Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 14 - St Laurence O'Toole (1128-80): a spiritual leader for difficult times
Summary :St Laurence O'Toole, monk. Laurence was born in Leinster in 1123. studied at Glendalough, became abbot there in 1148, and in 1162 was chosen as the first native Archbishop of Dublin. He followed the reforming methods of Ceallach and Malachy, introducing the Canons Regular to Dublin and following their Rule. He returned from the Lateran Council in Rome as Papal Legate and held synods to extend reform. He died at Eu in Brittany in 1180 while on a mission to try to restore peace between the kings of Ireland and England.
Archbishop of Dublin during the takeover of Ireland by the Normans and King Henry II, his efforts in the peace process and his frustration with King Henry probably caused his early death. Highly honoured at Eu in Normandy, France, where he died. It was the monks at Eu that introduced his cause to Rome.
Fr Kevin Doran, parish priest of Glendalough, tells his story.
Prince/Hostage
Laurence O'Toole was born in Castledermot, Co. Kildare in 1128. His father was Maurice O'Toole, King of Hy Murray. It was common practice in those times for princes of one clan to be given as hostages to another clan, as a guarantee of peace. When Laurence was ten years old he was given as hostage to Dermot McMurrough, King of Leinster, who treated him very badly. Laurence was sent in chains to a remote place, where he got very little to eat; he hadn't even enough clothes to keep him warm in the winter. For two years, even though he was a king's son, he learnt what it was like to be poor and to be oppressed.
Monk
After two years, it was agreed that Laurence would be released. He was sent to a monastery at Glendalough, and the monks made him welcome. It was agreed that his father would come and collect him there. But Laurence soon came to love Glendalough. He liked joining the monks in prayer. He felt very close to God there. After his two years as a hostage, he realised that wealth and power were not important.
He asked his father's permission to stay there, and become a monk, and his father agreed. When he was still only 25, Laurence was elected Abbot of the monastery. As the leader of the community he encouraged the monks in their learning. There was always a welcome in the monastery for the poor. When there was a famine in the area, Laurence sold some of the treasures of Glendalough to provide food for those who were hungry.
Archbishop
In 1162 Laurence became the first Irish-born Archbishop of the Danish city of Dublin. In those days, many of the people of Dublin didn't take their Christian religion very seriously. Laurence encouraged them to become real Christians. He brought monks to Dublin from France, and they lived at Christchurch Cathedral. They helped many people to come back to Mass, and to the Sacraments. Laurence himself never forgot his own days of poverty. He continued to care for the poor, especially homeless children. He made room for them in his own house, and they shared the food at his table.
Man of Prayer
Laurence was a man of prayer. He got up in the early hours to sing the office with the other monks in the cathedral and often stayed on afterwards, deep in prayer. Then he would walk for a while in the little graveyard, watching and praying over the city. When he had some free time, he loved to go to Glendalough and spend a few days in solitude in a lakeside hermitage which could be reached only by boat.
Mission to Reform the Irish Church
As Archbishop of Dublin, Laurence participated in the Third Lateran Council in Rome in 1179, with some of the other Irish bishops. The Pope, Alexander III, knew that Ireland had been going through a bad time. He knew that many people, including priests, were no longer taking their religion seriously. He entrusted to Laurence the task of reforming the Church in Ireland.
The Peace Process
The Normans landed in Ireland in 1169. The following year they besieged Dublin under their leader, Strongbow. Laurence met Strongbow to arrange peace but the Normans attacked while the talks were going on. They seized the city, and began killing the citizens and looting their houses. Laurence saved the lives of many people.
He often visited England in his efforts to bring about peace between the two countries. Travelling by sea was dangerous and shipwrecks were common. More than once, his ship was caught in a violent storm. In 1175 he was one of the signatories of the Treaty of Windsor between England's King Henry II and Ireland's High King, Roderic O'Connor.
But the work of making peace is never finished. A new dispute broke out between the King of England and the Irish Kings. In the spring of 1180, Laurence left Ireland again to see if he could help to settle the dispute. The English King, Henry II, didn't have much time for bishops. He had already arranged to have the Archbishop of Canterbury (Thomas à Becket) murdered. He would not welcome Laurence O'Toole. He saw a chance to get rid of Laurence as Archbishop of Dublin and would not let him come back to Ireland. Henry had control of Normandy as well as England. Laurence followed him there. As long as there was a chance of peace, he would not give up trying.
