St. Odran served as the abbot of the Irish monastery of Tyfarnham in Meath. He later left Ireland with a band of 11 others to accompany the Irish missionary priest Saint Columba to the Scottish island of Iona where Columba opened the Iona monastic colony. Not long after their arrival, Odran predicted that he would be the first to die on the island. When Columba heard this, he said, “Whoever makes a request at my burial-place shall not get it until he prays to you, as well.” He gave Odran his blessing and left him. Soon, Columba experienced a vision of angels battling with demons as Odran’s soul was carried to heaven. Columba learned that Odran had, in fact, just died. Odran’s feast day is October 27.

Questions for Reflection:

• Who’s a friend in your life who would support you as Columba supported Odran? What aspects of your friendship show how close you are?
• How would you react if you sensed your own death? Who would you tell first? What would you do?