Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Oct 21 - St Fintan (or Munnu) abbot of Taghmon d. 635
Summary: St Fintan. There seem to have been at least two Fintans if not three in the ancient Irish Church - one associated with Clonenagh in Co Laois and another with Taghmon in south Co. Wexford, who is also called St Munnu. A possible third is associated with the church in Doon in Co Limerick.
Patrick Duffy looks at some of the traditions about the second Fintan, called Munnu.
Early Formation
Munnu was a saint of the Cenél Conaill branch of the Northern Uí Néill. His father was Tulchán, whose family was connected with the barony of Corkaroe in Co Westmeath and his mother was Fidelma, also of the Uí Néill. He studied under Comgall of Bangor and under Colmcille at Cleenish in Lough Erne under Sinell.
A Monk at Iona 597
Adamnan tells how Munnu was about to sail for Iona to enter Columba's community when he met two Iona Monks. Asking if Columba was well, they replied he was very well, since he died a few days earlier and was in heaven. They all sat down and wept bitterly. Munnu went on to Iona, but was refused entry by the new abbot Báithéne. Columba had decided before his death that Munnu should not enter Iona, on the grounds that he had the capacity to form his own community.
A Foundation near his Home
Back in Ireland Munnu founded a monastery at Taughmon near Crookedwood in Co Westmeath, where there is still the ruin of a St Munnu's Church.
Kilgavan, Co Wexford
After that he went south into Wexford where he lived for a time with the familia Comgalli at a monastery called Ard Crema, which has been identified with a site at Kilgowan or Kilgavan near Carrick-on-Bannow. He must have dealt harshly with the monks here as after being their abbot for twelve years they asked him to leave. He didn't go without calling down a curse on them.
Teach Munnu (Taghmon), Co Wexford
He then moved to a place called Achadh Liathdroim and it was here that he remained for the rest of his days and he ruled with a rod of iron. It was later named after him as Teach Munnu and housed about 230 monks. Toward the end of his life Munnu was afflicted with leprosy, which was common enough in medieval Ireland.
Figure of Controversy
[caption id="attachment_51440" align="alignright" width="318"]
The Martyrology of Tallaght[/caption]
Munnu was a figure of controversy in the dispute about fixing the date of Easter. A synod held at Mag Lée near Durrow in 630 agreed to accept the Roman way of computing Easter, but Munnu held out for the traditional Irish way. This angered the abbots who had made the agreement. Cummian, abbot of Durrow, writing in 632 to Segéne, sixth abbot of Iona, described Munnu as "a certain whited wall" (paries dealbatus).
This referred both to his leprosy and to his hypocrisy in pretending to preserve the tradition of the elders.
The "hard men" of Irish Hagiography
According to the Martyrology of Tallaght, Fintan of Clonenagh, who had the name of being the "hard man" among the Celtic abbots, is said to have made a pact of unity (oentas) with Munnu - another hard man - so that the name of each was given to the other, in commemorationem societatis: Fintan took the name Munnu or Munda as one of his epithets and Munnu took on the name Fintan. Both enjoy the dubious reputation of being the "hard men" of Irish hagiography.
Patrick Duffy looks at some of the traditions about the second Fintan, called Munnu.
Early Formation
Munnu was a saint of the Cenél Conaill branch of the Northern Uí Néill. His father was Tulchán, whose family was connected with the barony of Corkaroe in Co Westmeath and his mother was Fidelma, also of the Uí Néill. He studied under Comgall of Bangor and under Colmcille at Cleenish in Lough Erne under Sinell.A Monk at Iona 597
Adamnan tells how Munnu was about to sail for Iona to enter Columba's community when he met two Iona Monks. Asking if Columba was well, they replied he was very well, since he died a few days earlier and was in heaven. They all sat down and wept bitterly. Munnu went on to Iona, but was refused entry by the new abbot Báithéne. Columba had decided before his death that Munnu should not enter Iona, on the grounds that he had the capacity to form his own community.
A Foundation near his Home
Back in Ireland Munnu founded a monastery at Taughmon near Crookedwood in Co Westmeath, where there is still the ruin of a St Munnu's Church.
Kilgavan, Co Wexford
After that he went south into Wexford where he lived for a time with the familia Comgalli at a monastery called Ard Crema, which has been identified with a site at Kilgowan or Kilgavan near Carrick-on-Bannow. He must have dealt harshly with the monks here as after being their abbot for twelve years they asked him to leave. He didn't go without calling down a curse on them.
Teach Munnu (Taghmon), Co Wexford
He then moved to a place called Achadh Liathdroim and it was here that he remained for the rest of his days and he ruled with a rod of iron. It was later named after him as Teach Munnu and housed about 230 monks. Toward the end of his life Munnu was afflicted with leprosy, which was common enough in medieval Ireland.
