St. Odhran is remembered for assisting the great St. Columba in spreading monasticism throughout Iona and Scotland in the sixth century.

He was an abbot who led a monastery in Ireland, and who left his post to be among the 12 that Columba took with him when he sailed north to establish a monastery on Iona, an island off the coast of Scotland.

Soon after arriving, Odhran fell ill; sensing that death was near, he said, “I would be the first to die under the covenant of the kingdom of God in this place.” Columba replied, “I will give you that kingdom, and moreover, this also: that whoever makes a request at my burial-place shall not get it until they pray to you as well.”

Columba left the house, not wanting to see his friend die. When he looked up, he saw a vision of demons and angels fighting for Odhran’s soul, with the angels triumphing. His body was the first buried on Iona, and is still there in this chapel in the island’s only cemetery (photo by Keith Laverack).

St. Odhran, you died in your efforts to spread the faith in Iona and Scotland—pray for us!