Columbanus, Saint (?-615), was an Irish missionary whose work greatly influenced the spread of Christian teaching in Europe. He founded three monasteries in France, the best known of them at Luxeuil. Many of his pupils later set up religious establishments throughout Europe, and others became bishops. Columbanus criticized the pagan ways of the French nobility and was eventually exiled. He died in Italy.
In his early life, Columbanus studied in monasteries in Ireland. He left Ireland about 580. His feast day is November 21. In Ireland, it falls on November 23.
