Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
May 11 - St Cathal of Taranto (7th-8th century)
Summary: St Cathal of Taranto. The saint's cult is centred in the city of Taranto, just under the heel of Italy, where the cathedral is named San Cataldo after him. (See image below left). He is honoured in other places in South Italy, Sicily and Malta. Recently there has been a link between him and the village of Shanrahan in Clogheen parish,south Tipperary.Ireland. his patronage is invoked against plagues, drought and storms.
Patrick Duffy researches the pieces of his story.
Tradition that he was Bishop at Taranto
The tradition at Taranto is that Cathal came from the monastery school at Lismore, Co Waterford, Ireland, and arrived in this city en route to or from the Holy Land and was chosen as its bishop. His cult certainly goes back to 1071 when his relics were found in a coffin at Taranto with a pastoral staff of Irish workmanship with the inscription Cathaldus Rachau. He is the titular of the cathedral there and the principal patron saint of the diocese
Spread to Sicily and Beyond
The Benedictines of the Norman kingdom of Sicily and south Italy inspired devotion to him. He appears in mosaics in Palermo and in the basilica of Monreale. There is even a painting of him on one of the pillars in the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem commissioned by the Norman archbishop Drogo of Taranto and approved by the Norman patriarch Raoul of Jerusalem. The earliest account of his life was written by an Italian monk Petrus de Natalibus in 1382.
Where in Ireland?
Efforts to identify a diocese of Rachau have suggested Shanrahan or Rachaa in Co Tipperary (See the website, where the links between Shanrahan and Cathaldus are explored). Another suggestion is Rahan in Co Offaly with the hypothesis that he was a missionary from an Irish monastic centre on the continent. The first interest taken in this saint in Ireland was in 1746, when he was linked with a claim that the diocese of Cashel should take precedence over the diocese of Armagh!
Stained Glass Window in Clogheen, Co. Tipperary
In 1963, Fr. Frank Mackin, a Jesuit priest from Boston, came to Clogheen to research his family history. Following that visit, he went to Taranto to research the life of Saint Cathaldus. He was amazed that there was neither a statue nor a stained glass window commemorating the Irish Saint in the Clogheen Church even though it was obvious from the writings of the historian Fr. Everard - Clogheen's Parish priest in the early years of the twentieth century - and from local tradition, that Clogheen people were aware of the historic link between Taranto and Shanrahan. He resolved to do something about it.
In 1986 the Mackin family of America, Ireland and Australia installed a beautiful stained glass window in St. Mary's Catholic Church, on Clogheen's Main Street. The window, on the west wall of the church, depicts the life of St. Cathaldus in Shanrahan, his journey to the Holy Land and his being shipwrecked off the coast of Southern Italy.
Patrick Duffy researches the pieces of his story.
Tradition that he was Bishop at Taranto
The tradition at Taranto is that Cathal came from the monastery school at Lismore, Co Waterford, Ireland, and arrived in this city en route to or from the Holy Land and was chosen as its bishop. His cult certainly goes back to 1071 when his relics were found in a coffin at Taranto with a pastoral staff of Irish workmanship with the inscription Cathaldus Rachau. He is the titular of the cathedral there and the principal patron saint of the dioceseSpread to Sicily and Beyond
The Benedictines of the Norman kingdom of Sicily and south Italy inspired devotion to him. He appears in mosaics in Palermo and in the basilica of Monreale. There is even a painting of him on one of the pillars in the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem commissioned by the Norman archbishop Drogo of Taranto and approved by the Norman patriarch Raoul of Jerusalem. The earliest account of his life was written by an Italian monk Petrus de Natalibus in 1382.
Where in Ireland?
Efforts to identify a diocese of Rachau have suggested Shanrahan or Rachaa in Co Tipperary (See the website, where the links between Shanrahan and Cathaldus are explored). Another suggestion is Rahan in Co Offaly with the hypothesis that he was a missionary from an Irish monastic centre on the continent. The first interest taken in this saint in Ireland was in 1746, when he was linked with a claim that the diocese of Cashel should take precedence over the diocese of Armagh!
