Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Photo by Hilary MusgraveJul 9 - The Chinese Martyrs (2) (1648-1930)
Summary and Homily for the Chinese Martyrs: This is a slightly abbreviated version of a homily delivered by Father Li on October 29th. 2000 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, to mark the canonisation of one hundred and twenty Chinese martyrs on October 1st. Father Li is still active as a curate in St Margaret's Parish, Hong Kong. Father
Peter Barry MM translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Chinese Martyrs
'If the world hates you, realise that it has hated me before you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also' (Jn 15:18-20). The Church always grows in the midst of persecution. The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians. This is why the Church in China has been growing.
Honoured and happy
I feel very honoured to be able to give testimony about the martyrs in my own family and home town. They were really martyrs for the faith. I am happy also because the Chinese government gave so much publicity to the event. This caused everyone in Hong Kong, and throughout the world, to be aware that the Catholic Church was organising a canonization ceremony. Curiosity was aroused among those who heard the news, and they asked questions like: What is a canonisation? Who are being canonised? Why are they being canonised? And why are people opposed to their canonisation?
Martyrdom
Martyrdom means to witness to one's faith and even to sacrifice one's life for it. For example, during the Boxer Revolution of 100 years ago, if you had been ordered to support the Qing Dynasty government and you were killed for not doing so, this would not be looked upon as martyrdom. However, the Boxers ordered the missionaries and the Christians to renounce their faith. They were killed because they refused to do so. This is called martyrdom.
During the persecutions in the year 1900, in Shanxi Province, the names of 2,418 Christians were reported to the Vatican as having given their lives for their faith. In Taiyuan City 69 persons were martyred for the Lord. Of these, only 26 were canonised last year on October 1st. The 69 martyrs gave their lives on three different days: July 9th, 12th and 14th. Two lay women died on July 12th, and 39 Catholics died on July 14th. Among them were my grandfather, Li Zhongyi, and an uncle, Li Shiyan. Three more were seriously wounded, including my father, Li Shiheng.
What follows is the testimony of the experiences of my mother and my father at that time.
Mother's Testimony
My mother reported:
'At about four o'clock on the afternoon of July 9th, just as we were reciting our prayers, we suddenly heard beautiful music coming from the heavens. We had never heard such music before. Suddenly, we saw an orderly row of large white banners coming towards us from Taiyuan City. When the banners passed over our heads the music got louder and more pleasant to the ear. Everyone clasped their hands on their hearts and knelt down. We began to encourage one another, and to think that this was surely a sign that the bishops and priests had already given their lives for their faith.
'Sure enough, the next day a band of soldiers came to our place, and announced that the bishops and others had been killed. Then we all thought that the time had arrived for us to give up our lives for our faith. We all began to prepare ourselves by continuously reciting prayers.
'After a little while a soldier shouted at us: Do you deny your religion or not? Not a sound was heard in response. The soldier then shouted an order that two of the older Christian women should be strung up in the garden. He did this to arouse a fear of death in the hearts of the younger women. The two older women were not in the least afraid. They continually encouraged the younger ones, saying, Young ladies, don't be afraid; now the gate of heaven is open; quickly prepare yourselves to ascend into heaven!
'On July 12th. some officials returned, and tried to frighten us into denying our faith. Again they were met with dead silence. 'Then the officials took down the two older women, who had been strung up, and brought them outside. In a little while they brought in two bowls of blood, and told us that it was the blood of the two women whom they had killed. They did not kill us, but sent us back to the Church.'
Father's Testimony
My father's report:
'On July 14th, Yuxian, the Governor of Shanxi Province, issued an order: All male Christians who are not willing to deny their faith must gather near the North Gate. When the Catholics heard this order they became very excited, and their hearts were filled with joy. They all began marching towards the appointed place. On the way they supported and encouraged one another. My grandfather was one of these fervent Catholics. As soon as he heard the order, he said to my fifteen-year-old father and my uncle, Let's go. We are going to heaven today! Li then said goodbye to his family and began walking towards the place of martyrdom. From their home to the appointed place was only about a twenty-minute walk, but they had to pass through some winding streets.
'When they arrived at the place of martyrdom, many Catholics had already gathered there. Most people knew one another. The place was not very large and the Christians were many. Each one was barely able to find space for himself. Everyone knelt down in a very composed manner and they began to recite their favourite prayers.
Helping the executioner
'According to the custom of the time, the men wore the pigtail. To make it easier for the executioner to kill them, each one brought the pigtail forward over their heads and held it in front of them with their hands. They also bent their backs forward and stretched their necks out as far as they could so that there was enough room for the sword to strike them cleanly.
'They waited for over three hours in the morning, but there was no sign of the executioners. The Christians began to become agitated. Was it possible they would be denied the crown of martyrdom? Then, about noon, a band of executioners, led by some soldiers, arrived at the place. The volume of the Christians' prayers grew louder. And they stretched their necks even straighter.
'At the sound of the command, Kill, the executioners began swinging their swords wildly.
Narrow escape
'My grandfather and my uncle were kneeling along the path of the square. Their heads were swiftly and cleanly severed from their bodies. It so happened that my father was kneeling next to a large rock. Therefore, when the sword came down, most of it struck the rock, and it only cut open some flesh on his neck. His throat was not damaged. 'Because the Christians were many, the executioners did not pay close attention as to whether the heads of everyone had been separated from their bodies. In this way my father was denied the privilege of seeing God face to face, as my grandfather and uncle did.
