St. Colum was born in Ireland and lived during the 500’s AD. This Celtic saint spent most of his ministry in Scotland where he founded a church and a monastery, of which he was the first Abbot, on the Isle of Iona. St. Colum so loved God’s creation in nature that one of the defining characteristics of monasticism at his Abbey was a deep appreciation for nature and the Holy Spirit’s presence in it. There are many tales of St. Colum interacting with and caring for the animals around him. St. Colum and the Crane is one of the best examples of his unending care for animals, especially birds. Through this story, your children will learn the importance of caring for God’s creation as seen in the life of St. Colum.