Stained Glass Window in Clogheen, Co. Tipperary
In 1963, Fr. Frank Mackin, a Jesuit priest from Boston, came to Clogheen to research his family history. Following that visit, he went to Taranto to research the life of Saint Cathaldus. He was amazed that there was neither a statue nor a stained glass window commemorating the Irish Saint in the Clogheen Church even though it was obvious from the writings of the historian Fr. Everard - Clogheen's Parish priest in the early years of the twentieth century - and from local tradition, that Clogheen people were aware of the historic link between Taranto and Shanrahan. He resolved to do something about it.
In 1986 the Mackin family of America, Ireland and Australia installed a beautiful stained glass window in St. Mary's Catholic Church, on Clogheen's Main Street. The window, on the west wall of the church, depicts the life of St. Cathaldus in Shanrahan, his journey to the Holy Land and his being shipwrecked off the coast of Southern Italy.
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Memorable Sayings for Today
Try as you will, you cannot annihilate
that eternal relic of the human heart
~ Victor Hugo ~
also
There is a difference between the facts of a person
and the truth of him
~ Alix Ohlin ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 12th May, 2025
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C
Good Shepherd Sunday
Day of Prayer for Vocations
For people of faith to respond to the Lord and dedicate their lives to his Gospel work.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 13:14. 43-52
We must turn to the pagans.
Paul and Barnabas carried on from Perga till they reached Antioch in Pisidia. Here they went to synagogue on the sabbath and took their seats. When the meeting broke up many Jews and devout converts joined Paul and Barnabas and in their talks with them Paul and Barnabas urged them to remain faithful to the grace God had given them.
The next sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews, prompted by jealousy, used blasphemies and contradicted everything Paul said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly.
'We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it,
since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, we must turn to the pagans.
For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said:
"I have made you a light for the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth."
It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside.
But the Jews worked upon some of the devout women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in defiance and went off to Iconium; but the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 99
Response We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy. Response
2. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the sheep of his flock. Response
3. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love.
He is faithful from age to age. Response
SECOND READING Apocalypse 7:9.14-17
The Lamb will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water.
I, John saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands.
One of the elders said to me,
'These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and because they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb, they now stand in front of God's throne and serve him day and night in his sanctuary; and the One who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to
springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.
Alleluia!
THE GOSPEL John 10:27-30
I give eternal life to the sheep that belong to me.
Jesus said:
'The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.'
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: Monday, 12th May, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 13:14. 43-52
Táimidne ag iompú chun na bpágánach.
Ar dhul trí Peirge do Phól agus Barnabas tháinig siad go dtí Aintíoch na Pisíde. Chuaigh siad isteach sa tsionagóg lá na sabóide agus shuigh siad fúthu. Agus nuair a scoir an comhthionól, bhí cuid mhaith de na Giúdaigh agus de na hiompaithigh dhiaganta a lean Pól agus Barnabas. Ina gcomhrá leo mhol Pól agus Barnabas dóibh bheith buanseasmhach i ngrásta Dé.
An tsabóid dár gcionn tháinig an chathair ar fad beagnach le chéile ag éisteacht le briathar Dé. Nuair a chonaic na Giúdaigh na sluaite daoine, bhí siad lán d’fhormad agus bhréagnaigh siad go tarcaisniúil gach a raibh á rá ag Pól.
Ach dúirt Pól agus Barnabas leo go neamhbhalbh:
“Is daoibhse ab éigean briathar Dé a labhairt ar dtús; ach ós rud é go bhfuil sibh ag cur suas de agus gur dóigh libh féin nach fiú sibh an bheatha shíoraí a bheith agaibh, táimidne ag iompú chun na bpágánach.
Mar sin é an t-ordú atá faighte ón Tiarna againn:
‘ Tá tú ceaptha agam le bheith i do sholas do na náisiúin,
ionas go mbeidh tú i d’ábhar slánaithe go himeall an domhain.’”
Bhí áthas ar na págánaigh an méid sin a chloisteáil agus bhí ardmholadh acu ar bhriathar an Tiarna; agus an méid acu a bhí réamhcheaptha don bheatha shíoraí, ghlac siad an creideamh, agus bhí briathar Dé á fhógairt go forleathan ar fud na tíre go léir.