Death in exile
In 1180, Laurence became seriously ill. The monks at Eu in Normandy looked after him in their monastery. But eventually, on 14th November 1180, at the age of 52, he died.
His tomb is in the crypt, under the Collegial Church at Eu. Many people still go there to pray. Laurence was canonized in 1225.
His heart was transferred to Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The 800 year old heart relic was kept in a wooden heart-shaped container sealed within a small iron-barred cage in St Laud’s chapel in the cathedral. It was stolen in March 2012, happily retrieved undamaged in 2018.
Icon credit: Sr. Aloysius McVeigh RSM. See www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie/icon_slot.html
The hermitage project received support from various Church and community sources as well as from the Millennium fund, and five “Cillin’s” or “cells” were built in the vicinity of St. Kevin’s Church. Like the hermitages of old, they are slightly off the beaten track, a short distance away from the original monastic
settlement. While pilgrims have easy access both to the monastic village and to the surrounding forests and mountains, they are also offered a degree of solitude in the hermitage which is not always available these days down in the valley.
The hermitages themselves, which are self-catering, are far more comfortable than the ones occupied by St. Kevin and the hermits of bygone days. Apart from the main room, which includes a bed, dining area and prayer space, each “cell” has a modern kitchenette and shower room. Pilgrims also have access to a library and prayer room in the Coachhouse. The parish Church is fifty metres away and mass is celebrated daily. A communal morning and evening prayer are celebrated in the coach-house. The hermitage project is staffed by two sisters of Mercy, Sr. Kathleen Delaney and Sr. Mary McKeever, both of whom are available to meet pilgrims if requested. Provision is also made in the coach-house for small groups who wish to meet in an atmosphere of quiet, “far from the madding crowd.”
Further information can be had by phoning 0404-45777 or by contacting www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie
Archbishop of Dublin during the takeover of Ireland by the Normans and King Henry II, his efforts in the peace process and his frustration with King Henry probably caused his early death. Highly honoured at Eu in Normandy, France, where he died. It was the monks at Eu that introduced his cause to Rome.Fr Kevin Doran, parish priest of Glendalough, tells his story.
Prince/Hostage
Laurence O'Toole was born in Castledermot, Co. Kildare in 1128. His father was Maurice O'Toole, King of Hy Murray. It was common practice in those times for princes of one clan to be given as hostages to another clan, as a guarantee of peace. When Laurence was ten years old he was given as hostage to Dermot McMurrough, King of Leinster, who treated him very badly. Laurence was sent in chains to a remote place, where he got very little to eat; he hadn't even enough clothes to keep him warm in the winter. For two years, even though he was a king's son, he learnt what it was like to be poor and to be oppressed.
Monk
After two years, it was agreed that Laurence would be released. He was sent to a monastery at Glendalough, and the monks made him welcome. It was agreed that his father would come and collect him there. But Laurence soon came to love Glendalough. He liked joining the monks in prayer. He felt very close to God there. After his two years as a hostage, he realised that wealth and power were not important.He asked his father's permission to stay there, and become a monk, and his father agreed. When he was still only 25, Laurence was elected Abbot of the monastery. As the leader of the community he encouraged the monks in their learning. There was always a welcome in the monastery for the poor. When there was a famine in the area, Laurence sold some of the treasures of Glendalough to provide food for those who were hungry.
Archbishop
In 1162 Laurence became the first Irish-born Archbishop of the Danish city of Dublin. In those days, many of the people of Dublin didn't take their Christian religion very seriously. Laurence encouraged them to become real Christians. He brought monks to Dublin from France, and they lived at Christchurch Cathedral. They helped many people to come back to Mass, and to the Sacraments. Laurence himself never forgot his own days of poverty. He continued to care for the poor, especially homeless children. He made room for them in his own house, and they shared the food at his table.
Man of Prayer
Laurence was a man of prayer. He got up in the early hours to sing the office with the other monks in the cathedral and often stayed on afterwards, deep in prayer. Then he would walk for a while in the little graveyard, watching and praying over the city. When he had some free time, he loved to go to Glendalough and spend a few days in solitude in a lakeside hermitage which could be reached only by boat.
