St. Columba Coloring Page
This St. Columba coloring page shows the Irish monk in his hooded habit on the shore of Iona, holding his abbot's staff and a book, with a dove overhead, a little currach boat and a gentle white horse. The PDF is free to print. Columba brought the Gospel to Scotland.
The story of St. Columba
About 1,500 years ago in Ireland, a boy was born into a family of kings. His name was Colum, which means "dove." Later people called him Colum Cille, the dove of the church, and in Latin his name is Columba.
Columba loved God and he loved books. He became a monk and a priest, and he started monasteries in Ireland. He copied the Psalms and the Gospels by hand, letter by letter. People say he copied hundreds of books in his life.
When he was a grown man, Columba decided to become a pilgrim for Christ. He and twelve friends climbed into a small boat called a currach, made of wood and animal skins, and sailed across the sea to Scotland. They landed on a little island called Iona. There they built a church and small huts to live in, and Iona became a home for monks for hundreds of years.
From Iona, Columba traveled to tell the people of Scotland about Jesus. One story says he visited a king who kept his gates shut tight. Columba made the sign of the cross on the gates, and they swung open!
When Columba was an old man, he knew he was going to die soon. On his last day, the white horse that carried the monastery's milk came up and gently laid its head against him, as if to say goodbye. Columba told his helper, "Let it alone, as it is so fond of me." That night at midnight he went into the church, knelt at the altar and died peacefully.
St. Columba died in 597. He is one of the great Irish saints and a patron of Ireland, Scotland and poets. His feast is June 9.
What to color
- His habit: white, cream or light brown wool.
- His staff: brown wood, for an abbot who cared for his monks.
- His book: red or green, with a gold Celtic knot on the cover.
- The dove: white, because his name means dove.
- The currach: brown, the boat that carried him to Iona.
- The white horse: white with a gray mane, his faithful friend.
- Iona: green grass, gray stones, blue and green sea.
A prayer to pray together
Before he died, Columba told his monks to be at peace and to love one another. We can pray:
St. Columba, pray for us.
Children can add: help us live in peace with each other.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on his feast, June 9.
- Copy a favorite Bible verse in your best handwriting and decorate the first letter, like the old Irish monks did.
- Find Ireland, Scotland and the island of Iona on a map, and trace Columba's boat trip.
- Make a paper dove and write a prayer on its wings.
- Talk about it: Columba left home to share Jesus with others. Who can we share God's love with this week?
Read the full story: St. Columba of Iona in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Columba?
Irish monks wore plain wool, so his habit can be white, cream or light brown. Make the dove white, the horse white with a gray mane, the boat brown leather and the sea blue and green.
Why is there a dove in the picture?
Columba's name means dove. In Irish he is called Colum Cille, which means the dove of the church.
Why is there a white horse?
On the last day of Columba's life, the old white horse that carried the monastery's milk came and laid its head against him, as if it knew he was going to heaven. Columba told his helper to let it stay.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.