Ach rinne na Giúdaigh séideadh faoi mhná uaisle diaganta na cathrach agus faoi na cinn urra, thosaigh siad ar ghéarleanúint a dhéanamh ar Phól agus ar Bharnabas agus thiomáin amach as an dúiche iad. Chroith siadsan an deannach dá gcosa orthu agus as go brách leo go hIocoiniam. Agus bhí na deisceabail lán d’áthas agus den Spiorad Naomh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 99
Freagra Sinne a phobal agus caoirigh a pháirce.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
1. Gairdígí don Tiarna, a thíortha uile. Fónaigí don Tiarna go lúcháireach.
Tagaigí ina láthair le hamhráin áthais. Freagra
2. Bíodh a fhios agaibh gurb é an Tiarna is Dia ann. Eisean a rinne sinn; is leis féin sinn;
sinne a phobal agus caoirigh a pháirce. Freagra
3. Á, nach maith é go deimhin an Tiarna, nach marthanach a thrócaire ghrámhar!
Is dílis é ó ghlúin go chéile Freagra
DARA LÉACHT Apacailipsis 7:9. 14-17
Beidh an tUan mar aoire acu, agus treoróidh sé iad go toibreacha na beatha.
Chonaic mise. Eoin, mathshlua mór nárbh fhéidir d’aon duine a chomhaireamh as gach cine agus treibh agus pobal agus teanga; bhí siad ina seasamh os comhair na ríchathaoireach agus os comhair an Uain, iad gléasta in éidí geala agus craobhacha pailme acu ina lámha.Dúirt duine liom:
“Is iadsan an dream atá gafa tríd an duainéis mhór; nigh siad agus gheal siad a n-éidí i bhfuil an Uain. Uime sin tá siad os comhair ríchathaoir Dé, agus déanann siad seirbhís dó de lá agus d’oíche ina theampall; agus, an té atá ina shuí sa ríchathaoir, beidh sé ina measc á gcosaint; ní bheidh tart orthu feasta, ná ocras, ná ní chiapfaidh an ghrian iad ná an brothall dearg. Óir, an tUan atá i lár baill ag an ríchathaoir, is é a bheidh mar aoire acu, agus treoróidh sé iad go toibreacha na beatha; agus glanfaidh Dia an uile dheoir dá súile.’
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 14
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Is mise an t-aoire maith,' a deir an Tiarna.
Aithním mo chaoirigh féin, agus aithníonn mo chaoirigh féin mé'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 10:27-30 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
An bheatha shíoraí agam á tabhairt do mo chaoirigh.
San am sin dúirt Íosa:
Éisteann mo chaoirigh le mo ghlór, agus aithním iad, agus leanann siad mé.
Tá an bheatha shíoraí agam á tabhairt dóibh,
agus ní chaillfear go deo iad, ná ní fhuadóidh aon duine as mo láimh iad.
M’Athair a thug dom iad, is mó é ná cách, agus ní féidir d’aon duine fuadach ó láimh m’Athar.
Is aon mise agus an tAthair.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th May, 2025
The Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C
The mutual love of Church members is a living witness to the whole world and helps ease the burden of world suffering.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. 14:21-27
They gave an account of all that God had done with them.
Paul and Barnabas went back through Lystra and Iconium to Antioch. They put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith. We all have to experience many hardships' they said 'before we enter the kingdom of God.'
In each of these churches they appointed elders, and with prayer and fasting they commended them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.They passed through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. Then after proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia and from there sailed for Antioch, where they had originally been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.
On their arrival they assembled the church and gave an account of all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the pagans.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 144
Response I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.
Or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. Response
2. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God,
to make known to men your mighty deeds and the glorious splendour of your reign. Response
3. Yours is an everlasting kingdom; your rule lasts from age to age. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the book of the Apocalypse 21:1-5
God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
I, John saw a new heaven and a new earth ; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea.I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne,
'You see this city? Here God lives among men.
He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and he will be their God;
his name is 'God-with-them.'
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death,
and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.'
Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: 'Now I am making the whole of creation new.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 13: 34
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus said: I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to John 13:31-35 Glory to you, O Lord
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
'Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.
My little children, I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.'
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, 18th May, 2025
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 14:21-27
D’eachtraigh siad don an Eaglais le chéile a raibh déanta ag Dia i gcomhar leo.
