, Fr Joseph Monaghan, who along with Frs John Henaghan, Patrick Kelly, and Peter Fallon was killed in Manila during the Japanese occupation of the...
Imagine a world where barren lands bloom into vibrant green and peace reigns not only among people but with all creation - this is the vision at the heart of the Season of Creation 2025. Inspired by Isaiah’s words, “The effect of righteousness will be peace, and...
The September/October issue of the Far East has a special focus on the Season of Creation (1st September – 4th October). In this issue Fr Alvaro Martinez writes about water scarcity caused by large monoculture plantations in southern Chile and how he has helped...
If Columban Mission is a “mad thing to do”, as our co-founder Bishop Edward Galvin once said, then there can be none more mad – nor more inspiring – than the three members of the Collier family who joined the Society, writes Fr John Boles. “When his family heard...
Columban missionary Fr Barry Cairns marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan and one Catholic’s campaign for peace and reconciliation. It is 80 years since atomic bombs struck Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On 6th August 1945 at 8:15am the first of these...
In the July/August 2025 Editorial of the Far East magazine, the Regional Director in Ireland, Fr David Kenneally, writes about the anniversaries occurring this year of some of our Columbans who died violently on mission: five Columbans in Malate 80 years ago, seven...