'The swordsmen had executed only about 10% of the Christians when the commander gave the order to stop the killing. The soldiers and executioners began to return to their barracks. The Catholics who had survived were very disappointed. They blocked the executioners' withdrawal, beseeching them to kill them also. But nothing could be done. The order had already been given. The executioners would not wield their swords again. The Christians fell into each other's arms weeping.
'My grandfather and my uncle were among the 39 martyred for the faith that day.
'My father was wounded, but survived. He would later recall, When the sword of the executioner came down upon my neck, the only thing I felt was the coldness of it. Then I lapsed into unconsciousness. I lay in a pool of blood for two days and two nights. I do not know how much blood I lost.
Good Samaritan
'On the morning of the third day, i.e. July 16th, a non-Christian was passing by and he noticed a slight movement among the corpses. He went closer and saw that it was someone he knew. Then he heard my father whisper, I am thirsty.
'Then this goodhearted man, realising that he had lost a lot of blood, took some rainwater from a puddle in a piece of broken crockery and, drop by drop, poured it onto his lips. He then ran to my grandmother to report that her son was still alive. She brought him to live temporarily in another village located about ten miles from the city.
'No medicine was applied to my father's wound, nor did the family have any money for injections or to buy pills. My grandmother just entrusted my father to God's care. God will arrange everything, she thought. Miraculously the wound closed and became completely healed. Later when my father narrated the story of his near-martyrdom to others, he always said: From the time I received my wound up until it was completely healed, I never felt any pain. Doesn't that prove that God is always with me?'
Conclusion
Hearing about the experiences of the martyr-saints causes us to feel that what Saint Paul wrote was right: 'No creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord' (Romans 8:39). Through the intercession of the martyr-saints of China, let us ask the Lord to help us to follow their example and to witness to the Gospel in our daily lives by loving God and loving others.
May God bless you!
Postscript
The above article is a slightly abbreviated version of a homily delivered by Father Li on October 29th. 2000 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, to mark the canonisation of a hundred and twenty Chinese martyrs on October 1st.
Happily, Father Li is still active as a curate in St Margaret's Parish, Hong Kong.
We are indebted to Father Peter Barry MM who translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Editor.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (May 2001), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
Peter Barry MM translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Chinese Martyrs'If the world hates you, realise that it has hated me before you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also' (Jn 15:18-20). The Church always grows in the midst of persecution. The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians. This is why the Church in China has been growing.
Honoured and happy
I feel very honoured to be able to give testimony about the martyrs in my own family and home town. They were really martyrs for the faith. I am happy also because the Chinese government gave so much publicity to the event. This caused everyone in Hong Kong, and throughout the world, to be aware that the Catholic Church was organising a canonization ceremony. Curiosity was aroused among those who heard the news, and they asked questions like: What is a canonisation? Who are being canonised? Why are they being canonised? And why are people opposed to their canonisation?
Martyrdom
Martyrdom means to witness to one's faith and even to sacrifice one's life for it. For example, during the Boxer Revolution of 100 years ago, if you had been ordered to support the Qing Dynasty government and you were killed for not doing so, this would not be looked upon as martyrdom. However, the Boxers ordered the missionaries and the Christians to renounce their faith. They were killed because they refused to do so. This is called martyrdom.
During the persecutions in the year 1900, in Shanxi Province, the names of 2,418 Christians were reported to the Vatican as having given their lives for their faith. In Taiyuan City 69 persons were martyred for the Lord. Of these, only 26 were canonised last year on October 1st. The 69 martyrs gave their lives on three different days: July 9th, 12th and 14th. Two lay women died on July 12th, and 39 Catholics died on July 14th. Among them were my grandfather, Li Zhongyi, and an uncle, Li Shiyan. Three more were seriously wounded, including my father, Li Shiheng.
What follows is the testimony of the experiences of my mother and my father at that time.
Mother's Testimony
My mother reported:
'At about four o'clock on the afternoon of July 9th, just as we were reciting our prayers, we suddenly heard beautiful music coming from the heavens. We had never heard such music before. Suddenly, we saw an orderly row of large white banners coming towards us from Taiyuan City. When the banners passed over our heads the music got louder and more pleasant to the ear. Everyone clasped their hands on their hearts and knelt down. We began to encourage one another, and to think that this was surely a sign that the bishops and priests had already given their lives for their faith.
'Sure enough, the next day a band of soldiers came to our place, and announced that the bishops and others had been killed. Then we all thought that the time had arrived for us to give up our lives for our faith. We all began to prepare ourselves by continuously reciting prayers.
'After a little while a soldier shouted at us: Do you deny your religion or not? Not a sound was heard in response. The soldier then shouted an order that two of the older Christian women should be strung up in the garden. He did this to arouse a fear of death in the hearts of the younger women. The two older women were not in the least afraid. They continually encouraged the younger ones, saying, Young ladies, don't be afraid; now the gate of heaven is open; quickly prepare yourselves to ascend into heaven!
'On July 12th. some officials returned, and tried to frighten us into denying our faith. Again they were met with dead silence. 'Then the officials took down the two older women, who had been strung up, and brought them outside. In a little while they brought in two bowls of blood, and told us that it was the blood of the two women whom they had killed. They did not kill us, but sent us back to the Church.'
