Comgall of Bangor, abbot. Down diocese. 602

Comgall was the founder and first abbot of Bangor Abbey, said to have been the largest monastery in Ireland, with as many as three thousand in the community at one period. Comgall visited Columba in Iona and worked closely with him in spreading the Gospel. Columbanus was trained at Bangor before setting out on his missionary journeys to Europe. There was a strong family-spirit in the community life at Bangor. Counselling, as well as instruction, was an important part of the training. To Comgall is attributed the saying, "A man without a soul-friend is a body without a head."

We pray for universities and schools
We remember the work of the Church of Ireland Theological College and all who have responsibility for training candidates for the Church's ministry. S.

Almighty God,
you raised your Son to be Lord of light and Saviour of our race
and to your saints have given wondrous grace:
We praise you for holy and learned Comgall
whose scholarship made this land
a bright shining light in ages of darkness:
Pour out your Spirit to renew your Church in Ireland
making it once again a land of saints and scholars,
and bringing glory to your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.