Fintán of Taghmon
Iona monastery
#### Iona monastery

Fintán arrived in Scotland in 579 A.D. He was said to be assisted by two wolves in guarding his sheep.

In 597, Fintán resolved to go to Í (now called [Iona](/wiki/Iona "Iona")) to join the monastery there under [St. Columba](/wiki/Columba "Columba"). Just before his departure, news reached him that St. Columba had died and that [St. Baithen](/wiki/Baith%C3%A9ne_mac_Br%C3%A9naind "Baithéne mac Brénaind") had succeeded him. Undeterred, Fintán made the journey and applied to St. Baithen for reception into the community. Munnu responded "humbly" as St. Baithen made the customary inquiries into his background.Walsh, Thomas: *History Of The Irish Hierarchy, With The Monasteries Of Each County, Biographical Notices Of The Irish Saints, Prelates, And Religious.* pages 710\-711\. D. \& J. Sadlier \& Co., New York, 1854\. However, when Munnu requested to be admitted as a monk, Baithen replied:

> " I thank my God, that you are come to this place; but this you must know: that you cannot be a monk of ours." Fintan much afflicted at these words said; "Is it that I am unworthy of being one?" "No" answered Baithen, "but, although I should be very glad to keep you with me, I must obey the orders of my predecessor Columba, who some time ago said to me in the spirit of prophecy; Baithen remember these words of mine; immediately after my departure from this life, a brother, who is now regulating his youthful age by good conduct, and well versed in sacred studies, named Fintan, of the race of MocuMoie, (74\) and son of Failchan, will come to you from Ireland (Scotia) and will supplicate to be reckoned among the monks. But it is predetermined by God, that he is to be an abbot presiding over monks, and a guide of souls. Do not therefore let him remain in these islands of ours, but direct him to return in peace to Ireland (Scotia), \- that he may there establish a monastery in a part of Leinster not far from the sea, and labour for the good of souls."


How did St. Baithen respond to Fintán's request to join the community?