Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Apr 26 - Bl. Mary of the Incarnation (1566-1618)
Summary: Blessed Mary of the Incarnation was married in 1582 at sixteen. But when her husband died, she became a lay sister in the Discalced Carmelites. She became a friend of King Henry IV of France and his wife Marie de Médici who helped her to introduce the Discalced Carmelites to Paris. She attained the heights of mystical holiness.
Patrick Duffy tells some of what is known about her.
Married at Sixteen
Marie Avrillot was born in Paris in 1566. Although at the age of sixteen she wished to become a nun, her parents insisted that she marry Pierre Acarie, vicomte de Villemore, by whom she had seven children. In spite of her household duties and many hardships, she attained the heights of mystical holiness.
Brought the Discalced Carmelite Nuns to Paris
Under the influence of the writings of St Teresa of Avila, and after mystical contact with the saint herself, Marie spared no effort in introducing the Discalced Carmelite nuns to Paris, France. This she was able to achieve in 1604 with the help of King Henry IV of France and his wife, Marie de Médici.
Becomes a Lay Sister
After her husband’s death, she asked to be admitted among them as a lay sister, taking the name of Mary of the Incarnation; she was professed at the Carmel of Amiens in 1615. She was highly esteemed by some of the greatest men of her time, including St Francis de Sales: and she was distinguished by her holiness and spirit of prayer and her zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith.
She died at Pontoise on April 18, 1618.
Patrick Duffy tells some of what is known about her.
Married at Sixteen
Marie Avrillot was born in Paris in 1566. Although at the age of sixteen she wished to become a nun, her parents insisted that she marry Pierre Acarie, vicomte de Villemore, by whom she had seven children. In spite of her household duties and many hardships, she attained the heights of mystical holiness.Brought the Discalced Carmelite Nuns to Paris
Under the influence of the writings of St Teresa of Avila, and after mystical contact with the saint herself, Marie spared no effort in introducing the Discalced Carmelite nuns to Paris, France. This she was able to achieve in 1604 with the help of King Henry IV of France and his wife, Marie de Médici.
Becomes a Lay SisterAfter her husband’s death, she asked to be admitted among them as a lay sister, taking the name of Mary of the Incarnation; she was professed at the Carmel of Amiens in 1615. She was highly esteemed by some of the greatest men of her time, including St Francis de Sales: and she was distinguished by her holiness and spirit of prayer and her zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith.
She died at Pontoise on April 18, 1618.
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Memorable Saying for Today
Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church
~ Pope Francis ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 26th April, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter
This is Good Shepherd Sunday
A Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious life, Married and Single life.
It is a call to a life of service in the Church and a call to live the Gospel mission as a representative of Jesus wherever and whenever we are.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14. 36-41
God has made him both Lord and Christ.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice:
'The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.'
Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles,
'What must we do, brothers?'
'You must repent,' Peter answered 'and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.'
He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them,
'Save yourselves from this perverse generation'.
They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 22: 1-6. R/v1
Response The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or Alleluia!
1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. Response
2. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. Response
3. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Response
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 2:20-25
You have come back to the shepherd of your souls.
The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing it patiently when you are punished after doing your duty. This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 10:1-10 Glory to you, O Lord
I am the gate of the sheepfold
Jesus said:
'I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.'
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
'I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them
I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
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Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 26th April, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:14. 36-41
Rinne Dia Tiarna agus Meisias den Íosa seo.
Lá Cincise d’éirigh Peadar ina sheasamh i gcuideachta an Aon Duine Dhéag agus labhair leo de ghuth ard:“Bíodh a fhios go dearfa ag teaghlach Iosrael ar fad go ndearna Dia Tiarna agus Meisias den Íosa seo a chéas sibhseá ar chrois.”
Chuaigh an chaint sin go dtí an croí iontu agus dúirt siad le Peadar agus leis na haspail eile: “Cad atá le déanamh againn, a bhráithre?”
