The Rule of St Columcille

Live alone in a separate place near a city, if your conscience can find nothing in common with a crowd. Be transparent in the work of imitating Christ.
[Whatever you possess of anything, whether clothes or food, or drink, it should be at the command of

the senior and at his or her disposal. It is not appropriate for a religious to have any distinction of property with their sister or brother.]
Be enclosed if you can. Have a friend, or a few friends to converse with of God and the scriptures; to visit you on festivals and solemnities; to strengthen you in the promises of God and the reading of the scriptures. Do not admit a person who wants to talk in idle words, or talk about the world; or who murmurs at what they cannot prevent and would only distress you, but give them your blessing should they [deserve] it. Submit to every rule that promotes devotion. [obedience] Have a mind prepared for red martyrdom (that is death for the faith) and fortified and steadfast for white martyrdom (that is asceticism). Forgiveness from the heart for everyone. Constant prayers for those who trouble you. Fervor in saying the Office for the Dead, as if everyone was a particular or special friend. Hymns for souls to be sung standing. Let your vigils be constant from evening to evening and under the direction of another person. [obedience] There are three divisions in the day: PRAYER, WORK AND READING. Further, the work is to be divided into three parts: your own prescribed [given] work that is, the work of the place as regards its true needs; secondly your share of your sister or brothers work; and lastly, to help your neighbours by instruction, or writing, or sewing garments, or whatever they are in need or want of, because the Lord says, You shall not appear before me empty-handed. Everything in its proper order for no one is crowned except the one who has contended lawfully. Give alms before all things. Do not eat until you are hungry. Do not sleep until you are tired. Do not speak except on business.

If you have extra food or clothes, give it to your sisters or brothers in need, or to the poor. Love God with all your heart and all your strength and your neighbour as yourself. Abide in the promises of God throughout all times, in or out of season. Pray until tears come. _______________________________________________ A LEGEND OF COLUMCILLE

The Legend of the Book of Glass

An angel sent to Columcille from heaven held in his hand a Book of Glass, regarding the appointment of kings. Having received the Book from the hand of the angel, the saint, at his command, began to read it; and when he was reluctant to appoint Aidan, king of Dalriada, as the book directed, the angel suddenly stretching out his hand struck the saint with a scourge, the livid marks of which remained in his side for all the days remaining in his life. And he said: Know for certain, that I am sent to you by God, and with the Book of Glass, that in accordance with the words you have read therein, you may anoint Aidan into the kingdom of Dalriada.

Speaking generally, we ought to be aware that inasmuch as the purpose of the Spirit in the Prophets, and the Word in the Apostles of Christ, is to conceal and not plainly disclose the thoughts of the Truth confusion arises again and again through the mere wording, and no close sequence of thought is preserved the object being that those unworthy may not (to the judgment of their own soul) discover the things which are thus, for their [own] good, concealed from them.
The Philocalia of Origen