Father's Testimony
My father's report:
'On July 14th, Yuxian, the Governor of Shanxi Province, issued an order: All male Christians who are not willing to deny their faith must gather near the North Gate. When the Catholics heard this order they became very excited, and their hearts were filled with joy. They all began marching towards the appointed place. On the way they supported and encouraged one another. My grandfather was one of these fervent Catholics. As soon as he heard the order, he said to my fifteen-year-old father and my uncle, Let's go. We are going to heaven today! Li then said goodbye to his family and began walking towards the place of martyrdom. From their home to the appointed place was only about a twenty-minute walk, but they had to pass through some winding streets.
'When they arrived at the place of martyrdom, many Catholics had already gathered there. Most people knew one another. The place was not very large and the Christians were many. Each one was barely able to find space for himself. Everyone knelt down in a very composed manner and they began to recite their favourite prayers.
Helping the executioner
'According to the custom of the time, the men wore the pigtail. To make it easier for the executioner to kill them, each one brought the pigtail forward over their heads and held it in front of them with their hands. They also bent their backs forward and stretched their necks out as far as they could so that there was enough room for the sword to strike them cleanly.
'They waited for over three hours in the morning, but there was no sign of the executioners. The Christians began to become agitated. Was it possible they would be denied the crown of martyrdom? Then, about noon, a band of executioners, led by some soldiers, arrived at the place. The volume of the Christians' prayers grew louder. And they stretched their necks even straighter.
'At the sound of the command, Kill, the executioners began swinging their swords wildly.
Narrow escape
'My grandfather and my uncle were kneeling along the path of the square. Their heads were swiftly and cleanly severed from their bodies. It so happened that my father was kneeling next to a large rock. Therefore, when the sword came down, most of it struck the rock, and it only cut open some flesh on his neck. His throat was not damaged. 'Because the Christians were many, the executioners did not pay close attention as to whether the heads of everyone had been separated from their bodies. In this way my father was denied the privilege of seeing God face to face, as my grandfather and uncle did.
'The swordsmen had executed only about 10% of the Christians when the commander gave the order to stop the killing. The soldiers and executioners began to return to their barracks. The Catholics who had survived were very disappointed. They blocked the executioners' withdrawal, beseeching them to kill them also. But nothing could be done. The order had already been given. The executioners would not wield their swords again. The Christians fell into each other's arms weeping.
'My grandfather and my uncle were among the 39 martyred for the faith that day.
'My father was wounded, but survived. He would later recall, When the sword of the executioner came down upon my neck, the only thing I felt was the coldness of it. Then I lapsed into unconsciousness. I lay in a pool of blood for two days and two nights. I do not know how much blood I lost.
Good Samaritan
'On the morning of the third day, i.e. July 16th, a non-Christian was passing by and he noticed a slight movement among the corpses. He went closer and saw that it was someone he knew. Then he heard my father whisper, I am thirsty.
'Then this goodhearted man, realising that he had lost a lot of blood, took some rainwater from a puddle in a piece of broken crockery and, drop by drop, poured it onto his lips. He then ran to my grandmother to report that her son was still alive. She brought him to live temporarily in another village located about ten miles from the city.
'No medicine was applied to my father's wound, nor did the family have any money for injections or to buy pills. My grandmother just entrusted my father to God's care. God will arrange everything, she thought. Miraculously the wound closed and became completely healed. Later when my father narrated the story of his near-martyrdom to others, he always said: From the time I received my wound up until it was completely healed, I never felt any pain. Doesn't that prove that God is always with me?'
Conclusion
Hearing about the experiences of the martyr-saints causes us to feel that what Saint Paul wrote was right: 'No creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord' (Romans 8:39). Through the intercession of the martyr-saints of China, let us ask the Lord to help us to follow their example and to witness to the Gospel in our daily lives by loving God and loving others.
May God bless you!
Postscript
The above article is a slightly abbreviated version of a homily delivered by Father Li on October 29th. 2000 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, to mark the canonisation of a hundred and twenty Chinese martyrs on October 1st.
Happily, Father Li is still active as a curate in St Margaret's Parish, Hong Kong.
We are indebted to Father Peter Barry MM who translated Father Li's homily into English.
The Editor.
This article first appeared in The Messenger (May 2001), a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 9th July, 2026
Thursday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
Saints of the Day: 9 July; St Augustine Zhao Rong (d. 1815) & many other Chinese martyrs .
C/f A short life of these saints can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Hosea 11:1-4. 8-9
My heart recoils from it.
Thus says the Lord:
When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.
But the more I called to them, the further they went from me;
they have offered sacrifice to the Baals and set their offerings smoking before the idols.
I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms;
yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them.
I led them with reins of kindness, with leading-strings of love.
I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek;
stooping down to him I gave him his food.
My heart recoils from it, my whole being trembles at the thought.
I will not give rein to my fierce anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man:
I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 79: 2-3. 15-16. R/v4
Response Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.
1. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might O Lord, come to our help. Response
2. God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 94: 8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Harden not your hearts today' but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Alleluia!
or Mk 1: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand, repent and believe the Good News.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 10:7-15 Glory to you, O Lord
You received without charge, give without charge.
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows:
'And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils.
You received without charge, give without charge.
Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.
'Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave.
As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it;
if it does not, let your peace come back to you.
And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet.
I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.'