Agus d’fhreagair Peadar iad:
“Déanaigí aithrí,” ar seisean, “déantar gach duine agaibh a bhaisteadh in ainm Íosa Críost chun maithiúnas na bpeacaí agus glacfaidh sibh tabhartas an Spioraid Naoimh; mar is daoibhse agus do bhur gclann atá an gealltanas úd agus dóibh siúd freisin atá i bhfad ar shiúl – don uile dhuine dá nglaofaidh ár nDia chuige.”
Rinne sé mórán eile cainte ag áiteamh leo agus ag tathant orthu: “Sabháiligí sibh féin,” ar seisean leo, “ón nglúin chlaon seo.” An méid díobh a ghlac lena theachtaireacht, baisteadh iad agus cuireadh tuairim is trí mhíle duine lena líon an lá sin.
Briathar Dé. Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 22:1-6 , Rv.1.
Freagra Is é an Tiarna m'aoire; ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
1. Is é an Tiarna m'aoire; ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Cuireann sé i mo luí mé i móinear féaruaithne.
Seolann sé ar imeall an uisce mé, mar a bhfaighim suaimhneas. Freagra
2. Seolann sé mé ar rianta díreacha mar gheall ar a ainm.
Fiú dá siúlfainn i ngleann an dorchadais, níor bhaol liom an t-olc
agus tú faram le do shlat is do bhachall chun só1ás a thabhairt dom. Freagra
3. Cóiríonn tú bord chun béile dom i bhfianaise mo naimhde.
Ungann tú mo cheann le hola.;tá mo chupán ag cur thar maoil. Freagra
4. Leanfaidh cineáltas is fabhar mégach uile lá de mo shaol.
I dteach an Tiarna a mhairfidh mé go brách na breithe. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peader 2:20-25
Tá fillte ar ais agaibh ar aoire agus ar chaomhnóir bhur n-anama.
A clann ionúin, má dhéanann sibh an mhaith agus go bhfulaingíonn sibh dá bharr le foighne, tuilleann sin gnaoi Dé.
Óir is chuige seo a gairmeadh sibh, mar gur fhulaing Críost féin ar bhur son, agus gur fhág sé sampla agaibh le go leanfadh sibh a lorg. Ní dhearna seisean aon pheaca, ná ní bhfuarthas aon chealg ina bhéal. Nuair a caitheadh achasán leis níor chaith sé achasán ar ais; nuair a bhí sé ag fulaingt ní dhearna sé bagairt, ach d’fhág sé a chúis faoin té a thugann breith go cóir. D’iompair sé ár bpeacaí ina cholainn féin ar an gcrann d’fhonn go bhfaighimis bás dár bpeacaí ach go mairfimis don fhíréantacht. Trína chréachtaí a cneasaíodh sibh. Bhí sibh mar chaoirigh ar seachrán, ach tá fillte ar ais agaibh ar aoire agus ar chaomhnóir bhur n-anama.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Is mise an t-aoire maith,'a deir an Tiarna.
AithnÍm mo chaoirigh féin, agus aithníonn mo chaoirigh féin mé'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 10:1-10
Mise doras na gcaorach.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
“Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, an té nach dtéann an doras isteach i gcró na gcaorach, ach a théann a mhalairt de bhealach isteach, is bithiúnach é sin agus robálaí. An té a thagann an doras isteach, sin é aoire na gcaorach. Osclaíonn an doirseoir dó seo agus éisteann na caoirigh lena ghuth, agus glaonn sé ar a chaoirigh féin as a n-ainm, agus seolann amach iad. Nuair a bhíonn a chaoirigh uile seolta amach aige, téann sé rompu agus leanann a chaoirigh é, mar aithníonn siad a ghuth. Ní baol go leanfadh siad coimhthíoch, ach teithfidh siad uaidh mar nach n-aithníonn siad guth na gcoimhthíoch.”
Labhair Íosa an tsolaoid sin leo, ach níor thuig siadsan cad a bhí á rá aige leo. Ansin dúirt Íosa leo arís:
“Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, Mise doras na gcaorach. Gach ar tháinig romham, bithiúnaigh a ba ea iad agus robálaithe,agus níor éist na caoirigh leo.
