Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Apr 6 - Bl Michael Rua (1837-1910)
Summary :Michael Rua, disciple of and succesor to St Don Bosco. Michael was one of the boys who at fifteen came to live with St John Bosco in his Oratory in Turin and later became his close associate in the setting up and early guidance of the Society of Don Bosco (Salesians), one of the biggest religious orders in the world.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Enters the Oratory
Michael Rua was born in Turin on 9th June 1837, the last of nine children. His father, who worked in a munitions factory, died when he was only eight. Michael would have gone to work in the arms factory in Turin, but in 1852 he met with Don Bosco, who suggested Michael join his school at the Oratory and he did.
"We Two will Go Halves in Everything"
One day Don Bosco was giving out little medals and Michael, who was late and at the end of the line, thought he heard him say, "Take, Michelino". The priest stood there but he didn't give him anything. Then he said to him, "We two will go halves in everything". And that was how it turned out. Michael went on to become the founder's close friend and associate. He was among the first few with whom Don Bosco shared the idea of forming a Salesian Society. The order was called after Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), who had a genius for converting souls through kindness and persuasion.
Inspired by Don Bosco
Michael Rua joined the other first Salesians at seventeen, and, inspired by Don Bosco's example, he spent his days at the youth club, morning and evening classes, supervising theatre or music rehearsals, gymnastics, lively outdoor games, solitary study, along with frequent reception of the sacraments. "I got much more from observing Don Bosco, even in the humblest of actions," Rua later said, "than from reading and meditating on a treatise on asceticism."
Close Collaborator
Rua was Don Bosco's closest collaborator in the development of the new Salesian congregation over the next thirty-six years. He made his first profession in 1855, was the first spiritual director of the Society at the age of 22 years (1859), was ordained priest in 1860. At 26 became the rector of the college at Mirabello in Emilia-Romagna, the first Salesian foundation outside Turin.
Illness
In 1865, Michael returned to Turin to rejoin Don Bosco, who was ill and over-burdened with work. He re-organised the house at Valdocco, a youth club with a boarding school of seven hundred students whose spirit had declined. With remarkable tact, he restored good discipline.
But in July 1868, Don Rua's constant activity got the better of his strength and he was confined to bed with a sudden attack of peritonitis. The doctors gave him only a few hours to live. But Don Bosco asserted, "Listen, Don Rua, even if you were thrown out the window just as you are, I assure you that you won't die." A few days later, despite the doctor's prognosis, the patient recovered.
Differences in Character
Although the two men were close, each kept his own personality and sometimes were in opposition. Where Don Bosco would focus on the work of the day and was audacious in his projects, Don Rua was prudent, calculating, and foresaw and forestalled the problems he saw coming down the track.
Successor to Don Bosco
When Don Bosco died, Pope Leo XIII, honouring his request, designated Michael as his successor.
"The Living Rule"
Nicknamed "The Living Rule" because of his austere fidelity, Don Michael Rua was also known for his fatherliness and goodness. As the numbers of members and communities increased, he sent Salesians all over the world, showing special care for the missionary expeditions. In the long and difficult journeys which he undertook to visit the Salesian works in Europe and in the Middle East, he was a constant source of comfort and encouragement, always taking inspiration from the Founder with words like: "Don Bosco used to say... Don Bosco used to do it this way... Don Bosco wanted..."
Years of Suffering
These were years of great suffering. In 1895, a Salesian priest was murdered by a mentally ill student. Five months later, Bishop Lasagna, one of the great hopes of the Salesian society, his secretary, and four sisters of Mary Help of Christians, were victims of a train accident. Then, a flood in Argentina destroyed the material results of ten years of missionary work. In France, the so-called Law of Associations (June 2, 1901) required the closing and sale of the Salesian establishments. In 1907, a scandal in a high school stirred up a violent storm of protest against the Salesians all across Italy. He vowed to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, if the honour of his religious family was fully restored. It was, and he fulfilled his vow in 1908.