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
********************
Gospel Reflection Thursday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 10:7-15
There is a very motherly image of God in today’s first reading from the prophet Hosea. Speaking through the prophet, God says to Israel, ‘I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek; stooping down to him I gave him his food.’ It is language suggestive of a mother’s care for her infant child. The quality of God’s love is such that it needs to be expressed in the imagery of both motherly and fatherly love. The best of a father’s love and the best of a mother’s love give us a glimpse into the nature of God’s love. Jesus was the fullest revelation of God’s love possible. He speaks of his searching love as like that of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep and a woman searching for her lost coin. He speaks of the kingdom of God as like a farmer who sows a mustard seed in the soil and a woman who took yeast and mixed it in with three measures of flour. There is a male and female dimension to the kingdom of God.
In the gospel reading, Jesus sends out the twelve to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God is close at hand. They are to give expression in their ministry to both dimensions of the kingdom of God; they are to reveal God’s motherly and fatherly love. Such love will show itself especially in their care for the sick and vulnerable. The Church needs to find new ways of expressing the male and female character of God and of God’s kingdom. It is only men and women working together in ministry who can begin to give adequate expression to the love of God spoken of by Hosea in our first reading.
________________________________
The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Gospel Reflection is available with our thanks from Reflections on the Weekday Readings : My Words Will Not Pass Away by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookstore
________________
Saints of the Day: 9 July; St Augustine Zhao Rong (d. 1815) & Companions, Martyrs,
Diocesan priest Augustin Zhao Rong (1746-1815) is one of 120 people martyred in China between 1648 and 1930. The 87 Chinese include children and parents, catechists and seminarians, and four priests. The 33 Europeans were missionary bishops, priests and religious. Noted for their steadfast faith before their cruel persecution.
CanonisationOn 1 October 2000, Pope John Paul II canonised 120 Catholics martyred in China between 1648 and 1930. Of these, 87 were indigenous Chinese and 33 were missionaries; 86 died during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Three were indigenous Chinese priests - Frs Augustine Zhao Rong, Joseph Yuan and Thaddeus Liu. Others were lay catechists, seminarians, widows and young women, farmers, servants and cooks.
Patrick Duffy looks at the different periods of contact of Christianity with Chinese culture and records some of the details of the martyrdoms.
Early Attempts to Evangelise China
Nestorian Christianity was first preached in China in the 5th century and lasted for about two centuries. A second Christian presence was established during the Mongol times when Franciscan missionary John of Montecorvino (1247-1328) was named archbishop of Beijing but disappeared after about 40 years when the the Ming dynasty came to power in 1368.
Jesuit Matteo Ricci and the Chinese Rites (16th century)
In 1552, St Francis Xavier died on the island of Shangchuan before he actually reached the mainland of China. Thirty years later the Italian Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci arrived in Macao, then under Portuguese influence, and began learning Chinese. By 1598 he was in Beijing and through his love and respect for Chinese customs as well as his expertise in astronomy and mathematics, he had obtained a position of influence at the Imperial Court.
Some Chinese, influenced by Ricci's Christian spirit, asked for baptism and became fervent Christians, while preserving their Chinese identity and culture. Christianity was not seen as opposed to Chinese values, but as enriching them with a new dimension. The Jesuits allowed participation in traditional Chinese ritual celebrations in honour of the ancestors.
Pope Clement XI (Giovanni Francesco Albani, 1700-21), prompted by the Dominicans, Franciscans and Augustinians denounced these Chinese Rites as pagan and forbade Catholics to take part. Emperor K'ang Hsi became angry. The result was that some missionaries and faithful lay people were killed, and many churches destroyed. But the Christian presence remained. Ricci died in Beijing in 1610.
First Wave of Persecutions
In 1648 Manchu Tartars who were hostile to Christianity invaded the region of Fujian and beheaded a Dominican priest Francis Fernández de Capillas, while he recited the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
Second Wave of Persecutions (18th century)
Towards the middle of the eighteenth century another five Spanish missionaries, who who worked in China between 1715-1747, were put to death as a result of a new wave of persecution that started in 1729 and broke out again in 1746. This was in the epoch of the Emperor Yung-Cheng and of his son, K'ien-Lung.
Those killed were: Dominican Bishop Peter Sans i Yordà martyred at Fuzou in 1747, and four Dominican priests Francis Serrano, Joachim Royo, John Alcober and Francis Diaz, all killed on 28th October 1748.
Third wave of persecution (early 19th century, 1805-60)
The third wave of persecution of Christianity took place in the early years of the nineteenth century. While Catholicism had been authorised by some Emperors, Emperor Kia-Kin (1796-1821) published decrees against it. The first was issued in 1805. Two edicts of 1811 were directed against those among the Chinese who were studying to receive sacred orders, and against priests who were propagating the Christian religion.
The following is an account of the martyrs of that period:
Peter Wu, a Chinese lay catechist. Born of a pagan family, he received baptism in 1796 and passed the rest of his life proclaiming the Christian religion. All attempts to make him apostasise were in vain. He was sentenced and strangled on 7 November 1814.
Joseph Zhang Dapeng, a lay catechist, and a merchant. Baptised in 1800, he evangelised in the city of Kony-Yang. He was imprisoned, and strangled on 12 March 1815.
Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Society was put to death in 1815.
Fr Augustine Zhao Rong, a Chinese diocesan priest. He had been a soldier who had escorted Monsignor Dufresse from Chengdu to Beijing, and was moved by his patience and asked to be baptised; he was then sent to the seminary and then ordained a priest. Arrested, he suffered the most cruel tortures and died in 1815.Fr John da Triora OFM was put in prison together with others in the summer of 1815, condemned to death, and strangled on 7 February 1816.
