Comgall Founded a Famous, World-Changing, Monastery in Ireland
This church at the site of the old abbey dates back only to the 14th century.
COMGALL FOUNDED AN IMPORTANT MONASTERY in Ireland that sent missionaries to the British Isles and continental Europe—linking him to the conversion of parts of Switzerland, France, and Italy. Though he is frequently mentioned in the writings of the seventh through twelfth centuries, it is only in scattered scraps; scholars have had to work hard to piece together the probable course of his life.
Comgall was born around 516. As was expected of an Irish boy of his time and social setting, he grew up working the fields. He served briefly in the military under the leadership of a local chieftain named Dalraidia. Recognizing Comgall’s aptitude for spiritual life, Dalraidia released him from military service. The young man set out to gain spiritual knowledge from a local teacher. However, the teacher’s life fell short of holiness, and so Comgall prepared an object lesson for him. He rolled his coat in mud before his lessons one day. As he expected, his teacher rebuked him for appearing in such filth. Comgall was ready with his retort: “Is it not a greater shame for anyone to soil his soul and body with sin?”
Leaving home, he traveled to study with St. Finian, an Irish monk of about his own age but already famed for holiness. After studying at a second monastery, he returned home, where he was ordained a priest by Bishop Ludiger. Having preached the Gospel among his own people, he settled with several young men on an island near Ulster where they practiced such harsh asceticism that seven of them died.
Around 559, Comgall founded Bangor, one of Ireland’s most famous monastic centers. His rule was strict, but not so strict that it killed the monks. The rule has not survived, but this is thought to be an authentic line from it: “This is the most important part of the rule: Love Christ; hate wealth.”
Hundreds of young men accepted hardship to study with Comgall and grow in the practice of holiness. By the time of his death, about three thousand monks were under his authority. Among his pupils are usually numbered famous missionary-evangelists Columbanus and Gall.
Comgall suffered terribly at the end of his life, but no records specify the nature of his illness. He died on this day, 10 May 601 at Bangor.* Moved by the Holy Spirit, St. Fiacra of Conwall visited Comgall at the end of his life, administering the Eucharist to him one last time.
—Dan Graves
* Authorities also give 600, 602, or 603 as the year.
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