Koncepcja świętości w noweli Pauli von Preradović pt. Die Versuchung des Columba
The Conception of Holiness in Paula von Preradović’s Novella Die Versuchung des Columba [The Temptation of Saint Columba]

Summary/Abstract: Paula von Preradović’s literary output consists mainly of poems, including the lyrics for the national anthem of Austria, Land der Berge, Land am Strome [Land of the mountains, land on the river] (1946/1947), but she also wrote several novellas, autobiographical sketches, small scenic works and journalistic texts, as well as one novel. This article investigates the conception of holiness in Preradović’s novella Die Versuchung des Columba. Saint Columba, the protagonist of the novella, was an Irish abbot and missionary. He is remembered today as a Catholic saint and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. The analysis focuses on the character of Columba, his behaviour, actions, development and the psychological stages he has gone through. Preradović explains her conception of holiness with the example of Columba’s life. She does not define holiness as infallibility, but primarily as integrity and a sense of responsibility for fellow men. The author describes it as that virtue by which one makes all one’s acts subservient to God. She ranks it among the infused moral virtues.

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