Churches of the Day

Dec 16 - St Adelaide of Burgundy (931-999) empress and foundress of monasteries & convents

Summary: St Adelaide of Burgundy. Possibly the most prominent European woman of the tenth century, her second marriage was to Otto the Great of Germany, the Holy Roman Emperor. She became regent for some time and later, and was the foundress of many monasteries of monks and nuns.

Patrick Duffy reminds us what is known about her.

First Marriage at Sixteen

The daughter of Rudulph II of Upper Burgundy, Adelaide was married at the age of sixteen to Lothair, who was then king of Italy. A daughter, Emma, was born of this marriage. Lothair was probably poisoned by his successor to the throne, Berengar. As part of Berengar's attempt to keep his grip on power, he ordered Adelaide to marry his son; she refused, and he imprisoned her in a castle. But soon after the German king, Otto the Great, defeated Berengar, and freed Adelaide and proposed marriage, which she accepted.

Second marriage
On Christmas Day 951 she married King Otto at Pavia. The marriage consolidated his authority in northern Italy, and in 962 they were crowned emperor and empress by Pope John XII in Rome. Otto died in 973 and for twenty years Adelaide's life was a turmoil of family and political troubles. Her daughter-in-law, the Byzantine princess Theophano turned her son Otto II against her. Adelaide had to leave the court and live for a time with her brother in Burgundy. A reconciliation was effected, and in 983 just before he died Otto appointed her his viceroy in Italy.

Struggles with Theophano, her daughter-in-law
Otto II died the same year, and the new emperor, her grandson Otto III, still a minor, was entrusted to the joint regency of his mother and grandmother. Theophano was able once again to oust Adelaide from power and the court. When Theophano died in 991 the regency reverted to Adelaide alone.

Helped by St Willigis
The bishop of Mainz, St. Willigis, came to her aid. After Otto came of age in 995, Adelaide was able to devote herself to works of generosity to the poor, to help in evangelising the Slavs and in founding and restoring monasteries and convents. She was especially friendly with the monastery of Cluny, then the centre of a movement for reform and with its abbots St. Majolus and St. Odilo. The latter wrote a memoir of her, calling her 'a marvel of beauty and goodness'.

Retirement
When Otto III was old enough, Adelaide retired to the convent of Seltz near Cologne, a house she had built. She never became a nun, but she spent the rest of her days there in prayer. Her feast is kept especially in many German dioceses.

St Adelaide was canonized in the year 1097
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Memorable Sayings for Today

Faith is to believe what we do not see;
and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.

~ St Augustine ~

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English
Gaelige

Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 16th December, 2025

Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

The poor and marginalised are given hope in Christ, the proud and overbearing are not.

FIRST READING

A reading from the prophet Zephaniah 3:1-2. 9-13
Messianic salvation is promised to all the poor in spirit

'Trouble is coming to the rebellious, the defiled, the tyrannical city!
She would never listen to the call, would never learn the lesson;
she has never trusted in the Lord, never drawn near to her God.

Yes, I will then give the peoples lips that are clean, so that all may invoke the name of the Lord
and serve him under the same yoke.

From beyond the banks of the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliant will bring me offerings. When that day comes you need feel no shame for all the misdeeds you have committed against me, for I will remove your proud boasters from your midst; and you will cease to strut on my holy mountain.

In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people
and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; and the perjured tongue will no longer be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb them.

The Word of the Lord.            Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm    Ps 33.6-7. 16. 18-19 R/v. 7
Response   This poor man called; the Lord heard him.

1. I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad. Response

2. Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. world waits

This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him
from all his distress. Response

3. The Lord turns his face against the wicked
to destroy their remembrance from the earth.
The just call and the Lord hears
and rescues them in all their distress. Response

4. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save.
The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants. Those who hide in him shall not be condemned. Response

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord will come to save his people. Blessed those who are ready to meet him.
Alleluia!

Or
Alleluia, alleluia!
Come Lord ! Do not delay. Forgive the sins of your people.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:28-32 Glory to you, O Lord.
John came to you, but you did not believe him, the tax collectors and prostitutes did.

leave everything

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people.
'What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first,
"My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today."
He answered, "I will not go", but afterwards thought better of it and went.

The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered,
"Certainly, sir", but did not go. Which of the two did the father's will?'
'The first' they said.
Jesus said to them,
'I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.'

