Saint vs. Nessie, a Dying Woman Denied a Priest & the Bishop’s Bear

Three extraordinary stories. Three moments when faith, duty, and the mysterious collide.

Did a Catholic saint encounter the creature later associated with the Loch Ness Monster? Could a parish secretary’s refusal prevent a dying woman from receiving a priest in her final hours? And why is St. Maximin of Trier traditionally shown with a bear carrying a bishop’s baggage?

In the first story, we travel to sixth-century Scotland and the life of St. Columba, the famous Irish missionary who brought the Gospel to the people of northern Britain. According to the ancient account written by St. Adomnán, Columba encountered a terrifying “water beast” near the River Ness. After learning that the creature had attacked a man, the saint sent one of his companions into the water. When the beast rushed toward him, Columba made the Sign of the Cross and commanded it in the name of God to go no farther. The creature immediately retreated. This remarkable episode is frequently connected with the later legend of the Loch Ness Monster—better known today as Nessie.

The second account is not about a legendary beast, but about a heartbreaking failure of Christian responsibility. A dying woman needed a priest, yet a parish secretary refused to send one. For Catholics, this is not a minor administrative mistake. When someone is near death, access to confession, absolution, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Communion, and the Apostolic Pardon can be spiritually urgent. No secretary, receptionist, volunteer, relative, or gatekeeper should casually stand between a dying soul and a priest. This disturbing story reminds us why requests for the Last Rites must always be treated seriously and passed directly to the clergy.

The third story concerns St. Maximin of Trier, an early bishop and courageous defender of the Catholic faith during the Arian crisis. According to the traditional legend, a bear attacked and killed the bishop’s packhorse while he was traveling. St. Maximin then subdued the animal and commanded it to carry the baggage that the horse had been carrying. This is why sacred art sometimes depicts the bishop accompanied by a bear bearing his traveling pack. The wild animal became a memorable symbol of creation brought into obedience and of the burdens carried by a faithful shepherd of the Church.

These stories range from ancient hagiography to a modern warning about the care of the dying, but each asks the same question: How do we respond when faith demands courage?

They also reveal why the lives and legends of the saints continue to fascinate believers. Behind every unusual detail is a deeper lesson about spiritual authority, responsibility toward suffering souls, and trust in God when the ordinary world suddenly becomes extraordinary.

Watch all three stories and tell me which one surprised you most: St. Columba confronting the River Ness beast, the dying woman denied a priest, or St. Maximin commanding the bear that killed his packhorse?

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Saint Columba of Iona remains one of the most fascinating figures in Scottish history. Learn about his legendary accounts from 565 AD.

This video examines the historical accounts surrounding Saint Columba and his time in Scotland. We look at the specific events of August 22nd, 565 AD, analyzing the records that describe him as a miracle worker. This content is designed for anyone interested in medieval history or the life of this influential religious figure.

By reviewing these primary sources, you will gain a clearer understanding of how Saint Columba was perceived during his lifetime. We break down the narrative surrounding his actions in Scotland to separate the legend from the context of 565 AD. This overview provides a focused look at the historical accounts that shaped his reputation as a miracle worker.

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