Our Lord calls St. Colman Mac Duagh back to the Burren

St. Colman Returns to his Beloved Burren

t. Colman had the happiness of beholding with his own eyes a rich harvest that blessed his labours. Later Church historians would refer to his diocese as "Great Aidhne, land of the Saints." The fame of his sanctity was familiar to all. But while his diocese rejoiced in the blessings which his labours and presence brought them, he was himself filled with a consciousness of his own unworthiness, and he longed to be free from the heavy burden of the episcopal charge. He was weary of the praises of men, and wished to hide himself in solitude once more, and there wait his approaching death.

Fr. Fahey writes in reference to St. Colman's love for the virtue of detachment:

"Even during the years of his public labours, his mind frequently went back to his beloved solitude in the Burren. He treasured the memory of those happy days which he spent there, with no interruption which might divert his thoughts from the contemplation of holy things. For him there was society in solitude; and in the "pathless woods,"
there was enduring attractiveness, for he could there
commune without interruption with his Maker."

In approximately 625 A.D., St. Colman, desiring to devote himself more closely to God and following the example of other holy bishops in the History of the Irish Church such as St. Assicus, the holy Bishop of Elphin, resigned his episcopal duties. He settled in a part of the Burren known as the valley of Oughtmama. Here, then, in his beloved retirement, St. Colman awaited his approaching death with the assured confidence of the just.

Next: His Holy Death >>