Fr Joseph Yuan, a Chinese diocesan priest. Greatly influenced by Mgr Dufresse, Joseph was baptised and ordained and preached Christianity in various districts. Arrested in August 1816 and strangled on 24 June 1817.
Vincentian priest Fr Francis Regis Clet set out for China in 1791 and for thirty years evangelised three provinces of the Chinese Empire: Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan. Betrayed by a Christian, arrested, imprisoned, he was tortured and strangled on 17 February 1820.
Fr Thaddeus Liu, a Chinese diocesan priest. Condemned to death and strangled on 30 November 1823.
Chinese lay catechist Peter Liu. He was arrested in 1814 and condemned to exile in Tartary, where he remained for almost twenty years. Returning to his homeland he was again arrested, and was strangled on 17 May 1834.
Chinese lay catechist Joachim Ho. He was baptised aged twenty. In the great persecution of 1814 he was tortured and sent into exile in Tartary, where he remained for almost twenty years. Returning to his homeland he was arrested again and refused to apostasize. Following that, the death sentence was confirmed by the Emperor, and he was strangled on 9 July 1839.
Paris Foreign Missionary priest Fr Augustus Chapdelaine went to China in 1852. He arrived in Guangxi at the end of 1854. Arrested in 1856, he was tortured, condemned to death in prison, and died in February 1856.
Chinese layman Laurence Bai Xiaoman, an unassuming worker. He joined Fr Chapdelaine in the refuge that was given to the missionary and was arrested with him and brought before the tribunal. Nothing could make him renounce his religious beliefs. Beheaded on 25 February 1856.
Agnes Cao Guiying, a widow, born into an old Christian family. She was dedicated to the instruction of young girls who had recently been converted by Fr Chapdelaine. Arrested, imprisoned and executed on 1 March 1856.
Three catechists, known as the Martyrs of MaoKou (in the province of Guizhou) were killed on 28 January 1858, by order of the Mandarin of MaoKou: Jerome Lu Tingmei, Laurence Wang Bing, Agatha Lin Zao. All three were asked to renounce Christianity. They refused and were beheaded.
Two seminarians and two lay people, one of whom was a farmer, the other a widow who worked as a cook in the seminary, suffered martyrdom together on 29 July 1861. They are known as the Martyrs of Qingyanzhen (Guizhou): Seminarians Joseph Zhang Wenlan and Paul Chen Changpin, along with John Baptist Luo Tingying, a layman, and Martha Wang Luo Mande, a laywoman.
In the following year, on 18 and 19 February 1862, another five people gave their life for Christ. They are known as the Martyrs of Guizhou: Fr John Peter Neel, a priest of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, and four lay catechists - Martin Wu Xuesheng, John Zhang Tianshen, John Chen Xianheng, and Lucy Yi Zhenmei.
The Opium War: reprieve from persecution
Political events towards the end of this period caused a reprieve in the persecution of Christians. In June 1840, the Imperial Commissioner of Guangdong, wishing to abolish the opium trade that was being conducted by the British, had more than twenty thousand chests of this drug thrown into the sea. This was the pretext for war, which was won by the British. When the war came to an end, China had to sign in 1842 the first international treaty of modern times, followed quickly by others with America and France. At this time, France replaced Portugal as the power protecting the missions. And subsequently a twofold decree was issued: one part in 1844 which permitted the Chinese to follow the Catholic religion; the other, in 1846, with which the old penalties against Catholics were abolished.
From then on the Church could more openly carry out its missionary activity, developing it also in the sphere of higher education, in universities and scientific research. Closer links were gradually established between the Church and China with its rich cultural traditions. So this was an era of expansion in Christian evangelising until the period of the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1900), when there was a push for the re-instatement of Chinese values. This resulted in the martyrdom of more missionaries and many Catholic Chinese.
Persecutions Associated with the Boxer Rebellion (1900)
The following groups - mostly of the Franciscan family - were martyred at this period and afterwards:
a) The Martyrs of Shanxi, killed on 9 July 1900, who were Franciscan Friars Minor: these were two Franciscan bishops - Bishops Gregory Grassi and Francis Fogolla, two priests - Frs Elias Facchini and Theodoric Balat, and one religious brother, Brother Andrew Bauer.
b) The Martyrs of Southern Hunan, who were also Franciscan Friars Minor: Bishop Anthony Fantosati, and Fathers Joseph Mary Gambaro and Cesidio Giacomantonio, martyred around the same time.
c) There were also seven Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, three of whom were French, two Italian, one Belgian, and one Dutch: Sisters Mary Hermina of Jesus (Irma Grivot), Mary of Peace (Mary Ann Giuliani), Mary Clare (Clelia Nanetti), Mary of the Holy Birth (Joan Mary Kerguin), Mary of Saint Justus (Ann Moreau), Mary Adolfine (Ann Dierk), and Mary Amandina (Paula Jeuris).
d) There were also eleven secular Franciscans, all Chinese: five of these were seminarians: John Zhang Huan, Patrick Dong Bodi, John Wang Rui, Philip Zhang Zhihe, John Zhang Jingguang; six others were laymen, catechists, servants and labourers: Thomas Shen Jihe, Simon Qin Cunfu, Peter Wu Anbang, Francis Zhang Rong, Matthew Feng De, Peter Zhang Banniu.
e) Other Chinese lay faithful were: James Yan Guodong, farmer, James Zhao Quanxin, manservant, Peter Wang Erman, cook.
f) Four French Jesuit missionaries and at least 52 Chinese lay Christians: men, women and children – the oldest of them being 79 years old, while the youngest were aged only nine years all suffered martyrdom in the month of July 1900.