Growth of the Society, Death and Influence
When Michael Rua died on 6th April 1910 at the age of 73, the Society had grown from 773 to 4000 Salesians, from 57 to 345 communities, from 6 to 34 Provinces in 33 countries. His body is venerated in the crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco in Turin. Don Rua was beatified by Pope Paul VI on October 29, 1972.
Today the Salesians are one of the third largest missionary societies in the world, with about 18,000 members and some are involved in the work of the Curia in Rome.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Enters the Oratory
Michael Rua was born in Turin on 9th June 1837, the last of nine children. His father, who worked in a munitions factory, died when he was only eight. Michael would have gone to work in the arms factory in Turin, but in 1852 he met with Don Bosco, who suggested Michael join his school at the Oratory and he did."We Two will Go Halves in Everything"
One day Don Bosco was giving out little medals and Michael, who was late and at the end of the line, thought he heard him say, "Take, Michelino". The priest stood there but he didn't give him anything. Then he said to him, "We two will go halves in everything". And that was how it turned out. Michael went on to become the founder's close friend and associate. He was among the first few with whom Don Bosco shared the idea of forming a Salesian Society. The order was called after Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), who had a genius for converting souls through kindness and persuasion.
Inspired by Don Bosco
Michael Rua joined the other first Salesians at seventeen, and, inspired by Don Bosco's example, he spent his days at the youth club, morning and evening classes, supervising theatre or music rehearsals, gymnastics, lively outdoor games, solitary study, along with frequent reception of the sacraments. "I got much more from observing Don Bosco, even in the humblest of actions," Rua later said, "than from reading and meditating on a treatise on asceticism."
Close CollaboratorRua was Don Bosco's closest collaborator in the development of the new Salesian congregation over the next thirty-six years. He made his first profession in 1855, was the first spiritual director of the Society at the age of 22 years (1859), was ordained priest in 1860. At 26 became the rector of the college at Mirabello in Emilia-Romagna, the first Salesian foundation outside Turin.
Illness
In 1865, Michael returned to Turin to rejoin Don Bosco, who was ill and over-burdened with work. He re-organised the house at Valdocco, a youth club with a boarding school of seven hundred students whose spirit had declined. With remarkable tact, he restored good discipline.
But in July 1868, Don Rua's constant activity got the better of his strength and he was confined to bed with a sudden attack of peritonitis. The doctors gave him only a few hours to live. But Don Bosco asserted, "Listen, Don Rua, even if you were thrown out the window just as you are, I assure you that you won't die." A few days later, despite the doctor's prognosis, the patient recovered.
Differences in Character
Although the two men were close, each kept his own personality and sometimes were in opposition. Where Don Bosco would focus on the work of the day and was audacious in his projects, Don Rua was prudent, calculating, and foresaw and forestalled the problems he saw coming down the track.
Successor to Don Bosco
When Don Bosco died, Pope Leo XIII, honouring his request, designated Michael as his successor.
"The Living Rule"
Nicknamed "The Living Rule" because of his austere fidelity, Don Michael Rua was also known for his fatherliness and goodness. As the numbers of members and communities increased, he sent Salesians all over the world, showing special care for the missionary expeditions. In the long and difficult journeys which he undertook to visit the Salesian works in Europe and in the Middle East, he was a constant source of comfort and encouragement, always taking inspiration from the Founder with words like: "Don Bosco used to say... Don Bosco used to do it this way... Don Bosco wanted..."
Years of Suffering
These were years of great suffering. In 1895, a Salesian priest was murdered by a mentally ill student. Five months later, Bishop Lasagna, one of the great hopes of the Salesian society, his secretary, and four sisters of Mary Help of Christians, were victims of a train accident. Then, a flood in Argentina destroyed the material results of ten years of missionary work. In France, the so-called Law of Associations (June 2, 1901) required the closing and sale of the Salesian establishments. In 1907, a scandal in a high school stirred up a violent storm of protest against the Salesians all across Italy. He vowed to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, if the honour of his religious family was fully restored. It was, and he fulfilled his vow in 1908.
