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

Chapter 2

Of the Ray of Light which was seen upon the boy's face as he lay asleep

ON another night, Cruithnecan, a priest of blameless life, to whose care the blessed youth was confided, upon returning home from the church after mass, found his house illuminated with a bright light, and saw in fact a ball of fire standing over the face of the little boy as he lay asleep. At the sight he at once shook with fear, and fell down with his face to the ground in great amazement, well knowing that it indicated the grace of the Holy Spirit poured out from heaven upon his young charge.