The Jesuits priests were: Fathers Leo Mangin, Paul Denn, Rémy Isoré, Modeste Andlauer,
The Chinese lay Christians were as follows: Mary Zhu born Wu (aged about 50 years), Peter Zhu Rixin (19), John Baptist Zhu Wurui (17), Mary Fu Guilin (37), Barbara Cui born Lian (51), Joseph Ma Taishun (60), Lucy Wang Cheng (18), Mary Fan Kun (16), Mary Chi Yu (15), Mary Zheng Xu (11), Mary Du born Zhao (51), Magdalene Du Fengju (19), Mary du born Tian (42), Paul Wu Anjyu (62), John Baptist Wu Mantang (17), Paul Wu Wanshu, aged 16, Raymond Li Quanzhen, (59), Peter Li Quanhui (63), Peter Zhao Mingzhen (61), John Baptist Zhao Mingxi (56), Teresa Chen Tinjieh (25), Rose Chen Aijieh (22), Peter Wang Zuolung (58), Mary Guo born Li (65), Joan Wu Wenyin (50), Zhang Huailu (57), Mark Ki-T'ien-Siang (66), Ann An born Xin (72), Mary An born Guo (64), Ann An born Jiao (26), Mary An Linghua (29), Paul Liu Jinde (79), Joseph Wang Kuiju, aged 37, John Wang Kuixin (25), Teresa Zhang born He (36), Lang born Yang (29), Paul Lang Fu (9), Elizabeth Qin born Bian (54), Simon Qin Cunfu (14), Peter Liu Zeyu (57), Ann Wang (4), Joseph Wang Yumei (68), Lucy Wang born Wang (31), Andrew Wang Tianqing (9), Mary Wang born Li (49), Chi Zhuze (18), Mary Zhao born Guo (60), Rose Zhao (22), Mary Zhao (17), Joseph Yuan Gengyin (47), Paul Ge Tingzhu (61), and Rose Fan Hui (45).
Alberic Crescitelli was a priest of the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions of Milan (PIME), who carried out his ministry in Southern Shanxi. He was martyred on 21 July 1900.
Two Salesians in 1930
Some years later, two members of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco were added to the martyrs recorded above: Bishop Louis Versiglia and Father Callistus Caravario were killed together on 25 February 1930 at Li-Thau-Tseul.
Still today there is evidence of the “imprisoned and tortured martyr bishops José Fan Zhonglian and Cosme Shi Enxiang, who spent 14 years under house arrest until their death,” and that of Jaime Su, “disappeared since 2003 and of whom it is not known whether he is alive or dead.” If he were still alive, “he would be about to turn 90 years old and would have spent most of his life deprived of his freedom.”
We all need to pray for God's help with Christians bearing witnesses to the Lord in China.
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Memorable Quote for Today
“We came here to exercise charity and
to shed our blood for the love of Jesus Christ, if that needs be.”
It was.
~Saint Marie Hermine~
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Liturgical Readings for: Thursday, 9th July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Hóséa, Fáidh 11:1-4. 8-9
In bhur measc is mé an Té is naofa.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Nuair a bhí Iosrael ina naíonán, bhí grá agam dó, agus ghlaoigh mé mo mhac as an Éigipt.
Ach ina dhiaidh sin féin is mise a mhúin siúl d’Eafráim;
thógainn suas i mo bhaclainn iad, ach níor aithin siad gur mise a bhí ag tabhairt aire dóibh.
Bhínn á dtarraingt chugam féin le srianta daonna,
le téada grá chun iad a mhuirniú, mar a dhéanfadh duine a d’ardódh naíonán chun a leicinn;
agus chromainn síos chucu chun rud le hithe a thabhairt dóibh.
Cad é mar a thabharfainn suas thú, a Eafráim!
Cad é mar a thréigfinn thú, a Iosrael!
Nach beag a thabharfadh orm íde Admá a imirt ort, agus tú a dhéanamh cosúil le Zabóím!
Ach ní bhfaighinn ó mo chroí a dhéanamh mar gur ghabh trua duit mé.
Ní ligfidh mé amach ort mo racht feirge; ní scriosfaidh mé Eafráim go deo, óir ní duine mé ach Dia.
In bhur measc is mé an Té is naofa, agus ní thiocfaidh mé chugaibh le teann feirge.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Ps 79: 2-3. 15-16. R/v4
Freagra Taispeáin dúinn do ghnúis ghrianmhar,
agus slánaigh sinn, a thiarna
1. Éist linn, a aoire Iosrael, I do shuí ar na ceiribíní duit bí ag taitneamh
Corraigh do chumhacht, a Thiarna; a Thiarna, tar chugainn dár sábháil. Freagra
2. Cas ar ais, a Dhia na slua, breathnaigh anuas ó neamh, agus féach,
tabhair cuairt ar an bhfíniúin seo agus caomhnaigh í,
óir phlandaigh do dheaslámh féin í. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 10: 7-15 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
In aisce a fuair sibh; tugaigí uaibh in aisce.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena aspail:
“In bhur mbóthar daoibh, bígí á fhógairt go bhfuil ríocht na bhflaitheas in achmaireacht.
Leigheasaigí lucht tinnis, tógaigí na mairbh, glanaigí na lobhair, caithigí amach na deamhain.
