New Statement of Purpose

We encourage you to read and consider this new statement of our purpose, and especially to consider if you can contribute to our work and are called to join us. While founding a teaching community is central to the purpose of the Fellowship, we want our readers to understand that we encourage people who are not called to community life to join and contribute in other ways, as well.

The Fellowship of St Columbanus’s mission: toward a renewal of Catholic education for the

Cassiodorus, from the frontispiece to Gesta Theodorici, 1177. By Fulda workshop - Leiden, University Library, Ms. vul. 46, fol. 2r leidenuniv.nl, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10492904

formation of the whole person and sustainable communities. We believe in the restoration of education to the classical model formulated by Boethius and Cassiodorus, including an emphasis on the Great Books and the Great Conversation. But more than curriculum, the traditional values of education must be restored: that the goal of knowledge is wisdom, not pragmatic gain; that all learning must be ordered to the Good, the True, and the Beautiful; and above all that our work is ultimately for the service of God.

“The wisdom of the ancient world, enshrined in Greek and Roman literature, and the truly memorable teaching of ancient peoples, served, surely, to herald the dawn of the Gospel which Gods Son, “the judge and teacher of grace and truth, the light and guide of the human race,” (Tertullian, Apol. 21: Migne, FL 1, 294.) proclaimed on earth. Such was the view of the Church Fathers and Doctors. In these outstanding literary monuments of antiquity, they recognized man’s spiritual preparation for the supernatural riches which Jesus Christ communicated to mankind “to give history its fulfillment.”( Ephesians 1, 10.) Thus the inauguration of Christianity did not mean the obliteration of man’s past achievements. Nothing was lost that was in any way true, just, noble and beautiful.” - St John XXIII in Veterum Sapientia

To these ends, members of the Fellowship should be willing to work for the renewal of education at any level, whether in their current jobs or careers, or in founding new institutions, or in supporting good educational practice monetarily, in writing, or in whatever way they are able. This work extends beyond the classroom to the defense of reasonable tuition and living wages for instructors.

“But the Church, not content with pointing out the remedy, also applies it. For the Church does her utmost to teach and to train men, and to educate them and by the intermediary of her bishops and clergy diffuses her salutary teachings far and wide. She strives to influence the mind and the heart so that all may willingly yield themselves to be formed and guided by the commandments of God. It is precisely in this fundamental and momentous matter, on which everything depends that the Church possesses a power peculiarly her own. The instruments which she employs are given to her by Jesus Christ Himself for the very purpose of reaching the hearts of men, and drive their efficiency from God. They alone can reach the innermost heart and conscience, and bring men to act from a motive of duty, to control their passions and appetites, to love God and their fellow men with a love that is outstanding and of the highest degree and to break down courageously every barrier which blocks the way to virtue.” - Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum

Boys going to a monastic school, Bolognes manuscript of Degretum Gratiani, 14th century. By unbekannter Bologneser Miniaturist - UB Leipzig, Rep. II 9b (CCXLIII), fol. 200v, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27407121

At its core, The Fellowship of St Columbanus has a lay Benedictine charism, which means living a life of stability, praying the Hours, and ordering our lives according to the spirit of St Benedict’s Rule. We do not conceive of education as something which happens in schools, separate from life. Rather, we seek to create a holistic pattern of life, geared toward learning, which conserves and grows the tradition, conserves and grows its people and families, and conserves and grows their land for their children and grandchildren. This mission is academic, teaching students, catechetical, teaching the faithful, and apostolic, teaching the world.

If you are interested in adding your name to our mailing list, or in becoming a fellow worker with us, please email us via our contact page.