Columba MarmionBlessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923) was born in Dublin, Ireland. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Dublin, he subsequently discerned a call to the monastic life and entered the Abbey of Maredsous in Belgium. After profession, he served as assitant novice master at his monastery, and in 1899 was appointed Prior of Mont César in Louvain, where he taught theology to the young monks. He became widely regarded as a retreat master and traveled across western Europe serving religious communities of all orders in this capacity. In 1909 he was elected Abbot of Maredsous, and consequently returned to the monastery of his profession. His trilogy of Christ the Life of the Soul, Christ in His Mysteries, and Christ the Ideal of the Monk, based on retreat conferences, became extremely popular, were translated into many languages, and received praise from numerous Popes. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000. Read More Read Less