Growth of the Society, Death and InfluenceWhen Michael Rua died on 6th April 1910 at the age of 73, the Society had grown from 773 to 4000 Salesians, from 57 to 345 communities, from 6 to 34 Provinces in 33 countries. His body is venerated in the crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco in Turin. Don Rua was beatified by Pope Paul VI on October 29, 1972.
Today the Salesians are one of the third largest missionary societies in the world, with about 18,000 members and some are involved in the work of the Curia in Rome.
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Memorable Saying for Today
Science can purify religion from error and superstition
Religion can purify science idolatry and false absolutes.
~ Pope John Paul II ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 6th April, 2026
Easter Monday
Jesus sends the 'women' on the mission to tell the disciples about his Rising,
making them his chosen first witnesses. Alleluia
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-32
God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice:
'Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say:
Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:
I saw the Lord before me always, for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me. So my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy; my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades nor allow your holy one to experience corruption.
You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence.
'Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried:
his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that.
'Now raised to the heights by God's right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:1-2, 5, 7-11 R/v 1
Response Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
Or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: 'You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.' Response
2. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. Response
3. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. Response
4. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 117: 24
Alleluia, Alleluia!
This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 28: 8-15 Glory to you, O Lord
Tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.
Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples.
And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus.
'Greetings' he said.And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet.
Then Jesus said to them,
'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there'.
While they were on their way, some of the guard went off into the city to tell the chief priests all that had happened. These held a meeting with the elders and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers with these instructions,
This is what you must say,
"His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep."
And should the governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.'
The soldiers took the money and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the Jews.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Easter Monday Matthew 28:8-15
There is a strong contrast in today’s gospel reading between the actions of a group of women and the actions of a group of men. The women fall down before the risen Lord and clasp his feet; they then respond immediately to the Lord’s command to go to the disciples and announce to them that he is going to meet them all in Galilee. Matthew portrays them as worshipping the Lord and then going out as his messengers in response to his call. They model for us our own Easter calling. We gather to worship the Lord, to fall down before him like the women. We go forth from our worship to proclaim the good news that the Lord is risen and wants to meet us not just in Galilee but in all the places where we live and work.
In contrast to the women, the group of men, both soldiers and elders, conspire between them to spread a false story about Jesus’ disciples stealing his body. They are not open to the good news that Jesus is risen; they cannot take seriously anyone who says, as Mary Magdalene said, ‘I have seen the Lord’. There are versions of that false story around to this day, pouring scorn on the central core of our faith, ‘the crucified one has been raised from the dead’.
It is a counter story to the story of the gospels,
~ the women’s story in today’s gospel reading,
~the story of Peter,
~the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus,
~the story of Paul.
It is in and through those stories that we continue to meet the risen Lord.
It is to those stories we give our minds and hearts and souls, so that we may have life and have it to the full.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The 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/
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 6th April, 2026
Luain, Seachtain na Cásca,
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:14. 22-32
Thóg Dia an Íosa seo ó mhairbh, rud a bhfuilimidne go léir inár bhfinnéithe air.
Lá Cincíse d’éirigh Peadar ina sheasamh i gcuideachta an Aon Duine Dhéag agus labhair leo de ghuth ard:
“A fheara Iúdá,” ar seisean, “agus a mhuintir uile Iarúsailéim, bíodh a fhios agaibh é seo agus tugaigí cluas dá bhfuil á rá agamsa: “A fheara Iosrael, éistigí leis na briathra seo: Fear ab ea Íosa Nazórach ar thug Dia féin teastas daoibh air leis na míorúiltí agus na héachtaí agus na fearta a rinne Dia tríd fad a bhí sé in bhur measc, mar is eol daoibh féin. Nuair a tugadh suas daoibh é de réir chomhairle cinnte agus réamheolas Dé, chuir sibh chun báis é, á thairneáil ar an gcrois trí lámha mallaitheoirí. Ach thóg Dia ó na mairbh é agus d’fhuascail ó arraingeacha an bháis é, mar níorbh fhéidir go gcoinneodh an bás faoina smacht é. Mar is é a deir Dáiví faoi:
“Choinnigh mé mo shúile ar an Tiarna de shíor.