Mise an doras. Más tríomsa a rachaidh duine isteach, slánófar é. Rachaidh sé isteach is rachaidh sé amach agus gheobhaidh sé féarach.
Ní thagann an bithiúnach ach chun bheith ag goid, ag marú agus ag milleadh. Tháinig mise chun go mbeadh an bheatha acu agus go mbeadh sí acu go fial."
Soiscéal Dé. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 3rd May, 2026
Fifth Sunday of Easter
No one can come to the Father except through Christ. Working together in love,
all God’s people can build up the kingdom in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our high priest.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
They elected seven men full of the Holy Spirit
About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution t
heir own widows were being overlooked. So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them,'It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food. You, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them, and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word'.
The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
The word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made their submission to the faith.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 32: 1-2. 4-5, 18-19. R/v 22
Response May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.
Or Alleluia!
1. Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. Response
2. For the word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love. Response
3. The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 2:4-9
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood
He is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood
that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house. As scripture says: See how I lay in Zion a precious cornerstone that I have chosen and the man who rests his trust on it will not be disappointed. That means that for you who are believers, it is precious; but for unbelievers, the stone rejected by the builders has proved to be the keystone, a stone to stumble over, a rock to bring men down. They stumble over it because they do not believe in the word; it was the fate in store for them.But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 14: 6
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus said: 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.'
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 14:1-12
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Jesus said to his disciples
'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.'Thomas said, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'
Jesus said:
'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.'Philip said, 'Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied'. 'Have I been with you all this time, Philip,' said Jesus to him 'and you still do not know me? ' 'To have seen me is to have seen the, Father, so how can you say, "Let us see the Father"? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
'I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself,
he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 3rd May, 2026
An Cúigiú Domhnach den Cháisc
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 6:1-7
Thogh siad seacht bhfear a bhí lán den Spiorad Naomh.
Sna laethanta sin, mar go raib líon na ndeisceabal ag méadú, thosaigh na Heilléanaigh ag casaoid ar na hEabhraigh faoi go raibh faillí á dhéanamh ar a mbaintreacha féin sa fhriothálamh laethúil. Dá chionn sin ghlaoigh an dáréag chucu na deisceabail go léir in éineacht agus labhair leo:“Ní dóigh linn,” ar siad, “go mba cheart dúinne briathar Dé a fhágáil chun dul ag freastal ag boird. Dá bhrí sin, a bhráithre, déanaigí seachtar fear creidiúnach agaibh féin a thoghadh, fir a bheidh lán den Spiorad agus den eagna, go gcuirfimis i mbun an chúraim seo. Agus leanfaimidne den urnaí agus de sheirbhís an bhriathair.”
Bhí an slua iomlán sásta leis an moladh sin agus roghnaigh siad na daoine seo a leanas: Stiofán, fear a bhí lán de chreideamh agus den Spiorad Naomh, Pilib agus Prochonór, Níocanór agus Tiomón, Parmanas agus Nioclás, léivíteach ó Aintíoch. Thug siad i láthair na n-aspal iad, agus tar éis dóibh sin urnaí a dhéanamh leag siad a lámha orthu.
De réir mar a leath briathar Dé, chuaigh líon na ndeisceabal in Iarúsailéim i méad as cuimse, agus ghlac buíon mhór de na sagairt féin leis an gcreideamh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 32: 1-2. 4-5, 18-19. R/v 22
Freagra Tabhair dúinn do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna,
de réir an dóchais a chuirimid ionat.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia,
I. Déanaigí gairdeas sa Tiarna, a fhíréana; is cóir go molfadh daoine dílse é.
Molaigí an Tiarna ar an gcruit, ceolaigí dó ar an gcláirseach dheichthéadach. Freagra
2. Óir is dílis é briathar an Tiarna, agus is iontaofa a obair uile.