In aisce a fuair sibh; tugaigí uaibh in aisce.
Ná cuirigí chugaibh ór ná airgead geal ná airgead rua in bhur gcrios, ná tiachóg chun an bhóthair, ná an dá léine, ná cuaráin ná bata; mar tá an fear oibre i dteideal a choda.
“Cibé cathair nó baile a rachaidh sibh isteach ann,
cuirigí fiafraí ar dhuine geanúil ann, agus fanaigí aige sin nó go mbeidh sibh ag fágáil.
Beannaígí romhaibh isteach ansin, agus más fiú an teach é tagadh bhur síocháin anuas air; mura fiú, filleadh bhur síocháin oraibh.
Duine ar bith nach nglacfaidh sibh agus nach n-éistfidh le bhur mbriathra, gabhaigí amach as an teach nó as an gcathair sin agus croithigí an deannach de bhur gcosa.
Deirim libh go fírinneach, is saoire a bheidh ag talamh Shodom agus Ghomorá lá an bhreithiúnais ná ag an gcathair sin.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 12th July, 2026
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 55:10-11
The rain makes the earth give growth.
Thus says the Lord:
As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 64: 10-14 R/v Luke 8:8
Response Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.
1. You care for the earth, give it water, you fill it with riches.
Your river in heaven brims over to provide its grain. Response
2. And thus you provide for the earth; you drench its furrows,
you level it, soften it with showers, you bless its growth. Response
3. You crown the year with your goodness. Abundance flows in your steps,
in the pastures of the wilderness it flows. Response
4. The hills are girded with joy, the meadows covered with flocks,
the valleys are decked with wheat. They shout for joy, yes, they sing. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:18-23
The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons.
I t
hink that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons. It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God; but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God.From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 1 Sam 3: 9,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!
or Mt 11: 25
Alleluia, alleluia!
The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower;
whoever finds this seed will remain for ever.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13:1-23
A sower went out to sow.
Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.
He said,'Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!'
Then the disciples went up to him and asked, |
'Why do you talk to them in parables?'
'Because' he replied 'the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but they are not revealed to them. For anyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. The reason I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. So in their case this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled:
You will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive.
For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes,
for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and
be healed by me.
'But happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.
'You, therefore, are to hear the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path. The one who received it on patches of rock is the man who hears the word and welcomes it at once with joy. But he has no root in him, he does not last; let some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, and he falls away at once. The one who received the seed in thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this world and the lure of riches choke the word and so he produces nothing. And the one who received the seed in rich soil is the man who hears the word and understands it; he is the one who yields a harvest and produces now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.'
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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Shorter form
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13:1-9
A sower went out to sow.
Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.
He said,'Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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, 12th July, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh 55:10-11
Cuireann an bháisteach eascar sa talamh.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Mar a thagann báisteach agus sneachta anuas ó na spéartha
agus nach bhfilleann suas ar ais gan an talamh a fhliuchadh, gan fás agus eascar a chur ann, chun go dtuga sé síol don síoladóir agus arán le hithe, is amhlaidh don bhriathar a théann as mo bhéal, ní fhilleann orm gan toradh, gan an rud a b’áil liom a dhéanamh agus mo bheart a chur I gcrích.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 64: 10-14
Freagra Thit an síol ar an talamh maith agus thug toradh uaidh.
1. Tugann tú cuairt ar an talamh, á uisciú. Méadaíonn tú a mhaoin.
Sceitheann abhainn Dé thar bruacha d'fhonn arbhar a sholáthar dó. Freagra
2. Is mar sin a ullmhaíonn tú an talamh ag tabhairt uisce dá chlaiseanna.
Déanann tú é a bhogadh Ie ceathanna. Beannaíonn tú a gheamhar. Freagra
3. Cuireann tú barr ar an mbliain le d'fhéile go mbíonn do chéimeanna ag sileadh le méathras
agus féarach an fhásaigh ar sileadh. Freagra
4. Tá na cnoic arna gcrioslú Ie gairdeas, tá na móinéir líonta de thréada.
Tá na gleannta faoi bhrat arbhair: tógann siad gártha agus canann Ie háthas. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:18-23
Tá an dúlra féin ag tnúth go díocasach le foilsiú chlann Dé.
A bhráithre, measaim nach fiú le háireamh pianta na huaire seo le hais na glóire atá le foilsiú dúinn. Mar tá an dúlra féin ag tnúth go díocasach le foilsiú chlann Dé. Cuireadh an dúlra freisin ó rath, ní dá dheoin féin ach mar gheall ar an té úd a chuir ó rath é, ach i ndóchas; mar fuasclófar an dúlra féin ó dhaoirse na truaillitheachta, chun saoirse ghlórmhar chlann Dé. Is eol dúinn go ráibh an chruthaíocht go léir le chéile go dtí anois ag cneadach le tinneas mar a bheadh sí ar a leaba luí seoil.Agus ní hé an dúlra amháin atá amhlaidh ach sinne féin chomh maith; cé go bhfuil céadtorthaí an Spioraid againn cheana féin, táimidne ag cneadach freisin inár gcroí istigh agus sinn ag feitheamh le go ndéanfar clann dínn,agus go mbeidh ár gcorp fuascailte.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa 1Sam 3:9 Eo 6: 68
Alleluia, alleluia!
Labhair, a Thiarna, tá do sheirbhíseach ag éisteacht. Is agatsa atá briathra na beatha síoraí
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 13:1-23 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Chuaigh an síoladóir amach ag cur an tsíl...