Mission to Reform the Irish Church
As Archbishop of Dublin, Laurence participated in the Third Lateran Council in Rome in 1179, with some of the other Irish bishops. The Pope, Alexander III, knew that Ireland had been going through a bad time. He knew that many people, including priests, were no longer taking their religion seriously. He entrusted to Laurence the task of reforming the Church in Ireland.
The Peace Process
The Normans landed in Ireland in 1169. The following year they besieged Dublin under their leader, Strongbow. Laurence met Strongbow to arrange peace but the Normans attacked while the talks were going on. They seized the city, and began killing the citizens and looting their houses. Laurence saved the lives of many people.
He often visited England in his efforts to bring about peace between the two countries. Travelling by sea was dangerous and shipwrecks were common. More than once, his ship was caught in a violent storm. In 1175 he was one of the signatories of the Treaty of Windsor between England's King Henry II and Ireland's High King, Roderic O'Connor.
But the work of making peace is never finished. A new dispute broke out between the King of England and the Irish Kings. In the spring of 1180, Laurence left Ireland again to see if he could help to settle the dispute. The English King, Henry II, didn't have much time for bishops. He had already arranged to have the Archbishop of Canterbury (Thomas à Becket) murdered. He would not welcome Laurence O'Toole. He saw a chance to get rid of Laurence as Archbishop of Dublin and would not let him come back to Ireland. Henry had control of Normandy as well as England. Laurence followed him there. As long as there was a chance of peace, he would not give up trying.
Death in exile
In 1180, Laurence became seriously ill. The monks at Eu in Normandy looked after him in their monastery. But eventually, on 14th November 1180, at the age of 52, he died.
His tomb is in the crypt, under the Collegial Church at Eu. Many people still go there to pray. Laurence was canonized in 1225.His heart was transferred to Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The 800 year old heart relic was kept in a wooden heart-shaped container sealed within a small iron-barred cage in St Laud’s chapel in the cathedral. It was stolen in March 2012, happily retrieved undamaged in 2018.
Icon credit: Sr. Aloysius McVeigh RSM. See www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie/icon_slot.html
Glendalough Hermitage
As the Jubilee Year of 2000 approached, the idea began to take shape that Glendalough might once again become a source of spiritual energy for the Irish Church, as it was in the past. Fr Seán O’Toole, who was parish priest of Glendalough at the time, began to think in terms of developing a new hermitage around the “new” St. Kevin’s Church, which was built in Laragh shortly after Catholic Emancipation. He wanted to provide a place of welcome for pilgrims, where they could be accommodated comfortably in an atmosphere of quiet and prayer.
The hermitage project received support from various Church and community sources as well as from the Millennium fund, and five “Cillin’s” or “cells” were built in the vicinity of St. Kevin’s Church. Like the hermitages of old, they are slightly off the beaten track, a short distance away from the original monastic
settlement. While pilgrims have easy access both to the monastic village and to the surrounding forests and mountains, they are also offered a degree of solitude in the hermitage which is not always available these days down in the valley.The hermitages themselves, which are self-catering, are far more comfortable than the ones occupied by St. Kevin and the hermits of bygone days. Apart from the main room, which includes a bed, dining area and prayer space, each “cell” has a modern kitchenette and shower room. Pilgrims also have access to a library and prayer room in the Coachhouse. The parish Church is fifty metres away and mass is celebrated daily. A communal morning and evening prayer are celebrated in the coach-house. The hermitage project is staffed by two sisters of Mercy, Sr. Kathleen Delaney and Sr. Mary McKeever, both of whom are available to meet pilgrims if requested. Provision is also made in the coach-house for small groups who wish to meet in an atmosphere of quiet, “far from the madding crowd.”
Further information can be had by phoning 0404-45777 or by contacting www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie
******************************
Memorable Saying for Today
My God is the rock where I take refuge;
my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold."
~ St Laurence O' Toole ~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 14th November, 2026
Saturday of the Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
The Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday.
Saint of the Day: Nov 14; Optional memorial of St Laurence O'Toole,
monk, Archbishop of Dublin, missionary in Normandy, d.1180
c/f short history of today’s saint can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the third letter of St John 1: 5-8
It is our duty to welcome people of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.