Is ionúin leis an chóir is an ceart; tá an talamh lán de bhuanghrá an Tiarna. Freagra
3. Féach, tá súile an Tiarna ar lucht a eaglaithe, orthu sin a chuireann a ndóchas ina bhuanghrá,
chun go bhfuadódh sé a n-anamacha ón mbás, is go gcothódh sé iad in am an ghorta. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peadar 2:4-9
Is cine tofa sibh, sagartacht ríoga.
A clann ionúin, druidigí ina aice, os é an chloch bheo é dár dhiúltaigh daoine, ach ar tofa luachmhar i láthair Dé í; agus tógtar sibhse féin, faoi
mar ba bheochlocha sibh, in bhur n-áras spioradálta, le bheith in bhur sagartacht naofa le híobairtí spioradálta taitneamhacha a ofráil do Dhia trí Íosa Críost. Uime sin tá seo sa scrioptúr:“Féach, tá cloch á leagan agam i Síón, cloch chúinne thofa luachmhar. An té a chreidfidh inti, ní chuirfear díomá air.” Daoibhse dá bhrí sin a chreideann, is luachmhar í, ach dóibh siúd nach gcreideann: “An chloch dár dhiúltaigh na saoir, rinneadh ceann an chúinne di,” agus “ceap tuisle agus carraig scannail.” Baintear tuisle astu mar nach ngéilleann siad don bhriathar; agus is mar sin a bhí ceaptha dóibh.
Ach is cine tofa sibhse, sagartacht ríoga, muintir naofa, pobal a cuireadh ar leithrigh, le go bhfógródh sibh éachtaí an té sin a ghlaoigh as an dorchadas amach oraibh chun a sholais iontaigh féin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 14: 6
Alleluia, alleluia!
'Is mise an tSlí, an Fhírinne agus an Bheatha,' a deir an Tiarna:
'Ní thagann aon duine go dtí an tAthair ach tríomsa.'
Alleluia! alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 14:1-12 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Is cine tofa sibh, sagartacht ríoga.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
Ná bíodh buaireamh ar bhur gcroí:
creideann sibh i nDia; creidigí ionamsa leis. Is iomaí áras i dteach m’Athar. Mura mbeadh, d’inseoinn daoibh é.Óir táim ag dul ag cur áite i gcóir daoibh,
agus má théim agus áit a chur i gcóir daoibh,
tiocfaidh mé arís agus tógfaidh mé sibh chugam féin;
i dtreo, an áit ina mbeidh mise, go mbeidh sibhse chomh maith.
Tá eolas na slí agaibh mar a bhfuilim ag dul.”
Dúirt Tomás leis: “A Thiarna, ní eol dúinn cá bhfuil tú ag dul agus cén chaoi is féidir
dúinn eolas na slí a bheith againn?”
Dúirt Íosa leis:
“Is mise an tslí, an fhírinne agus an bheatha. Ní thagann aon duine go dtí an tAthair ach tríomsa. Dá mbeadh aithne agaibh ormsa, d’aithneodh sibh m’Athair chomh maith.
Tá aithne agaibh air feasta, agus tá radharc faighte agaibh air.”
Dúirt Pilib leis: “A Thiarna, taispeáin dúinn an tAthair agus is leor dúinn sin.”
Dúirt Íosa leis: “An bhfuilim an fad sin aimsire, a Philib, in bhur measc agus gan aithne agat orm? An té a chonaic mise, chonaic sé an tAthair. Conas, mar sin, a deir tú:‘ Taispeáin dúinn an tAthair’?
Nach gcreideann tú go bhfuilimse san Athair agus an tAthair ionamsa?
Na briathra a labhraímse libh, ní uaim féin a labhraím iad, ach an tAthair atá ina chónaí ionamsa, eisean a dhéanann na hoibreacha. Creidigí uaimse é go bhfuilimse san Athair agus an tAthair ionamsa. Nó murab é sin, creidigí mar gheall ar na hoibreacha féin.
Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, an té a chreideann ionamsa, na hoibreacha a dhéanaimse, déanfaidh seisean iad chomh maith, agus déanfaidh sé oibreacha is mó ná iad; mar táimse ag dul chun an Athar.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
