Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Aug 2 - St Eusebius of Vercelli (283-371) bishop
Summary: St Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop was exiled by the emperor Constantius because of his opposition to Arianism, suffered many hardships, but was eventually restored to his diocese. Noted for his preaching, his doctrinal orthodoxy, and his defence of Saint Athanasius.
Vercelli is an ancient town in Piedmont, northern Italy, situated in the plain of the river Po between Milan and Turin. Eusebius served here in the fourth century first as a lector and later bishop. He was an indomitable defender of the divinity of Christ against Arianism.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Which Eusebius?
In the fourth century there were at least three other men of historical significance called Eusebius. The other three were all Easterners by birth: Eusebius of Caesarea was a Church historian; Eusebius of Nicomedia was an Arian bishop; and St Eusebius of Samosata was killed by an Arian woman who threw a brick at his head.
Bishop of Vercelli with Clergy Living a Common Life
Eusebius of Vercelli was born in Sardinia and studied in Rome. He became a lector (reader) and may have served at Rome first and then at Vercelli, where he was made bishop by Pope Liberius. At Vercelli he set up a kind of monastic rule for the clergy to live in common with other priests as St Augustine did later at Hippo.
Pope Liberius sent Eusebius to meet the emperor Constantius II (337-361) about the problem of Arianism and the status of Athanasius of Alexandria, who was being attacked for his strong views. This resulted in a council being held at Milan in 355. Eusebius insisted on everyone first accepting the Nicene Creed. But when some wanted to condemn Athanasius, Eusebius refused, insisting that Athanasius be allowed to defend himself. Also he insisted that the emperor should not influence Church decisions, and that there should be a separation of powers between Church and State.
Exiled in the East
Because of this singularity of outlook and his defence of Athanasius, Eusebius had to go into exile in the East until the death of Constantius II in 361. During that time he visited Palestine, Alexandria in Egypt, and Antioch.
Attended Athanasius's synod of 362
On the accession of Julian in 362, exiled bishops were free to return to their sees. Eusebius went with Athanasius to Alexandria and there attended Athanasius's synod of 362 which confirmed the divinity of the Holy Ghost and the orthodox doctrine concerning the Incarnation. The synod also agreed both to deal mildly with repentant bishops who had become Arians under pressure, but to sanction the Arianising leaders.
Struggle against Arian Bishop Auxentius of Milan
Back in Vercelli, Eusebius continued along with Hilary of Poitiers to uphold the Nicene doctrine especially against the Arian bishop Auxentius of Milan. Although he is sometimes referred to in the middle ages as a martyr, this was more to honour the sufferings he endured in standing up for the true faith. There is no evidence that he was put to death, but died naturally in 371.
Codex Vercellensis of the Vetus Latina
In the cathedral at Vercelli there is an early manuscript 'Codex Vercellensis' of the oldest Latin Gospel texts before St Jerome's Vulgate, called the Vetus Latina. It is generally agreed it was written by Eusebius.
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Vercelli is an ancient town in Piedmont, northern Italy, situated in the plain of the river Po between Milan and Turin. Eusebius served here in the fourth century first as a lector and later bishop. He was an indomitable defender of the divinity of Christ against Arianism.Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Which Eusebius?
In the fourth century there were at least three other men of historical significance called Eusebius. The other three were all Easterners by birth: Eusebius of Caesarea was a Church historian; Eusebius of Nicomedia was an Arian bishop; and St Eusebius of Samosata was killed by an Arian woman who threw a brick at his head.
Bishop of Vercelli with Clergy Living a Common Life
Eusebius of Vercelli was born in Sardinia and studied in Rome. He became a lector (reader) and may have served at Rome first and then at Vercelli, where he was made bishop by Pope Liberius. At Vercelli he set up a kind of monastic rule for the clergy to live in common with other priests as St Augustine did later at Hippo.
