Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Dec 15 - St Venantius Fortunatus (535-605) poet and bishop of Poitiers
Summary : St Venantius Fortunatus is famous as the composer of Christian Latin hymns, such as Vexilla Regis Prodeunt ("The royal banners forward go") which have become part of the perennial Latin liturgical tradition.
He also had the reputation of having the gift of being a great troubadour. As a well-connected Christian gentleman, he provided security for Queen Radegund, Abbess Agnes and the nuns of Holy Cross Convent in Poitiers. In his later years he was elected bishop of Poitiers.
Early Life in Ravenna
Venantius was born near Treviso, north of Venice, and was educated in law, logic and rhetoric at Ravenna, then Italy's main city and a centre of Christian development. He almost lost his sight, but recovered through rubbing his eyes with oil from a lamp burning before an image of St Martin of Tours. (Please do not do this in your local Church!) In thanksgiving he went to visit the shrine of St Martin at Tours and was well-received in the great houses along the way. He repaid the hospitality he received with poems in praise of his hosts.
Not wanting to return to Italy, then war-torn by the invading Lombards, Venantius was fortunate (is that the origin of his second name?) in meeting with Queen Radegund, who was sheltering in the Holy Cross Monastery at Poitiers after her husband Clotaire had murdered her brother. The abbess and the queen both thought this civilised poet would make a good chaplain.
Ordained Priest
So he was ordained a priest and he moved in! The convent was comfortable: Radegund became a "mother" to him and the Abbess Agnes a "sister". Since Venantius had become familiar with the high officials of Church and State, his presence provided security for the monastery and its 200 nuns. He was deferential to the local bishop, Gregory of Tours, and wrote poems for public occasions.
His writings
In 567 the emperor Justinian II sent a relic of the true cross to Holy Cross Monastery. Venantius composed the great hymn Vexilla regis prodeunt ("The royal banners forward go") to celebrate the occasion. This was used in the liturgy of Passiontide and in celebrations of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He also composed Pange lingua gloriosi lauream certaminis ("Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle") which with its versicles of Crux fidelis ("Faithful cross") and Dulce lignum ("Sweet wood") has been sung in the Good Friday liturgy for centuries. Another beautiful hymn he composed is used for the Easter liturgy, Salve festa dies ("Hail festive day"). Among his other writings were prose and verse Lives of Saints.
Bishop of Poitiers
Around the year 600 Venantius was elected bishop of Poitiers, but not much is known of his short term of office.
He also had the reputation of having the gift of being a great troubadour. As a well-connected Christian gentleman, he provided security for Queen Radegund, Abbess Agnes and the nuns of Holy Cross Convent in Poitiers. In his later years he was elected bishop of Poitiers.
Early Life in Ravenna
Venantius was born near Treviso, north of Venice, and was educated in law, logic and rhetoric at Ravenna, then Italy's main city and a centre of Christian development. He almost lost his sight, but recovered through rubbing his eyes with oil from a lamp burning before an image of St Martin of Tours. (Please do not do this in your local Church!) In thanksgiving he went to visit the shrine of St Martin at Tours and was well-received in the great houses along the way. He repaid the hospitality he received with poems in praise of his hosts.Not wanting to return to Italy, then war-torn by the invading Lombards, Venantius was fortunate (is that the origin of his second name?) in meeting with Queen Radegund, who was sheltering in the Holy Cross Monastery at Poitiers after her husband Clotaire had murdered her brother. The abbess and the queen both thought this civilised poet would make a good chaplain.Ordained Priest
So he was ordained a priest and he moved in! The convent was comfortable: Radegund became a "mother" to him and the Abbess Agnes a "sister". Since Venantius had become familiar with the high officials of Church and State, his presence provided security for the monastery and its 200 nuns. He was deferential to the local bishop, Gregory of Tours, and wrote poems for public occasions.
His writings
In 567 the emperor Justinian II sent a relic of the true cross to Holy Cross Monastery. Venantius composed the great hymn Vexilla regis prodeunt ("The royal banners forward go") to celebrate the occasion. This was used in the liturgy of Passiontide and in celebrations of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He also composed Pange lingua gloriosi lauream certaminis ("Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle") which with its versicles of Crux fidelis ("Faithful cross") and Dulce lignum ("Sweet wood") has been sung in the Good Friday liturgy for centuries. Another beautiful hymn he composed is used for the Easter liturgy, Salve festa dies ("Hail festive day"). Among his other writings were prose and verse Lives of Saints.
Bishop of Poitiers
Around the year 600 Venantius was elected bishop of Poitiers, but not much is known of his short term of office.
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Music is God's gift to man,
the only art of Heaven given to earth,
the only art of earth we take to Heaven.
~ Walter Savage Landor ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 15th December, 2025
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Jesus shows the superior nature of his Divine authority.
A reading from the book of Numbers 24:2-7. 15-17
A star of Jacob takes the leadership.
Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel, encamped by tribes; the spirit of God came on him and he declaimed his poem. He said:
'The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,
The oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes, the oracle of one who hears the word of God.
He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
How fair are your tents, O Jacob! How fair your dwellings, Israel!
Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens by the banks of a river,
like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters!
A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples.
His king is greater than Agag, his majesty is exalted.'
Than Balaam declared his poem again. He said:
'The oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes,
the oracle of one who hears the word of God, of one who knows the knowledge of the the Most High.
He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
I see him - but not in the present, I behold him – but not close at hand:
a star from Jacob takes the leadership, a sceptre arises from Israel.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24: 4-5, 6. 7.8-9
Response Lord, make me know your ways.
1. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour. Response
2. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old.
In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. Response
3. The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path; he teaches his way to the poor. Response
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord will come, go out to meet him. Great is his beginning and his reign will have no end.
Alleluia!
Or Ps 84:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:23-27 Glory to you, O Lord.
John’s baptism: where did it come from?
Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the peoplecame to him and said, 'What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?'
'And I', replied Jesus, 'will ask you a question, only one;
If you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this.
John's baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?'
And they argued it out this way among themselves,
'If we say from heaven, he will retort, "Then why did you refuse to believe him?"
But if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.'
So their reply to Jesus was, 'We do not know.'
And he retorted, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Monday, 15th December, Third Week of Advent Matthew 21:23-27
At the end of today’s first reading we have one of the great prophecies of the coming ruler in Israel, God’s anointed one or Messiah,
‘A star from Jacob takes the leadership, a sceptre arises from Israel’. A sceptre is an ornamental staff carried by rulers on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of their sovereignty or royal authority. Jesus displayed royal authority but not in the way kings at the time normally did so. He used his authority to do God’s will on earth, to put right what was wrong, to bring God’s kingdom to earth.
That is how the risen Lord uses his authority today. He is always at work in our world to bring God’s kingdom to earth, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.
He wants to work through all of us, his disciples today. He shares his authority with us, in virtue of our baptism, so that, in the power of the Spirit, we can put right what is wrong, bringing life where there is death, light where there is darkness, truth where there is falsehood, and justice where it is denied.
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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: Monday, 15th December, 2025
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Uimh 24: 2-7
Faigheann réalta ó Iacób an cheannasaíocht.
D'ardaigh Balám a shúile agus chonaic Iosrael suite ina gcampa, treibh arthreibh.
Luigh spiorad Dé air agus chan sé a laoi, agus dúirt:
“Céalmhaine Bhalám mac Bheór, céalmhaine an té ar gruama é a radharc,
céalmhaine an té a chluineann briathar Dé.
Feiceann sé a dtugann an tUilechumhachtach dó le feiceáil;
faigheann sé freagra ó Dhia, agus osclaítear a shúile.
Nach álainn iad do bhothanna, a Iacóib! nach álainn iad d’áitribh, a Iosrael.
Is cuma iad nó gleannta a shíneann i gcéin, nó luibhghoirt ar insí abhann, nó crainn aló a chlannaigh an Tiarna,
nó crainn chéadrais láimh leis na huiscí!
[Tá laoch ag eascar as a síol agus ag rialú ar chiníocha gan áireamh.]
Is mó ná Agag a rí,agus uaisleofar a mhórgacht.
Deir Balám arís;
“Céalmhaine Bhalám mac Bheór, céalmhaine an té ar gruama é a radharc,
céalmhaine an té a chluineann briathar Dé, agus ar fios dó eolas an Té is Airde.
Feiceann sé a dtugann an tUilechumhachtach dó le feiceáil;
faigheann sé freagra ó Dhia, agus osclaítear a shúile.
Feicim é – ach ní anois é; faighim radharc air – ach ní láimh liom é:
Faigheann réalta ó Iacób an cheannasaíocht; Éiríonn slat ríoga as Iosrael.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 24: 4-5, 6. 7.8-9
Freagra Táispeáin do shlite dom, a Thiarna.
I. Táispeáin do shlite dom, a Thiarna, agus téagasc dom do rianta.
Treoraigh mé i d'fhírinne agus téagasc mé, óir is tusa, a Dhia, mo Shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Ortsa a bhím ag feitheamh ar feadh an lae, mar gheall ar do chineáltas, a Thiarna.
Cuimhnigh ar do thrócaire, a Thiarna, agus ar do bhuanghrá atá ann ó na cianta.
Ná cuimhnigh ar chionta m'óige, ach amháin ar do bhuanghrá féin. Freagra
3. Is maith is is díreach é an Tiarna. Uime sin muineann tslí do na peacaigh.
Díríonn sé an fear umhal san fhíréantacht; múineann shlí don fhear umhal. 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 Matha 21:23-27 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Baisteadh Eoin, cárbh as dó? Ó Neamh nó ó dhaoine.
Bhí Íosa tar éis teacht isteach sa Teampall agus bhí sé ag teagasc nuair a tháinig uachtaráin na sagart agus seanóirí an phobail chuige agus dúirt siad:
“Cén t-údarás atá agat leis na nithe seo a dhéanamh,
agus cé thug an t-údarás sin duit?”
Dúirt Íosa leo á bhfreagairt:
“Agus tá aon cheist amháin agamsa le cur oraibhse, agus má thugann sibh an freagra dom, inseoidh mé daoibh ansin cén t-údarás atá agam leis na nithe seo a dhéanamh. Baisteadh Eoin, cárbh as dó? Ó neamh nó ó dhaoine?”
Ach bhí siad ag machnamh mar seo ina gcroí:
“Má deirimid: ‘Ó neamh,’ déarfaidh sé linn: ‘Cén fáth nár chreid sibh ann, mar sin?’
Ach má deirimid: ‘Ó dhaoine,’ tá eagla orainn roimh na daoine, mar tá meas fáidh acu uile ar Eoin.”
Agus is é freagra a thug siad ar Íosa: “Níl againn.”
Dúirt seisean leo mar an gcéanna: “Nílimse chun a insint daoibhse ach oiread cén t-údarás atá agam leis na nithe seo a dhéanamh.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
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/
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, 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 dhaoinego 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.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
