WINDOW TO ST. COLUMBANUS. (East elevation - 9th window) The main figure in the design of this window is the Irish missionary and Abbot of Bobbio. The Saint’s attributes are depicted in the apex above the head. The crook of the pastoral staff is turned inward to identify his ecclesiastical rank, since, in the case of bishops, the crook is turned outwards. The scroll in his hands displays a portion of his letter to Pope Gregory, with the Latin quotation, Nos enim Hiberni, ultimi habitatores mundi, S.S. Petri et Pauli discipuli sumus.
The Saint carries the book satchel of the early scribes. At his feet is the heraldic wolfhound. An area of contrasting color against the general background is obtained by the use of the green outer cloak. The medallion subjects are: At the left, St. Columbanus and companions setting out from Ireland for missionary work on the European continent about 580 A.D., arriving at Milan in 612, Columbanus receives a gift of land on which is a ruined church. The donors are King Agilulf and Queen Theodolinda, and the land is to be the site of the monastery of Bobbio. |
The medallion in the base commemorates the Saint’s sojourn in France. There he founded and became Abbot of the monastery of Luxeuil, where he instituted a service known as Laus Perennis. These incidents summarize his labors in Ireland, Italy and France and the three monastic centers influenced by his example and labors.
The following symbol motifs are introduced:
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