D’fhill Pól agus Barnabas arís ar Liostra agus ina dhiaidh sin ar Iocoiniam agus Aintíoch, ag cur misnigh ar na deisceabail agus á spreagadh chun bheith dílis don chreideamh, “Mar,” ar siad, “ní foláir dúinn mórán a fhulaingt chun dul isteach i ríocht Dé.”
Thogh siad seanóirí dóibh ar gach Eaglais acu agus tar éis urnaithe agus troscadh a dhéanamh chuir siad iad faoi choimirce an Tiarna ina raibh a gcreideamh.
Shiúil siad an Phisíde ar fad nó gur tháinig siad go Paimfile;
tar éis dóibh an briathar a chraobhscaoileadh i bPeirgé chuaigh siad síos go hAtailia agus as sin ar bord loinge go hAintíoch – an áit ar cuireadh faoi choimirce ghrásta Dé iad le haghaidh na hoibre a bhí anois curtha i gcrích acu.Ar theacht dóibh, thionóil siad an Eaglais le chéile, agus d’eachtraigh dóibh a raibh déanta ag Dia i gcomhar leo agus mar a d’oscail sé doras an chreidimh do na págánaigh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 144
Freagra: Beannóidh mé d'ainm de shíor, a Dhia liom is a Rí
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
I. Is ceansa trócaireach é an Tiarna, mall chun feirge agus lan de chineáltas.
Is maith é an Tiarna don uile ní is is trócaireach é dá oibreacha uile. Freagra
2. Ceiliúrfaidh d'oibreacha thú, a Thiarna, agus beannóidh do dhaoine naofa thú.
Canfaidh siad glóir do ríochta, agus foilseoidh siad do chumhacht
chun do chumhacht a nochtadh don chine daonna agus glóir do ríochta maorga. Freagra
3. Ríocht shíoraí do ríochtsa, is maireann do cheannas ó ghlúin go glúin. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Apacailipsis 21:1-5
Glanfaidh Dé gach deoir óna súile
Ansin chonaic mé neamh nua agus talamh nua. Bhí an chéad neamh agus an chéad talamh bailithe leo agus gan an fharraige ann feasta. Agus chonaic mé an chathair naofa, an Iarúsailéim nua, ag teacht anuas ó na flaithis, ó Dhia agus í ullamh maisithe mar nuachair i gcomhair a fir chéile.
chuala mé guth tréan ón ríchathaoir á rá:“Féach, tá áitreabh Dé fara daoine, agus cónóidh sé ina measc, agus beidh siad ina bpobal aige, agus beidh Dia féin faru. Glanfaidh sé gach deoir óna súile, agus ní bheidh an bás ann feasta, ná ní bheidh caoineadh ná olagón ná pian ann a thuilleadh, óir tá an seansaol thart.”
Ansin dúirt an té a bhí ina shuí sa ríchathaoir:“Féach, tá gach aon ní á dhéanamh nua agam.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 13:34
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Tá aithne nua á tabhairt agam daoibh, go dtabharfadh sibh
grá dá chéile, faoi mar a thug mise grá daoibhse.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 13:31-35 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tá aithne nua á tabhairt agam daoibh, go dtabharfadh sibh grá dá chéile.
Nuair a d’imigh Iúdás amach, dúirt Íosa:
“Tá glóir faighte ag Mac an Duine anois, agus tá glóir faighte ag Dia ann.
Má fuair Dia glóir ann, tabharfaidh Dia glóir dósan ann féin, agus tabharfaidh sé glóir dó gan mhoill.
A chlann ó, is gearr eile atá agam in bhur bhfochair.
Beidh sibh ar mo lorg, agus faoi mar a dúirt mé leis na Giúdaigh,
deirim libhse arís: ‘An áit ina bhfuilimse ag dul ní féidir daoibhse teacht.’
Tá aithne nua á tabhairt agam daoibh, go dtabharfadh sibh grá dá chéile;
faoi mar a thug mise grá daoibhse, go dtabharfadh sibhse grá dá chéile.
As sin a bheidh a fhios ag cách gur deisceabail liomsa sibh má bhíonn grá agaibh dá chéile.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