Tháinig Íosa amach as an teach an lá sin agus chuaigh ina shuí cois na farraige, agus tháinig sluaite chomh mór sin le chéile ag triall air go ndeachaigh sé isteach i mbád agus gur shuigh inti, agus an slua go léir ina seasamh ar an gcladach. Agus rinne sé mórán cainte leo i bparabail.Dúirt: “Chuaigh an síoladóir amach ag cur an tsíl. Agus sa síolchur dó, thit cuid den ghrán le hais an bhóthair, agus tháinig an éanlaith á ithe suas. Thit cuid eile de ar na creaga, áit nach raibh mórán ithreach ann dó, agus nuair nach raibh an ithir dhomhain aige, d’eascair sé gan mhoill. Ar éirí don ghrian, áfach, loisceadh é, agus d’fheoigh sé de cheal fréimhe. Cuid eile fós de, thit sé i measc an deilgnigh, agus d’fhás an deilgneach aníos agus phlúch é. Ach bhí cuid eile de a thit ar an talamh maith agus thug sé toradh uaidh, toradh faoi chéad in áit, faoi sheasca in áit eile, faoi thríocha in áit eile. A té a bhfuil cluasa air, éisteadh sé!”
Tháinig na deisceabail chuige á rá: “Cén fáth ar i bparabail atá tú ag caint leo?”
Dúirt sé leo á bhfreagairt:
“Is é fáth é, mar tá sé tugtha daoibhse eolas a bheith agaibh ar rúndiamhra ríocht na bhflaitheas, ach níl sé tugtha dóibh siúd. Óir, duine ar bith a mbíonn ní aige, tabharfar dó agus beidh fuílleach aige; ach duine ar bith a bhíonn gan ní, fiú amháin a mbíonn aige bainfear de é. Agus sin é an fáth a bhfuilim ag caint i bparabail leo, mar feiceann siad gan feiceáil agus cluineann siad gan cloisteáil agus gan tuiscint. Agus sin mar atá á comhlíonadh iontu an tairngreacht a rinne Íseáia:
‘Beidh sibh ag cloisteáil go deimhin ach ní thuigfidh sibh, beidh sibh ag breathnú go deimhin, ach ní fheicfidh sibh,
óir chuaigh croí an phobail seo chun raimhre, d’éist siad le cluasa bodhránta, d’iaigh siad a súile,
d’eagla go mbeadh radharc na súl acu, ná clos na gcluas, ná tuiscint an chroí,
agus go n-iompóidís agus go leigheasfainn iad.’ “
Ach is méanar do bhur súilese mar go bhfeiceann said agus do bhur gcluasa mar go n-éisteann siad. Deirim libh go fírinneach, b’é ba mhian le mórán fáithe agus fíréan na nithe a fheiceáil a fheiceann sibhse agus ní fhaca siad iad, agus na nithe a chloisteáil a chluineann sibhse agus níor chuala siad iad.”
“Sibhse mar sin, éistigí le parabal an tsíoladóra. Duine ar bith a chluineann briathar na ríochta agus nach dtuigeann é, tagann Fear an Oilc agus sciobann sé leis an ní a cuireadh ina chroí: agus sin é an duine a ghlac an síol le hais an bhóthair. An duine a ghlac an síol ar na creaga, sin é an duine a chluineann an briathar agus a ghabhann chuige le háthas é láithreach, ach ní bhíonn fréamh aige ann féin, ach é neamhbhuan; an túisce is a thagann trioblóid nó géarleanúint mar gheall ar an mbriathar, cliseann air. An duine a ghlac an síol sa deilgneach, sin é an duine a chluineann an briathar, ach go mbíonn cúram an tsaoil agus mealladh an tsaibhris ag plúchadh an bhriathair agus fágtar gan toradh a thabhairt é. Ach an duine a ghlac an síol ar an talamh maith, sin é an duine a chluineann an briathar agus a thuigeann é; agus tugann sé sin toradh uaidh gan teip, faoi chéad nó faoi sheasca, nó faoi thríocha de réir mar a bhíonn.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Soiscéal gearr
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 13:1-9
Chuaigh an síoladóir amach ag cur an tsíl...
Tháinig Íosa amach as an teach an lá sin agus chuaigh ina shuí cois na farraige, agus tháinig sluaite chomh mór sin le chéile ag triall air go ndeachaigh sé isteach i mbád agus gur shuigh inti, agus an slua go léir ina seasamh ar an gcladach.Agus rinne sé mórán cainte leo i bparabail.
Dúirt: “Chuaigh an síoladóir amach ag cur an tsíl. Agus sa síolchur dó, thit cuid den ghrán le hais an bhóthair, agus tháinig an éanlaith á ithe suas. Thit cuid eile de ar na creaga, áit nach raibh mórán ithreach ann dó, agus nuair nach raibh an ithir dhomhain aige, d’eascair sé gan mhoill. Ar éirí don ghrian, áfach, loisceadh é, agus d’fheoigh sé de cheal fréimhe. Cuid eile fós de, thit sé i measc an deilgnigh, agus d’fhás an deilgneach aníos agus phlúch é. Ach bhí cuid eile de a thit ar an talamh maith agus thug sé toradh uaidh, toradh faoi chéad in áit, faoi sheasca in áit eile, faoi thríocha in áit eile. A té a bhfuil cluasa air, éisteadh sé!”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