My friend, you have done faithful work in looking after these brothers, even though they were complete strangers to you. They are a proof to the whole Church of your charity and it would be a very good thing if you could help them on their journey in a way that God would approve.
It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the pagans for anything; it is our duty to welcome men of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 111: 1-6 Rv. 1
Response Happy the man who fears the Lord.
Or Alleluia!
1. Happy the man who fears the Lord, who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; the children of the upright are blessed. Response
2. Riches and wealth are in his house; his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just. Response
3. The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever. Response
Gospel Acclamation Js 1: 21
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Accept and submit to the word,
which has been planted in you and can save your souls.
Alleluia!
Or 2 Thess 2: 14
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Through the Good News God called us
to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 18:1-8 Glory to you, O Lord
God will see justice done to his chosen who cry to him.
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart.'There was a judge in a certain town' he said 'who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, "I want justice from you against my enemy!"
For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself,
"Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death".'
And the Lord said
'You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
********************
Gospel Reflection Saturday Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time Luke 18:1-8
According to today’s gospel reading, Jesus spoke the parable of the judge and the widow to encourage his disciples not to lose heart but to keep on praying, to pray continuously, even in times of great darkness. By means of this parable Jesus is encouraging us to have a persistent faith. The widow is an example of such persistent faith. When an injustice was done to her, she did not lose heart. She kept hammering away at the judge who alone could grant her justice until he caved in to her demands, fearful perhaps that she would resort to violence if he didn’t respond to her. Jesus is encouraging us to have something of the gutsy determination of the widow. Our persistent prayer is not to an unjust judge who couldn’t care less about God or his fellow human beings. We pray to a God who is passionately concerned about us. All the more reason why we should have a persistent faith that finds expression in continual prayer.
Having spoken the parable, Jesus asks the question, ‘When the Son of Man comes will he find any faith on earth?’ When he comes at the end of time, will he find people of the kind of persistent faith displayed by the widow, or will his disciples have lost heart by then, worn down by the trials of life. It is a question that puts it up to us, in the words of the letter to the Hebrew, ‘to run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith’ (Heb 12:1-2).
________________________________
The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings 2024: The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
___________________
Saint of the Day: Nov 14th; St Laurence O'Toole, monk, Archbishop of Dublin
Laurence was born in Leinster in 1123. studied at Glendalough, became abbot there in 1148, and in 1162 was chosen as the first native Archbishop of Dublin. He followed the reforming methods of Ceallach and Malachy, introducing the Canons Regular to Dublin and following their Rule. He returned from the Lateran Council, Rome as Papal Legate and held synods to extend reform. He died at Eu in Brittany in 1180 while on a mission to try to restore peace between the kings of Ireland and England.
Archbishop of Dublin during the takeover of Ireland by the Normans and King Henry II, his efforts in the peace process and his frustration with King Henry probably caused his early death. Highly honoured at Eu in Normandy, France, where he died. It was the monks at Eu that introduced his cause to Rome.
Fr Kevin Doran, parish priest of Glendalough, tells his story.
Prince/Hostage
Laurence O'Toole was born in Castledermot, Co. Kildare in 1128. His father was Maurice O'Toole, King of Hy Murray. It was common practice in those times for princes of one clan to be given as hostages to another clan, as a guarantee of peace. When Laurence was ten years old he was given as hostage to Dermot McMurrough, King of Leinster, who treated him very badly. Laurence was sent in chains to a remote place, where he got very little to eat; he hadn't even enough clothes to keep him warm in the winter. For two years, even though he was a king's son, he learnt what it was like to be poor and to be oppressed.
Monk
After two years, it was agreed that Laurence would be released. He was sent to a monastery at Glendalough, and the monks made him welcome. It was agreed that his father would come and collect him there. But Laurence soon came to love Glendalough. He liked joining the monks in prayer. He felt very close to God there. After his two years as a hostage, he realised that wealth and power were not important.He asked his father's permission to stay there, and become a monk, and his father agreed. When he was still only 25, Laurence was elected Abbot of the monastery. As the leader of the community he encouraged the monks in their learning. There was always a welcome in the monastery for the poor. When there was a famine in the area, Laurence sold some of the treasures of Glendalough to provide food for those who were hungry.
