Disputing Columbanus’s Heritage: The Regula cuiusdam patris

This chapter examines the Regula cuiusdam patris, a Columbanian monastic Rule from the seventh century, in the context of the disputes sourrounding Columbanus’s legacy that arose following his death. It provides an analysis of the—unique—theological program of the Regula cuiusdam patris, which dismisses the idea of a salvific effect of paenitentia and the notion of the monastery as a sacred space. A comparison with Columbanus’s own rules and Jonas of Bobbio’s Vita Columbani forms the basis for ascribing the Regula cuiusdam patris either to the monks rebelling against Athala of Bobbio or to Agrestius and his followers.The chapter provides an English translation of the Rule as an appendix.