Bishop Philip writes…
The feast of St. Columba next Tuesday reminds us to thank God for the evangelisation of our land. From the monastery Columba founded at Iona, large tracts of Scotland and northern England were eventually converted to Christianity. Later the monks produced the amazing Book of Kells (pictured), a lavishly decorated manuscript containing the four Gospels. Famous for its unparalleled, intricate Celtic artwork, it is considered a masterpiece of medieval illumination. Viking invasions in the ninth century caused the monks to flee Iona and settle at the Abbey of Kells in County Meath. The manuscript, today kept safely and displayed in Trinity College Dublin, is said to be Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure.
Meanwhile, welcome to e-News Issue 535 (2026/19) for Tuesday 2nd June 2026. The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and you might wish to recite each day the Litany of the Sacred Heart with its 33 invocations, one for each year of life of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless you with His love during these summer days.
With all good wishes and an assurance of my prayers,
In Corde Iesu
+Philip
Bishop of Portsmouth
[Image: Trinity College Dublin]