Archbishop
In 1162 Laurence became the first Irish-born Archbishop of the Danish city of Dublin. In those days, many of the people of Dublin didn't take their Christian religion very seriously. Laurence encouraged them to become real Christians. He brought monks to Dublin from France, and they lived at Christchurch Cathedral. They helped many people to come back to Mass, and to the Sacraments. Laurence himself never forgot his own days of poverty. He continued to care for the poor, especially homeless children. He made room for them in his own house, and they shared the food at his table.
Man of Prayer
Laurence was a man of prayer. He got up in the early hours to sing the office with the other monks in the cathedral and often stayed on afterwards, deep in prayer. Then he would walk for a while in the little graveyard, watching and praying over the city. When he had some free time, he loved to go to Glendalough and spend a few days in solitude in a lakeside hermitage which could be reached only by boat.
Mission to Reform the Irish Church
As Archbishop of Dublin, Laurence participated in the Third Lateran Council in Rome in 1179, with some of the other Irish bishops. The Pope, Alexander III, knew that Ireland had been going through a bad time. He knew that many people, including priests, were no longer taking their religion seriously. He entrusted to Laurence the task of reforming the Church in Ireland.
The Peace Process
The Normans landed in Ireland in 1169. The following year they besieged Dublin under their leader, Strongbow. Laurence met Strongbow to arrange peace but the Normans attacked while the talks were going on. They seized the city, and began killing the citizens and looting their houses. Laurence saved the lives of many people. He often visited England in his efforts to bring about peace between the two countries. Travelling by sea was dangerous and shipwrecks were common. More than once, his ship was caught in a violent storm. In 1175 he was one of the signatories of the Treaty of Windsor between England's King Henry II and Ireland's High King, Roderic O'Connor.
But the work of making peace is never finished. A new dispute broke out between the King of England and the Irish Kings. In the spring of 1180, Laurence left Ireland again to see if he could help to settle the dispute. The English King, Henry II, didn't have much time for bishops. He had already arranged to have the Archbishop of Canterbury (Thomas à Becket) murdered. He would not welcome Laurence O'Toole. He saw a chance to get rid of Laurence as Archbishop of Dublin and would not let him come back to Ireland. Henry had control of Normandy as well as England. Laurence followed him there. As long as there was a chance of peace, he would not give up trying.
Death in exile
In 1180, Laurence became seriously ill. The monks at Eu in Normandy looked after him in their monastery. But eventually, on 14th November 1180, at the age of 52, he died. His tomb is in the crypt, under the Collegial Church at Eu.
Many people still go there to pray. Laurence was canonized in 1225.
His heart was transferred to Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The 800 year old heart relic was kept in a wooden heart-shaped container sealed within a small iron-barred cage in St Laud’s chapel in the cathedral.
It was stolen in March 2012, but happily retrieved undamaged in 2018.
Icon credit: Sr. Aloysius McVeigh RSM. See www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie/icon_slot.html
Laurence's Glendalough Hermitage
As the Jubilee Year of 2000 approached, the idea began to take shape that Glendalough might once again become a source of spiritual energy for the Irish Church, as it was in the past. Fr Seán O’Toole, who was parish priest of Glendalough at the time, began to think in terms of developing a new hermitage around the “new” St. Kevin’s Church, which was built in Laragh shortly after Catholic Emancipation. He wanted to provide a place of welcome for pilgrims, where they could be accommodated comfortably in an atmosphere of quiet and prayer.
The hermitage project received support from various Church and community sources as well as from the Millennium fund, and five “Cillin’s” or “cells” were built in the vicinity of St. Kevin’s Church. Like the hermitages of old, they are slightly off the beaten track, a short distance away from the original monastic
settlement. While pilgrims have easy access both to the monastic village and to the surrounding forests and mountains, they are also offered a degree of solitude in the hermitage which is not always available these days down in the valley.The hermitages themselves, which are self-catering, are far more comfortable than the ones occupied by St. Kevin and the hermits in bygone days. Apart from the main room, which includes a bed, dining area and prayer space, each “cell” has a modern kitchenette and shower room. Pilgrims also have access to a library and prayer room in the Coachhouse. The parish Church is fifty metres away and mass is celebrated daily. A communal morning and evening prayer are celebrated in the coach-house. The hermitage project is staffed by two sisters of Mercy, Sr. Kathleen Delaney and Sr. Mary McKeever, both of whom are available to meet pilgrims if requested.
