January 20 - Come to the Fountain of Living Water

Columbanus was an Irish missionary, who with twelve others sailed first to Scotland and then crossed over to France in 585 to begin their apostolic mission to the Franks and later to the Lombards. Wherever they went, the people were struck by their modesty, patience, and humility. Despite opposition from local authorities, Columbanus and his followers established monasteries along the way to continue their work. True to his Celtic background, Columbanus had a great love for God's creatures and was also a poet, writer and scholar.