The Virgin Mary in Glory with Archangel Gabriel, and Saints Eusebius of Vercelli (seated), Saint Sebastian, and Saint Roch, Sebastiano Ricci. (c/f image right)>>>
Struggle against Arianism
Pope Liberius sent Eusebius to meet the emperor Constantius II (337-361) about the problem of Arianism and the status of Athanasius of Alexandria, who was being attacked for his strong views. This resulted in a council being held at Milan in 355. Eusebius insisted on everyone first accepting the Nicene Creed. But when some wanted to condemn Athanasius, Eusebius refused, insisting that Athanasius be allowed to defend himself. Also he insisted that the emperor should not influence Church decisions, and that there should be a separation of powers between Church and State.
Exiled in the East
Because of this singularity of outlook and his defence of Athanasius, Eusebius had to go into exile in the East until the death of Constantius II in 361. During that time he visited Palestine, Alexandria in Egypt, and Antioch.
Attended Athanasius's synod of 362
On the accession of Julian in 362, exiled bishops were free to return to their sees. Eusebius went with Athanasius to Alexandria and there attended Athanasius's synod of 362 which confirmed the divinity of the Holy Ghost and the orthodox doctrine concerning the Incarnation. The synod also agreed both to deal mildly with repentant bishops who had become Arians under pressure, but to sanction the Arianising leaders.
Struggle against Arian Bishop Auxentius of Milan
Back in Vercelli, Eusebius continued along with Hilary of Poitiers to uphold the Nicene doctrine especially against the Arian bishop Auxentius of Milan. Although he is sometimes referred to in the middle ages as a martyr, this was more to honour the sufferings he endured in standing up for the true faith. There is no evidence that he was put to death, but died naturally in 371.
Codex Vercellensis of the Vetus Latina
In the cathedral at Vercelli there is an early manuscript 'Codex Vercellensis' of the oldest Latin Gospel texts before St Jerome's Vulgate, called the Vetus Latina. It is generally agreed it was written by Eusebius.
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Memorable Quotation for today
“May I be no one's enemy,
and may I be a friend of that which is eternal and abides.
May I never quarrel with those nearest me:
and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.
~ St Eusebius of Vercelli ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 2nd August, 2026
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 55:1-3
Come and eat.
Thus says the Lord:Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come!
Buy corn without money, and eat, and, at no cost, wine and milk.
Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy.
Pay attention, come to me; listen, and your soul will live.
With you I will make an everlasting covenant out of the favours promised to David.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 144: 8-9. 15-18. R/v 16
Response You open wide your hand, O Lord, you grant our desires.
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. The eyes of all creatures look to you and you give them their food in due time.
You open wide your hand, grant the desires of all who live. Response
3. The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him, call on him from their hearts. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:35. 37-39
No created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ
Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Lk 19: 38
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!
Alleluia!
Or Mt 4:4
Alleluia, alleluia!
Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 14:13-21 Glory to you, O Lord
They all ate as much as they wanted.
When Jesus received this news of John the Baptist's death, he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, 'This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food'.
Jesus replied, 'There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves'. But they answered 'All we have with us is five loaves and two fish'.
'Bring them here to me' he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds.
They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.
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/
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.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 2nd August, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh. 55: 1-3
Hóigh, a lucht an íota, tagaigí faoi choinne uisce
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Hóigh, a lucht an íota, tagaigí faoi choinne uisce; fiú mura bhfuil airgead agaibh, tagaigí;
Ceannaigí cruithneacht agus ithigí gan díol as, agus fíon agus bainne gan íoc. Cén fáth a gcaitheann sibh airgead air rud nach arán é,agus luach bhur saothair ar rud nach bhfuil sásamh ann?
Éistigí liomsa agus beidh sólaistí le hithe agaibh
agus beidh taitneamh á bhaint agaibh as togha an bhia.
Tugaigí cluas agus tagaigí chugam, éistigí
agus beidh bhur n-anam saolach.
Déanfaidh mé conradh libh, conradh buan an uair seo,
an chomaoin cheanúil a chur oraibh a ba mhinic ag Dáiví.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 144
Freagra Osclaíonn tú do lámh, a Thiarna, is sásaíonn tú sinn.