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Gospel Reflection 16th Dec Tuesday Third Week of Advent Matthew 21:28-32

There are two parables about a father with two sons in the gospels, the better known one being in the gospel of Luke, the parable of the prodigal son, as it is often termed. The second one is today’s gospel reading from the gospel of Matthew. The son who initially said ‘no’ to his father’s request but then ‘thought better of it’ reminded Jesus of those who had appeared to say ‘no’ to God by their failure to keep the Law but responded generously to the preaching of both John the Baptist and Jesus. The son who initially said ‘yes’ to his father but didn’t follow through on it reminded Jesus of the chief priests and elders of the people who appeared to be saying ‘yes’ to God by keeping his Law but refused to take seriously either the preaching of John the Baptist or Jesus. Even when they saw prostitutes, tax collectors and others regarded as ‘sinners’ responding to the preaching of John and Jesus they refused to think better of their own stance towards John and Jesus.

When it comes to our relationship with God, Jesus implies that God does not take our ‘no’ as our final answer, but is always prepared to wait on us to think better of where we are. Indeed, the rest of the gospels suggests that God’s waiting on us is not a passive waiting. While waiting God is always actively drawing us to himself.

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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/ The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications, c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop /

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Liturgical Readings for: Tuesday, 16th December, 2025

CHÉAD LÉACHT

Sliocht as Leabhar Zafanaíah, faidh 3:1-2, 9-13.
Fágfaidh mé pobal bocht uiríseal i do lár agus lorgfaidh fuílleach Iosrael dídean in ainm an Tiarna.

Is mairg don chathair cheannairceach thruaillithe thíoránta!
Ní éisteann sí leis an teachtaireacht; ní ghlacann sí leis an teagasc;
ní chuireann sí a muinín sa Tiarna, agus ní thagann sí in ngar dá Dia.

“Is ea, tabharfaidh mé ansin beola glana do na ciníocha
chun go nglaofaidh cách ar ainm an Tiarna, agus chun go bhfónfaidh siad dó de thoil a chéile.

Ón taobh thall d’aibhneacha na Cúise tabharfaidh mo chuid adhraitheoirí, iad siúd a scaip mé, ofrálacha chugam.
Fuílleach Uiríseal Iosrael “An lá sin ní náireofar thú
as na drochghníomhartha ceannairceacha a rinne tú i m’aghaidh.
Mar tógfaidh mé as do lár ansin do chuid bladhmairí uaibhreacha;
agus uaidh sin amach ní bheidh tú ag siúl timpeall go toirtéiseach níos mó ar mo shliabh naofa. Fágfaidh mé pobal bocht uiríseal i do lár agus lorgfaidh fuílleach Iosrael dídean in ainm an Tiarna.

Ní dhéanfaidh siad aon éigeart, ní mó ná a inseoidh siad bréaga, agus ní bhfaighfear teanga chealgach ina mbéal.
Is ea, iníorfaidh siad agus ligfidh siad a scíth, agus ní chuirfidh aon duine isteach orthu feasta.

Briathar an Tiarna             Buíochas le Dia

Salm le Freagra   Sm 33.6-7. 16. 18-19 R/v. 7
Freagra    Nuair a scairt an t-ainniseoir seo d’éist an Tiarna.

1. Beannóidh mé an Tiarna i dtólamh beidh a mholadh i mo bhéal i gcónaí.
Bíonn m’anam ag déanamh mórtais as an Tiarna: éistfidh daoine ísle agus beidh áthas orthu.   Freagra

2. Féachaigí chuige agus loinnir oraibh world waits

’s ná bíodh luisne na náire in bhur leicne.
Nuair a scairt an t-ainniseoir seo d’éist an Tiarna, agus shaor sé óna chúngaigh go léir é. Freagra

3. Bíonn súile an Tiarna ar na fíréin agus tugann sé aird ar a n-achainí.
Éisteann an Tiarna nuair a ghlaonn na fíréin air: fuasclaíonn sé óna gcúngaigh go léir iad. Freagra

4. Bíonn an Tiarna i ngar don lucht coscartha agus tarrthaíonn sé an dream atá do-mheanmnach.
Fuasclaíonn an Tiarna anamacha a shearbhóntaí: ní dhaorfar a dtéann faoina choimirce. Freagra

Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia!
A spéartha, fearaigí anuas fíréantacht mar bheadh drúcht ann,
ligeadh na néalta anuas í ina báisteach!
Osclaíodh an talamh lena gabháil agus tagadh an slánú aníos ina gheamhar!
Alleluia!