Provision is also made in the coach-house for small groups who wish to meet in an atmosphere of quiet, “far from the madding crowd.”
Further information can be had by phoning 0404-45777 or by contacting www.hermitage.dublindiocese.ie
******************************
Memorable Saying for Today
My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold."
~ St Laurence O' Toole ~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 14th November, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as triú Litir Naomh Eoin 5-8
Is mithid dúinne dá bhrí sin soláthar dá leithéidí.
A bhráthair na páirte, is dílis a chruthaigh tú sa mhéid go ndearna tú gar do na bráithre, agus go háirithe nuair ba choimhthígh iad, a thug teastas ar do charthanacht i bhfianaise na hEaglaise go léir. Is inmholta a chruthóidh tú, á seoladh siúd chun bealaigh mar is cuí do sheirbhís Dé. Mar gur ar son a ainmsean a ghabh siad bóthar agus gan tada á ghlacadh acu ó na págánaigh. Is mithid dúinne dá bhrí sin soláthar dá leithéidí le go mba comhoibrithe sinn san fhírinne.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia.
Salm le Freagra Sm 111: 1-6 Rv. 1
Freagra Is aoibhinn don fhear ar a mbíonn eagla an Tiarna.
Malairt freagra Alleluia!
1. Is aoibhinn don fhear ar a mbíonn eagla an Tiarna; a thugann taitneamh dá aitheanta uile.
Beidh a shliocht siúd go tréan ar talamh; is beannaithe clann an duine ionraic. Freagra
2. Beidh maoin is maitheas ina theaghlach; mairfidh a fhíréantacht go brách is choíche.
Bíonn ina sholas sa dorchacht don dea-dhuine; is trócaireach é, is fial, is ionraic. Freagra
3. Bíonn an dea-dhuine carthanach fial lena chuid; riarann sé a ghnó go ceart onórach.
Ní chorrófar an fíréan choíche; mairfidh a chuimhne go brách na breithe. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 18:1-8 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Déanfaidh Dia ceart dá mhuintir thofa féin a bhíonn ag éamh air.
Dúirt Íosa parabal leo á chur i gcéill nárbh fholáir dóibh bheith ag guí de ghnáth gan bheith cortha de choíche:
“Bhí, i gcathair áirithe, breitheamh nach raibh eagla Dé air ná beann ar dhuine aige. Bhí baintreach sa chathair sin freisin agus bhíodh sí ag teacht chuige, ag rá:
‘Déan ceart dom in aghaidh fhear mo chúisithe,’ ach níorbh áil leis é seal aimsire;
ach sa deireadh dúirt sé ina aigne: ‘Más ea féin nach bhfuil eagla Dé orm ná beann ar dhuine agam, ina dhiaidh sin, de chionn go mbíonn an bhaintreach seo do mo bhuaireamh, déanfaidh mé ceart di, le heagla go mbeadh sí ag teacht go deo ag crá mo chinn.’”
Agus dúirt an Tiarna:
“Éistigí leis an mbreitheamh éagórach, a ndeir sé! Agus an ea nach ndéanfaidh Dia ceart dá mhuintir thofa féin a bhíonn ag éamh air de lá is d’oíche, agus eisean ag déanamh foighne ina gcás? Deirim libh, déanfaidh sé ceart go grod.
Ach nuair a thiocfaidh Mac an Duine, an bhfaighidh sé creideamh ar an talamh?”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 15th November, 2026
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The emphasis in the readings today is on fidelity and on dedication to duty and work. Talents and gifts are given for service of the community. The Christian is meant to be fully dedicated to working in the service of others while watching and waiting for the life to come. There is always so much good to be done for others, so little time in which to do it.
World Day of the Poor
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Proverbs 31:10-13. 19-20. 30-31
A perfect wife-who can find her?
A perfect wife-who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.
She is always busy with wool and with flax, she does her work with eager hands.
She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
She holds out her hand to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 127: 1-5. Rv:1
Response O blessed are those who fear the Lord.
1. O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper. Response
2. Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Response
3. Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion in a happy Jerusalem
all the days of your life. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 5:1-6
The Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night.
You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about 'times and seasons', since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is' that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it. But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Apoc 2: 10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Even if you have to die, says the Lord,
keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life
Alleluia!