Figure of Controversy
[caption id="attachment_51440" align="alignright" width="318"]
The Martyrology of Tallaght[/caption]Munnu was a figure of controversy in the dispute about fixing the date of Easter. A synod held at Mag Lée near Durrow in 630 agreed to accept the Roman way of computing Easter, but Munnu held out for the traditional Irish way. This angered the abbots who had made the agreement. Cummian, abbot of Durrow, writing in 632 to Segéne, sixth abbot of Iona, described Munnu as "a certain whited wall" (paries dealbatus).
This referred both to his leprosy and to his hypocrisy in pretending to preserve the tradition of the elders.
The "hard men" of Irish Hagiography
According to the Martyrology of Tallaght, Fintan of Clonenagh, who had the name of being the "hard man" among the Celtic abbots, is said to have made a pact of unity (oentas) with Munnu - another hard man - so that the name of each was given to the other, in commemorationem societatis: Fintan took the name Munnu or Munda as one of his epithets and Munnu took on the name Fintan. Both enjoy the dubious reputation of being the "hard men" of Irish hagiography.
____________________________________
******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
Contradictions put us at the foot of the Cross,
And the Cross of Jesus lifts us up to heaven.
~ St John Vianney ~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 21st October, 2026
Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 3:2-12
The mystery of Christ has now been revealed means that pagans now share the same inheritance.
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery, as I have just described it very shortly.
If you read my word you will have some idea of the depths that I see in the mystery of Christ. This that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel. I have been made the servant of that gospel by a gift of grace from God who gave it to me by his own power. I, who am less than the least of all the saints have been entrusted with this special grace, not only of proclaiming to the pagans the infinite treasure of Christ but also of explaining how the mystery is to be dispensed.
Through all the ages, this has been kept hidden in God, the creator of everything. Why? So that the Sovereignties and Powers should learn only now, through the Church, how comprehensive God's wisdom really is, exactly according to the plan which he had had from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is why we are bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Is 12: 2-6. R/v 3
Response With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
1. Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear.
For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my saviour.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Response
2. Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name! make his mighty deeds known to the peoples!
Declare the greatness of his name, sing a psalm to the Lord! Response
3. For he has done glorious deeds, made them known to all the earth!
People of Zion, sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Response
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me.
Alleluia!
or Mt 24: 42
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stay awake and stand ready, because you do not know the hour
when the Son of Man is coming.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 12:39-48 Glory to you, O Lord
When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him
Jesus said to his disciples: You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house.
You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'
Peter said,
'Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?'
The Lord replied,
'What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master's arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns.
But as for the servant who says to himself,My master is taking his time coming", and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know.
The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.
The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes.
When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him;
when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him'.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
********************
Gospel Reflection Wednesday Twenty Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 12:39-48
A section of today’s gospel reading seems to be addressed to those who have positions of leadership in the church. They are stewards whose responsibility it is to give those in God’s household ‘their allowance of food at the proper time’. This could be understood as both material and spiritual food. If they abuse their authority, there will be serious consequences for them.
In one of his letters, Saint Paul declares, ‘Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy’ (I Cor 4:1-2). In today’s first reading we find Paul exercising his stewardship of God’s mysteries. He refers to ‘the depths that I see in the mystery of God’. He succinctly expresses this ‘mystery’ as ‘the infinite treasure of Christ’. Paul is reminding us that there are depths to the gospel which we will never fully explore in this earthly life. There is a treasure here which is infinite and can never be fully exhausted on this side of eternity.
In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul refers to Christ as the ‘wisdom of God’ (1:24). In our reading he wonders at ‘how comprehensive God’s wisdom really is’. There is a wonderful treasure here and, to some extent, every member of the church is a steward of this treasure. We are asked to value the ‘infinite treasure of Christ’ above all earthly treasure, by being attentive and alert to the presence of Christ in our lives, our church and our world. In the words of the gospel reading, we are to stand ready for his coming, not just his coming at the end of time or at the end of our lives, but his daily coming throughout our lives.
________________________________
The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings ; The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
________________
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 21st October, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na hEifísigh 3:2-12
Tá rún Chríost nochtaithe anois.
A bhráithre, tá iomrá cloiste agaibh, ní foláir, ar an gcúram a thug Dia mar ghrásta dom in bhur
gcomhair agus mar a thug sé fios a rúin dom in aisling. Tá scríofa agam faoi seo go hachomair cheana agus má léann sibh é féadfaidh sibh mo léargas-sa ar rúndiamhair Chríost a thuiscint. Níor tugadh fios an rúin seo do na glúinte daoine a chuaigh romhainn ach tá sé arna nochtadh ag Dia anois faoi luí an Spioraid dá aspail naofa agus dá fháithe. Agus is é rún é: gur comhoidhrí na gintlithe, gur comhbhaill den aon chorp iad agus go bhfuil siad comhpháirteach sa ghealltanas i gCríost Íosa tríd an dea-scéal. Rinneadh maor ar an dea-scéal sin díomsa nuair a bhronn Dia a ghrásta orm le héifeacht a chumhachta féin. Is mé an duine is dearóile de na naoimh go léir, ach is domsa a tugadh an grásta seo: saibhreas dochuimsithe Chríost a fhógairt do na gintlithe agus leagan amach an rúin a léiriú do chách.
