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 ==Biography==
 Columbanus was born in [[Leinster]], Ireland, in the year [[Saint Benedict]] died, and from childhood well instructed. He was handsome and prepossessing in appearance, and this exposed him to the shameless temptations of several of his countrywomen. He also had to struggle with his own temptations. At last he betook himself to a religious woman, who advised him thus: "Twelve years ago I fled from the world, and shut myself up in this cell. Hast thou forgotten Samson, David and Solomon, all led astray by the love of women? There is no safety for thee, young man, except in flight."
He thereupon decided to act on this advice and retire from the world. He encountered opposition, especially from his mother, who strove to detain him by casting herself before him on the threshold of the door. But conquering the feelings of natures he passed over the prostrate form and left his home forever. His first master was Sinell, Abbot of [[Cluaninis]] in [[Lough Erne]]. Under his tuition he composed a commentary on the [[Psalms]]. 
 
 He then betook himself to the celebrated monastery of [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]] on the coast of Down, which at that time had for its abbot [[St. Comgall]]. There he embraced the monastic state, and for many years led a life conspicuous for fervour, regularity and learning. At about the age of forty he seemed to hear incessantly the voice of God bidding him preach the Gospel in foreign lands. At first his abbot declined to let him go, but at length he consented. 
 
 <eod> <sod> 
 ==Biography==
 Columbanus was born in [[Leinster]], Ireland, in the year [[Saint Benedict]] died, and from childhood well instructed. He was handsome and prepossessing in appearance, and this exposed him to the shameless temptations of several of his countrywomen. He also had to struggle with his own temptations. At last he betook himself to a religious woman, who advised him thus: "Twelve years ago I fled from the world, and shut myself up in this cell. Hast thou forgotten Samson, David and Solomon, all led astray by the love of women? There is no safety for thee, young man, except in flight."
He thereupon decided to act on this advice and retire from the world. 

He encountered opposition, especially from his mother, who strove to detain him by casting herself before him on the threshold of the door. But conquering the feelings of natures he passed over the prostrate form and left his home forever. His first master was Sinell, Abbot of [[Cluaninis]] in [[Lough Erne]]. Under his tuition he composed a commentary on the [[Psalms]]. 
 
 He then betook himself to the celebrated monastery of [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]] on the coast of Down, which at that time had for its abbot [[St. Comgall]]. There he embraced the monastic state, and for many years led a life conspicuous for fervour, regularity and learning. At about the age of forty he seemed to hear incessantly the voice of God bidding him preach the Gospel in foreign lands. At first his abbot declined to let him go, but at length he consented. 
 
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