Or Jn 15:4-5
Alleluia, alleluia!
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you, says the Lord
Whoever remains in me, with me bears fruit in plenty
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 25:14-30 Glory to you, O Lord
You have shown you can be faithful in small things, come and join in your master's happiness.
Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third is one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.
The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more.
The man who had received two made two more in the same way.
But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them.
The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more.
"Sir," he said "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made."
His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness".
Next the man with the two talents came forward. "Sir," he said "you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made."
His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness".
Last came forward the man who had the one talent. "Sir," said he "I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back."
But his master answered him, "You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
_____________________
Shorter form
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 25:14-15.19-20
You have shown you can be faithful in small things, come and join in your master's happiness.
Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples:
" The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third is one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out. The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them.
The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. "Sir," he said "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made." His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness".
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, 15th November, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Seanfhocal 31:10-13. 19-20. 30-31
Cé ar féidir leis a dhíol de bhean chéile a fháil?
Cé ar féidir leis í a fháil?
Is luachmhaire í ná péarlaí. Is inti a chuireann a fear a mhuinín go léir,agus ní bheidh aon cheal brabaigh air dá barr.
Ní dochar ach sochar a dhéanfaidh sí dó ar feadh a saoil.
Lorgann sí olann agus líon, agus oibríonn sí go dícheallach lena lámha.
Coinníonn sí an coigeal ina láimh agus beireann a méireanna ar an bhfearsad.
Caitheann sí go fial leis an duine dearóil, agus tugann sí déirc don duine bocht.
Is mealltach í an scéimh, agus is neamhbhuan í an áilleacht;
is don bhean ar a bhfuil eagla an Tiarna is dual moladh.
Tugaigí di toradh a saothair, agus moladh a gníomhartha í ag geataí na cathrach.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 127: 1-5. Rv:1
Freagra Is aoibhinn do chách lerb eagal an Tiarna.
1. Is aoibhinn do chách lerb eagal an Tiarna agus a shiúlann ina shlite.
Íosfaidh tú toradh do shaothair féin. Beidh tú go sona seanmhar. Freagra
2. Beidh do bhean amhail fíniúin thorthach i gceartlár do thí;
beidh do chlann mar bhuinneáin olóige agus iad mórthimpeall do bhoird. Freagra
3. Is amhlaidh a bheannófar an fear ar a mbíonn eagla an Tiarna.
Go mbeannaí an Tiarna thú as Síón amach gach lá de do shaol! Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an chéad litir N.Pól chuig na Teasalónaigh 5:1-6
Ná tagadh Lá úd an Tiarna gan fhios oraibh mar a bheadh bithiúnach.
A bhráithre, maidir le hamanna agus uaineacha, ní gá scríobh chugaibh ina dtaobh. Tá a fhios agaibh féin go beacht gur mar a bheadh bithiúnach san oíche a thiocfaidh an Lá úd an Tiarna. Nuair a bheidh daoine á rá: “Táthar slán sábháilte,” ansin gan choinne is ea a thiocfaidh an tubaiste, mar a thagann an tinneas ar bhean atá trom, agus ní bheidh aon éalú acu uaithi. Ní sa dorchacht atá sibhse, áfach, a bhráithre, go dtiocfadh an lá úd aniar aduaidh oraibh mar a bheadh bithiúnach. Is clann an tsolais sibhse, a bhráithre, go huile, clann an lae. Ní leis an oíche ná leis an dorchacht sinn. Ná bímis inár gcodladh, dá bhrí sin, ar nós daoine eile, ach bímis inár ndúiseacht agus ar ár gciall.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Comhgháir/Alleluia Eo 15: 4-5
Alleluia, alleluia!
'Fanaigí ionamsa, agus mise ionaibh,' a deir an Tiarna. '
An té a fhanann ionamsa, tugann sé toradh mór uaidh.'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha, 25:14-30 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Bhí tú iontaofa i mbun beagán nithe; gabh isteach in aoibhneas do thiarna.