Bhí an rún seo folaithe leis na cianta i nDia a chruthaigh gach a bhfuil ann, dtreo go bhfaigheadh tiarnais agus údaráis na spéire eolas anois tríd an Eaglais ar eagna ilghnéitheach Dé de réir an bheartais shíoraí a chuir sé i bhfeidhm i gCríost Íosa ár dTiarna. Is é Críost a bheir dúinn a bheith teann de bharr ár gcreidimh agus dul go muiníneach i láthair Dé.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le freagra Is 12: 2-6. R/v 3
Freagra Beidh sibh ag tarraingt uisce go lúcháireach as toibreacha an tslánaithe.
1. An bhfeiceann sibh, is é Dia mo shlánaitheoir, tá muinín agam agus nílim eaglach níos mó,
óir is é an Tiarna mo neart agus mo cheol; is é mo shlánú é.”
Agus beidh sibh ag tarraingt uisce go lúcháireach as toibreacha an tslánaithe. Freagra
2. “Tugaigí buíochas don Tiarna, glaoigí air ina ainm!
Fógraígí a éachtaí don phobal, meabhraígí gurb oirirc dá ainm. Freagra
3. Canaigí don Tiarna, óir tá iontais déanta aige; ní mór iad a fhoilsiú ar fud an domhain iomláin.
Gáirigí le háthas agus liúirigí, sibhse a bhfuil cónaí oraibh i Síón,
óir is mór le rá é in bhur measc Neach Naofa Iosrael.” Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 12:39-48 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
An té ar tugadh mórán dó, beifear ag lorg mórán uaidh, agus an té ar taobhaíodh mórán leis, iarrfar níos mó air.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
Bíodh a fhios agaibh é seo: dá mb’eol don fhear tí cén uair a thiocfadh an bithiúnach, ní cheadódh sé a theach a bhriseadh isteach. Bígí sibhse ullamh freisin, óir is ar an uair nach síleann sibh a thiocfaidh Mac an Duine.”
Dúirt Peadar ansin: “A Thiarna, an linne atá tú ag tagairt an pharabail seo, nó le cách eile chomh maith?”
Dúirt an Tiarna:
“Cé hé más ea, an maor úd atá iontaofa géarchúiseach a gceapfaidh an máistir os cionn a lucht tís é chun a gcion den arbhar a thabhairt dóibh i dtráth? Is méanar don seirbhíseach sin a bhfaighidh a mháistir é ag déanamh amhlaidh ar theacht dó.Deirim libh go dearfa, ceapfaidh sé os cionn a mhaoine go léir é. Ach má deir an seirbhíseach sin ina chroí: ‘Is é an teacht mall ag mo mháistir é,’ agus go dtosóidh ag bualadh na mbuachaillí aimsire agus na gcailíní, agus ag ithe agus ag ól agus ag meisceoireacht, tiocfaidh máistir an tseirbhísigh sin sa lá nach mbíonn súil aige leis agus ar an uair nach eol dó, agus coscróidh sé é, agus tabharfaidh cion na míthairiseach dó.
An seirbhíseach sin arbh eol dó toil a mháistir agus nach ndearna ullmhú ná beart de réir a thola, gabhfar de mhórán buillí air;
ach an té nárbh eol dó í agus a rinne nithe ba dhíol buillí, gabhfar de bheagán buillí air.
An té ar tugadh mórán dó, beifear ag lorg mórán uaidh, agus an té ar taobhaíodh mórán leis, iarrfar níos mó air.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 25th October, 2026
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Exodus 22:20-26
If you are harsh with the widow or orphan; my anger will flare against you.
The Lord said to Moses, Tell the sons of Israel this,"You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt.
You must not be harsh with the widow, or with the orphan; if you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me, and be sure I shall hear their cry; my anger will flare and I shall kill you with the sword, your own wives will be widows, your own children orphans.
"If you lend money to any of my people, to any poor man among you, you must not play the usurer with him: you must not demand interest from him.
"If you take another's cloak as a pledge, you must give it back to him before sunset. It is all the covering he has; it is the cloak he wraps his body in; what else would he sleep in? If he cries to me, I will listen, for I am full of pity.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 17;2-4. 47. 51. R/v 2
Response I love you, Lord, my strength.
