ST COLUMBA (or COLUMCILLE)
(521 A.D. - 597)
(from a monastic Rule attributed to him)
Forgiveness from the heart of everyone.
Constant prayers for those who trouble you.
Fervour in singing the Office of the Dead, as if every deceased person was a particular friend of yours.
Let your vigils be constant from eve to eve, under the direction of another person.
Three labours in the day: prayer, work, and reading.
The work to be divided into three parts: 1. Your own work, and the work of your place, as regards its real needs. 2. Your share of the brethren's work. 3. To help the neighbours: by instruction or writing, or sewing garments, or whatever help they need.
Follow alms-giving before all things.
Do not take food till you are hungry.
Do not sleep till you need to.
Do not speak except on business.
Anything extra that you have in the way of food or clothing, give it out of pity to the brethren who need it, or to the poor in like manner.
The love of God with all your heart and all your strength; the love of your neighbour as yourself.
Abide in the Testament of God throughout all times.
Your measure of prayer shall be until your tears come; the measure of your work and of your genuflexions, until your perspiration comes, if your tears are not free. 