I. Is ceansa trócaireach é an Tiarna, mall chun feirge agus lán de chineáltas.
Is maith é an Tiarna don uile ní, is is trócaireach é dá oibreacha uile. Freagra
2. Bíonn súile cách ag feitheamh ort, agus túgann tú bia dóibh in am trátha.
Osclaíonn tú do lámh, a Thiarna, is sásaíonn tú a bhfuil beo le do chineáltas. Freagra
3. Is fíréantá an Tiarna ina shlite uile is is naofa é ina oibreacha go léir.
Is gairid an Tiarna dá ngaireann air, dá ngaireann air go fírinneach. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:35. 37-39
Ná dúil chruthaithe ar bith eile sinn a scaradh ó ghrá Dé atá in Íosa Críost ár dTiarna.
A bhráithre,
cé a scarfaidh ó ghrá Chríost sinn? Trioblóid an ea? nó cruatan, nó géarleanúint, nó gorta, nó nochtacht, nó guais, nó an claíomh féin? Ach sna cúrsaí seo go léir, beirimid an bua go caithréimeach tríd an té úd a thug grá dúinn.Mar táim cinnte dearfa de nach bhféadfaidh bás ná beatha, aingil ná prionsaí ná cumhachtaí, nithe atá ann anois ná nithe atá le teacht, an domhan thuas ná an domhan thíos, ná dúil chruthaithe ar bith eile sinn a scaradh ó ghrá Dé atá in Íosa Críost ár dTiarna.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 4:4
Alleluia, alleluia!
Ní ar arán amháin a mhairfidh an duine,
ach ar an uile fhocal a thagann as béal Dé.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 14:13-21
D’ith siad uile agus bhí siad sách.
San am sin nuair a chuala Íosa faoi bhás Eoin, , chuaigh sé i leataobh as sin i mbád go dtí áit uaigneach ar leithligh. Ach fuair na sluaite scéala air, agus tháinig siad amach as na cathracha á leanúint dá gcois. Ar theacht i dtír dó, chonaic sé slua mór agus ghlac sé trua dóibh agus leigheas na hothair a bhí leo.
Nuair a bhí an tráthnóna ann, áfach, tháinig na deisceabail chuige agus dúirt siad: “Áit uaigneach é seo agus tá sé deireanach feasta. Mar sin, scaoil uait na sluaite go dtéidís isteach sna bailte agus bia a cheannach dóibh féin.”
Ach dúirt Íosa leo: “Ní gá dóibh imeacht; tugaigí sibhse rud le hithe dóibh.”
“Ach,” ar siadsan leis, “níl anseo againne ach cúig builíní agus dhá iasc.”
“Tugaigí chugam anseo iad,” ar seisean. D’ordaigh sé do na sluaite luí fúthu ar an bhféar; thóg sé na cúig builíní agus an dá iasc, agus, ar dhearcadh suas chun na bhflaitheas dó, bheannaigh, bhris, agus thug na builíní do na deisceabail, agus thug na deisceabail do na sluaite iad. D’ith siad uile agus bhí siad sách, agus thóg siad suas an bruscar fuílligh, lán dhá chiseán déag.
Timpeall cúig mhíle fear a fuair an béile, gan mná ná páistí a áireamh.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 9th August, 2026
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 55:1-3
Come and eat.
Thus says the Lord:Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come!
Buy corn without money, and eat, and, at no cost, wine and milk.
Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy.
Pay attention, come to me; listen, and your soul will live.
With you I will make an everlasting covenant out of the favours promised to David.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 144: 8-9. 15-18. R/v 16
Response You open wide your hand, O Lord, you grant our desires.
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. The eyes of all creatures look to you and you give them their food in due time.
You open wide your hand, grant the desires of all who live. Response
3. The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him, call on him from their hearts. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:35. 37-39
No created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ
Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Lk 19: 38
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!
Alleluia!
Or Mt 4:4
Alleluia, alleluia!
Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 14:13-21 Glory to you, O Lord
They all ate as much as they wanted.
When Jesus received this news of John the Baptist's death, he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, 'This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food'.
Jesus replied, 'There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves'. But they answered 'All we have with us is five loaves and two fish'.
'Bring them here to me' he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds.
They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.