1. I love you, Lord, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my saviour.
My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.
The Lord is worthy of all praise: when I call I am saved from my foes. Response
2. Long life to the Lord, my rock! Praised be the God who saves me.
He has given great victories to his king and shown his love for his anointed. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 1:5-10
You broke with idolatry and became servants of God; you are now waiting for his Son.
You observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your
instruction, and you were led to become imitators of us, and of the Lord; and it was with the joy of the Holy Spirit that you took to the gospel, in spite of the great opposition all round you. This has made you the great example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread - and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
or Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 22:34-40 Glory to you, O Lord
'You must love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself.
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees they got together and,
to disconcert him, one of them put a question,
'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?'
Jesus said, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.'
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, 1967 and 1968 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, 25th October, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Exodus 22:20-26
Má dhéanann tú iad a bhuaireamh agus godtagann a nglao chugam, éistfidh mé leo
Dúirt an Tiarna le Maois: Abair é seo le clann Isráel:Ná déan éagóir ar dheoraí ná leatrom, mar ba dheoraithe sibh féin i gcríocha na hÉigipte. Ná ciap baintreach ná dílleachta. Má dhéanann tú iad a bhuaireamh agus godtagann a nglao chugam, éistfidh mé leo, éistfead sin. Adhnfaidh m’fhearg agus maróidh mé sibh leis an gclaíomh, agus fágfar bhur mná gan chéile agus bhur gclann gan athair.
Má thugann tú iasacht airgid d’aon bhochtán de mo phobal le d’ais, ná himir cleas an úsaire air agus ná héiligh ús uaidh.
Má thogann tú riamh brat duine mar gheall tabhair ar ais dó é roimh luí na gréine;
óir sin a bhfuil aige d’éadach, sin é an brat a bhíonn faoina chorp aige, agus cad eile atá aige le codladh ann?
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 17;2-4. 47. 51. R/v 2
Freagra Mo ghrá thú, a Thiarna, mo neart thú.
I. Mo ghrá thú, a Thiarna, mo neart thú,
mo charraig thú, mo dhaingean is mo shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Mo Dhia thú, mo charraig, is mo dhídean;
mo sciath, adharc me shlánaithe, mo dhún.
Glaoim ar an Tiarna dar dleacht moladh
agus déantar mo shaoradh ó mo naimhdé. Freagra
3. Go maire an Tiarna! Is é mo charraig é!
Go raibh Dia mo shlánaitheoir á mhóradh.
Thug sé caithréimeanna dá Rí
agus nocht sé a ghrá dá Ungthach. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an céad litir Naomh Pól chuig na Teasalónaigh 1:5-10
Chun feitheamh lena Mhac Íosa a theacht ó na flaithis
A bhráithre, tá a fhios agaibhse mar a thugamar ár saol, fad a bhíomar in bhur measc,
mhaithe libh. Agus rinne sibhse aithris orainn agus ar an Tiarna, mar d’ainneoin gach anacra ghlac sibh leis an mbriathar uainn le lúcháir an Spioraid Naoimh, sa tslí go raibh sibh mar shampla ag a bhfuil de chreidmhigh sa Mhacadóin agus in Acháia. Mar is uaibhse amach a leath briathar Dé, agus ní sa Mhacadóin agus in Acháia amháin é, mar tá scéal bhur gcreidimh i nDia scaipthe san uile áit, i dtreo nach gá dúinne aon ní a rá faoi. Tá na daoine féin ag cur síos ar an bhfáilte a chuir sibh romhainn agus mar a chas sibh ar Dhia ó na déithe bréige chun dul ag seirbhís don fhíor Dhia beo agus chun feitheamh lena Mhac Íosa a theacht ó na flaithis – an Mac a thóg sé ó mhairbh agus atá dár bhfuascailt ón bhfearg atá le teacht.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Gniom 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Oscail ár gcroí, A Thiarna, Cun aird a thabhairt ar bhraithra do Mhic
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 22:34-40
Gráóidh tú do Thiarna Dia agus gráóidh tú do chomharsa mar thú féin
San am sin nuair a chuala na Fairisínigh nár fhág Íosa focal ag na Sadúcaigh, chruinnigh siad féin le chéile, agus duine acu, a bhí ina dhlíodóir, chuir sé ceist air ag baint trialach as:
“A Mháistir, cén aithne mhór sa dhlí?”
Dúirt sé leis:
“‘Gráóidh tú do Thiarna Dia ó do chroí go hiomlán agus
ó d’anam go hiomlán agus ó d’aigne go hiomlán’ –
is í sin an aithne mhór agus an phríomhaithne.
Agus is cosúil léise an dara ceann:
‘Gráóidh tú do chomharsa mar thú féin.’ Ag brath ar an dá aithne sin atá an dlí ar fad agus na fáithe.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