SOISCÉAL

Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhata 21: 28-32          Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tháinig Eoin chugaibh agus níor chreid sibh ann; na poibleacánaigh, áfach, agus na striapacha, chreid siad ann.

San am sin dúirt Íosa le ne sagairt agus le seanóir an phobail:
“Ach bhur mbarúil air seo: Bhí beirt mhac ag duine. D’agaill sé duine acu ar dtús:
‘A mhic,’ ar seisean, ‘téighse inniu ag obair san fhíonghort.’
D’fhreagair sé é: ‘Tá go maith, a dhuine uasail,’ ar seisean; ach ní dheachaigh.

D’agaill sé an dara duine ar an gcuma chéanna, agus b’é a fhreagra seo: ‘Ní dhéanfaidh mé,’ ar seisean; ach ina dhiaidh sin tháinig aiféala air agus chuaigh. Cé acu den bheirt a rinne toil a athar?”
“An chéad duine,” ar siad.
Dúirt Íosa leo:
“Deirim libh go fírinnesch, tá tosach ag na poibleacánaigh agus ag na striapacha oraibhse isteach i ríocht Dé. Óir tháinig Eoin chugaibh ar shlí na fíréantachta agus níor chreid sibh ann; na poibleacánaigh, áfach, agus na striapacha,chreid siad ann;
agus cé go bhfaca sibhse é sin, níor bhuail an t-aiféala mall féin sibh chun go gcreidfeadh sibh ann.”

Soiscéal an Tiarna.       Moladh duit, a Chriost

AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart

English
Gaelige

Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 21st December, 2025

- 21-12-2025 -

Fourth Sunday of Advent - O Oriens

Our attention this final Week of Advent is directed fully to the coming of Christ in the Christmas mystery.
The Preface calls us to wonder at this great happening, to prepare for Christmas in prayer and praise.
he psalm tells us to purify our hearts, prayer and reconciliation are the tools for these days.

FIRST READING

A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 7:10-14
The maiden is with child.
The Lord spoke to Ahaz and said,
'Ask the Lord your God for a sign for yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above'.

'No,' Ahaz answered 'I will not put the Lord to the test.'

Then Isaiah said:
Listen now, House of David: are you not satisfied with trying the patience of men
without trying the patience of my God, too?
The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign.
It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call 'Emmanuel, ' a name which means “God is with us.”

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-6 R/v. 7. 10
Response Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.

1. The Lord's is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm. Response

2. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things. Response

3. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob. Response

SECOND READING

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 1:1-7
Jesus Christ, descendant of David, Son of God.

From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago through his prophets in the scriptures.

This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took was a descendant of David:
it is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead.

Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. You are one of these nations, and by his call belong to Jesus Christ.
To you all, then, who are God's beloved in Rome, called to be saints, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send grace and peace.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Mt 1:23
Alleluia, alleluia!
'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him
Emmanuel, a name which means 'God-is-with-us'.
Alleluia

The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 1:18-24 Glory to you, O Lord
Jesus is born of Mary who was betrothed to Joseph, son of David.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.'
Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him 'Emmanuel,' a name which means 'God-is-with-us'.

When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/

Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 21st December, 2025

-21-12- 2025-

AN CEATHRÚ DOMNACH DEN AIDBHINT, Blian A

CÉAD LÉACHT

Sliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia 7:10-14
Ta an óghbhean ag iompar.

Labhair an Tiarna le hÁchaz arís agus dúirt: “Iarr comhartha duit féin ar an Tiarna do Dhia, as duibheagáin Sheól aníos nó thuas in arda na spéartha.”
D’fhreagair Áchaz: “Ní iarrfaidh, níl mé chun dúshlán an Tiarna a thabhairt.”
Ansin dúirt sé:

“Éistigí mar sin, a theaghlach Dháiví, an é nach beag daoibh sárú ar dhaoine
go gcaithfidh sibh mo Dhia a shárú ina theannta sin?
Is é an Tiarna féin mar sin a thabharfaidh comhartha daoibh.
Seo, tá an ógbhean ag iompar agus ar tí mac a shaolú,
agus tabharfaidh sí Ímeánuéil mar ainm air. is é sin, “Tá Dia-linn.

Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia

Salm le Freagra Sm 23:1-6 R/v. 7. 10
Freagra Tagadh an Tiarna isteach! Is e Rí na glóire é.

I. Leis an Tiarna an chruinne agus a bhfuil inti: an domhan go léir agus a maireann ann.
Is é féin a bhunaigh ar an aigéan é, agus a dhaingnigh ar an bhfarraige íochtarach é. Freagra

2. Cé a rachaidh suas ar chnoc an Tiarna? Cé a bheidh ina sheasamh ar a láthair naofa?
An té a bhfuil lámha gan smál agus croí glan aige, an té ar beag air nithe gan tairbhe. Freagra

3. Beidh beannacht an Tiarna ar an té sin agus luach saothair ó Dhia a shlánaitheoir.
A leithéid siúd a bhíonn á lorg, a bhíonn ar thóir Dhia Iácób. Freagra

DARA LÉACHT

Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 1:1-7
Íosa Críost, de shliocht Dháivi, Mac Dé.

Mise Pól, searbhónta Íosa Críost, a bhfuil glaoite air chun bheith ina aspal atá dealaithe amach chun dea-scéal Dé. An dea-scéal seo, a gheall Dia roimh ré trína chuid fáithe sna scríbhinní naofa,
is faoina Mhac féin é, ár dTiarna Íosa Críost. Rugadh eisean sa mhéid gur duine é de shliocht Dháiví: ach sa mhéid gur spiorad na naofachta é tá sé oirnithe i gcumhacht mar Mhac do Dhia ó aiséirí dó ó mhairbh. Is trídsean a fuair mise grásta an aspail chun géillsine an chreidimh a leathadh ar son a ainm i measc na náisiún uile. Orthusan chomh maith tá sibhse a bhfuil glaoite oraibh chun bheith ina sheilbh ag Íosa Críost. Chugaibhse go léir sa Róimh, más ea, a bhfuil grá ag Dia daoibh agus a bhfuil glaoite oraibh chun bheith in bhur bpobal naofa aige, guím grásta agus síocháin ó Dhia ár nAthair agus ón TiarnaÍosa Críost.

Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia.

Alleluia! Mth 1:23
Alleluia, alleluia!
Beidh an mhaighdean torrach agus béarfaidh si mac agus bhéarfar
Emmanúél mar ainm air -ainm a chiallaionn 'Tá-Dia-linn'.
Alleluia!

SOISCÉAL

Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 1:18-24 Glóir duit a Thiarna.
Seasfaidh flaitheas Dháivi go daingean i la’thair an Tiarna.

Seo mar a tharla Íosa Críost a shaolú.
Bhí Muire, a mháthair, luaite le Iósaef, agus sula ndearnadar aontíos, fuarthas torrach í ón Spiorad Naomh. Dhuine cóir a fear céile Iósaef, ach níorbh áil leis go dtabharfaí míchlú di, agus chinn sé í a scaoileadh uaidh os íseal. Ag machnamh ar an méid sin dó, áfach, thaispeáin aingeal ón Tiarna é féin do I mbrionglóid agus dúirt:
“A Iósaef, a mhic Dháiví, ná bíodh eagla ort do bhean chéile Muire a thabhairt abhaile leat, óir, an leanbh atá gafa aici, is ón Spiorad Naomh é. Béarfaidh sí mac, agus tabharfaidh tú Íosa mar ainm air, óir slánóidh sé a phobal óna bpeacaí.”
Thit an méid sin go léir amach chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúirt an Tiarna tríd an bhfáidh:
“Beidh an mhaighdean torrach agus béarfaidh sí mac
agus tabharfar 'Imeánuéil' mar ainm air”– ainm a chiallaíonn:'Tá Dia linn.'

Dhúisigh Iósaef agus d’éirigh, agus rinne mar d’ordaigh aingeal an Tiarna dó: a bhean a thabhairt abhaile leis. Ach ní raibh cuid aige di nó gur rug sí mac, agus thug sé Íosa mar ainm air.

Churches of the Day

Pictorial Thought for Today

Dec 16 - St Adelaide of Burgundy (931-999) empress and foundress of monasteries & convents