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/
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, 9th August, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia, Fáidh. 55: 1-3
Hóigh, a lucht an íota, tagaigí faoi choinne uisce
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Hóigh, a lucht an íota, tagaigí faoi choinne uisce; fiú mura bhfuil airgead agaibh, tagaigí;
Ceannaigí cruithneacht agus ithigí gan díol as, agus fíon agus bainne gan íoc. Cén fáth a gcaitheann sibh airgead air rud nach arán é,agus luach bhur saothair ar rud nach bhfuil sásamh ann?
Éistigí liomsa agus beidh sólaistí le hithe agaibh
agus beidh taitneamh á bhaint agaibh as togha an bhia.
Tugaigí cluas agus tagaigí chugam, éistigí
agus beidh bhur n-anam saolach.
Déanfaidh mé conradh libh, conradh buan an uair seo,
an chomaoin cheanúil a chur oraibh a ba mhinic ag Dáiví.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 144
Freagra Osclaíonn tú do lámh, a Thiarna, is sásaíonn tú sinn.
I. Is ceansa trócaireach é an Tiarna, mall chun feirge agus lán de chineáltas.
Is maith é an Tiarna don uile ní, is is trócaireach é dá oibreacha uile. Freagra
2. Bíonn súile cách ag feitheamh ort, agus túgann tú bia dóibh in am trátha.
Osclaíonn tú do lámh, a Thiarna, is sásaíonn tú a bhfuil beo le do chineáltas. Freagra
3. Is fíréantá an Tiarna ina shlite uile is is naofa é ina oibreacha go léir.
Is gairid an Tiarna dá ngaireann air, dá ngaireann air go fírinneach. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 8:35. 37-39
Ná dúil chruthaithe ar bith eile sinn a scaradh ó ghrá Dé atá in Íosa Críost ár dTiarna.
A bhráithre,
cé a scarfaidh ó ghrá Chríost sinn? Trioblóid an ea? nó cruatan, nó géarleanúint, nó gorta, nó nochtacht, nó guais, nó an claíomh féin? Ach sna cúrsaí seo go léir, beirimid an bua go caithréimeach tríd an té úd a thug grá dúinn.Mar táim cinnte dearfa de nach bhféadfaidh bás ná beatha, aingil ná prionsaí ná cumhachtaí, nithe atá ann anois ná nithe atá le teacht, an domhan thuas ná an domhan thíos, ná dúil chruthaithe ar bith eile sinn a scaradh ó ghrá Dé atá in Íosa Críost ár dTiarna.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 4:4
Alleluia, alleluia!
Ní ar arán amháin a mhairfidh an duine,
ach ar an uile fhocal a thagann as béal Dé.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 14:13-21
D’ith siad uile agus bhí siad sách.
San am sin nuair a chuala Íosa faoi bhás Eoin, , chuaigh sé i leataobh as sin i mbád go dtí áit uaigneach ar leithligh. Ach fuair na sluaite scéala air, agus tháinig siad amach as na cathracha á leanúint dá gcois. Ar theacht i dtír dó, chonaic sé slua mór agus ghlac sé trua dóibh agus leigheas na hothair a bhí leo.
Nuair a bhí an tráthnóna ann, áfach, tháinig na deisceabail chuige agus dúirt siad: “Áit uaigneach é seo agus tá sé deireanach feasta. Mar sin, scaoil uait na sluaite go dtéidís isteach sna bailte agus bia a cheannach dóibh féin.”
Ach dúirt Íosa leo: “Ní gá dóibh imeacht; tugaigí sibhse rud le hithe dóibh.”
“Ach,” ar siadsan leis, “níl anseo againne ach cúig builíní agus dhá iasc.”
“Tugaigí chugam anseo iad,” ar seisean. D’ordaigh sé do na sluaite luí fúthu ar an bhféar; thóg sé na cúig builíní agus an dá iasc, agus, ar dhearcadh suas chun na bhflaitheas dó, bheannaigh, bhris, agus thug na builíní do na deisceabail, agus thug na deisceabail do na sluaite iad. D’ith siad uile agus bhí siad sách, agus thóg siad suas an bruscar fuílligh, lán dhá chiseán déag.
Timpeall cúig mhíle fear a fuair an béile, gan mná ná páistí a áireamh.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