San am sin d'inis Íosa an parabal seo dá dheisceabail:
“Duine a bhí ag dul ar an gcoigríoch: ghlaoigh sé ar a sheirbhísigh agus thaobhaigh leo a mhaoin; thug cúig thallann do dhuine acu, a dó do dhuine eile, aon tallann amháin do dhuine eile – do gach duine de réir an chumais a bhí ann – agus d’fhág an tír. Ní dhearna fear na gcúig thallann aon mhoill gan cur chun gnó leo agus cúig cinn eile a ghnóthú. Mar an gcéanna d’fhear an dá thallann; ghnóthaigh seisean dhá cheann eile. Ach chuaigh fear na haon tallainne amháin agus rinne poll sa talamh agus chuir sé airgead a mháistir i bhfolach.
Seal fada ina dhiaidh sin, tháinig máistir na seirbhíseach sin ag réiteach cuntas leo.
Tháinig fear na gcúig thallann ina láthair agus thairg cúig thallann eile aige chuige agus ar seisean:
‘A mháistir, d’fhág tú cúig thallann ar iontaoibh agamsa; seo duit cúig cinn eile a ghnóthaigh mé.’
Labhair a mháistir leis: ‘Go han-mhaith; dea-sheirbhíseach iontaofa thú: bhí tú iontaofa i mbun beagán nithe; ceapfaidh mé i do cheann thú ar mhórán; gabh isteach in aoibhneas do thiarna.’
Tháinig ina láthair ansin fear an dá thallann:
‘A mháistir,’ ar seisean, ‘d’fhág tú dhá thallann ar iontaoibh agamsa: seo duit dhá cheann eile a ghnóthaigh mé.’
Labhair a mháistir leis: ‘Go han-mhaith: dea-sheirbhíseach iontaofa thú; bhí tú iontaofa i mbun beagán nithe; ceapfaidh mé i do cheann thú ar mhórán: gabh isteach in aoibhneas do thiarna.’
Tháinig ina láthair ansin an fear a fuair an t-aon tallann amháin:
‘A mháistir,’ ar seisean, ‘bhí aithne agam ort gur duine crua thú, ag baint fómhair san áit nár chuir tú síol, agus ag cnuasach as an áit nach ndearna tú scaipeadh; agus le barr eagla, chuaigh mé ag cur do thallainne i bhfolach sa talamh. Seo duit í: tá do chuid féin agat.’
Dúirt a mháistir leis á fhreagairt:
‘Drochsheirbhíseach leisciúil thú! Bhí a fhios agat go mbainim fómhar san áit nár chuir mé síol agus go gcnuasaím as an áit nach ndearna mé scaipeadh: ba cheart duitse mar sin mo chuid airgid a chur chun lucht gaimbín, agus nuair a thiocfainn gheobhainn mo chuid féin ar ais le hús. Bainigí de an tallann agus tugaigí í don duine a bhfuil na deich dtallann aige, óir, gach aon duine a mbíonn ní aige, tabharfar dó agus beidh fuílleach aige, ach an té a bhíonn gan ní, fiú amháin a mbíonn aige bainfear de é.
Agus an seirbhíseach úd gan aird, caitear amach sa dorchadas é: is ann a bheidh gol agus díoscán fiacla.’
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chríost
_________________________________________
SOISCÉAL Gearr
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 25:14- 15, 19-20
Bhí tú iontaofa i mbun beagán nithe; gabh isteach in aoibhneas do thiarna.
San am sin d'inis Íosa an parabal seo dá dheisceabail:
“Duine a bhí ag dul ar an gcoigríoch: ghlaoigh sé ar a sheirbhísigh agus thaobhaigh leo a mhaoin; thug cúig thallann do dhuine acu, a dó do dhuine eile, aon tallann amháin do dhuine eile – do gach duine de réir an chumais a bhí ann – agus d’fhág an tír. Seal fada ina dhiaidh sin, tháinig máistir na seirbhíseach sin ag réiteach cuntas leo. Tháinig fear na gcúig thallann ina láthair agus thairg cúig thallann eile aige chuige agus ar seisean: ‘A mháistir, d’fhág tú cúig thallann ar iontaoibh agamsa; seo duit cúig cinn eile a ghnóthaigh mé.’
Labhair a mháistir leis: ‘Go han-mhaith; dea-sheirbhíseach iontaofa thú: bhí tú iontaofa i mbun beagán nithe; ceapfaidh mé i do cheann thú ar mhórán; gabh isteach in aoibhneas do thiarna.’
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chríost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
