Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Life of St. Columba (Author: [unknown])

Chapter 5

Of the danger to the holy Bishop Colman Mocusailni in the sea, near the island called Rechru

ON another day; also, while St. Columba was engaged in his mother-church, he suddenly cried out, with a smile, ‘Columbanus, the son of Beogna, has just now set out on a voyage to us, and is in great danger in the rolling tides of Brecan's whirlpool: he is sitting at the prow and raising both his hands to heaven: he is also blessing that angry and dreadful sea: yet in this the Lord only frightens him, for the ship in which he is shall not be wrecked in the storm; but this is rather to excite him to pray more fervently, that by God's favour he may escape the danger of his voyage, and reach us in safety.’