Tá sé ar mo dheasláimh, i dtreo nach suaithfear mé.
Tá gliondar ar mo chroí dá chionn agus tá meidhir ar mo theanga.
Tá mo cholainn féin faoi shuaimhneas le dóchas,
mar ní fhágfaidh tú mé i riocht na marbh
ná ní ligfidh tú do do neach naofa an meathlú a fhulaingt.
Thaispeáin tú dom bóthar na beatha agus líonfaidh tú mé le háthas i do láthair.
“Ní miste a rá libh go neamhbhalbh, a bhráithre, go bhfuair ár n-ardathair Dáiví bás, gur adhlacadh é agus go bhfuil a thuama anseo againn go dtí an lá inniu. Ach ó tharla gurbh fháidh é agus a fhios aige gur mhionnaigh Dia dó go gcuirfeadh sé duine dá shliocht ar a ríchathaoir, is ag cur síos a bhí sé, as a réamheolas, ar aiséirí Chríost mar ‘níor fágadh i riocht na marbh é agus níor fhulaing a cholainn an meathlú’. Thóg Dia an Íosa seo ó mhairbh, rud a bhfuilimidne go léir inár bhfinnéithe air.
Agus tar éis a ardaithe ar dheis Dé, fuair sé óna Athair an Spiorad a bhí geallta agus dhoirt amach orainne é agus is é sin atá á fheiceáil agus á chloisteáil agaibhse.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 15:1-2, 5, 7-11 R/v 1
Freagra. Caomhnaigh mé a Thiarna, is ort a thriallaim.
Malairt freagra Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Caomhnaigh mé a Thiarna, is ort a thriallaim. Deirim leis an Tiarna: “Is tú mo Dhia.
Is é an Tiarna is rogha liom, mo chuid de réir oidhreachta; agus cuid mo chupáin; is ort atá mo sheasamh. Freagra
2. Tugaim buíochas don Tiarna as ucht comhairle a thabhairt dom, agus teagasc a thabhairt do mo chroí san oíche.
Coimeádaim an Tiarna de shíor i m’intinn: agus é ar mo dheasláimh ní chorrófar mé choíche. Freagra
3. Tá gairdeas ar mo chroí agus áthas ar m’anam; agus ligfidh mo cholainn a scíth faoi dhóchas.
Óir ní fhágfaidh tú m’anam i measc na marbh ná ní ligfidh tú do do mhuirneach truailliú a fheiceáil. Freagra
4. Taispeánfaidh tú slí na beatha dom; tá lúcháir go fial i do láthair agus aoibhneas ar do dheasláimh go brách. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 28:8-15 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Beirigí scéala chun mo bhráithre iad a dhul go dtí an Ghailíl, agus feicfidh siad ansiúd mé.
San am sin d’fhág na mná an tuama go tapa, agus uamhan agus ardáthas orthu, agus iad ag rith le fios an scéil chun a dheisceabal.
Agus seo Íosa ag teacht faoina ndéin go ndúirt:
“Sé bhur mbeatha!”Dhruid siad ina aice agus rug siad barróg ar a chosa ag umhlú dó.
Dúirt Íosa leo ansin:
“Ná bíodh eagla oraibh! Imígí, beirigí scéala chun mo bhráithre iad a dhul go dtí an Ghailíl, agus feicfidh siad ansiúd mé.”
Le linn dóibh sin bheith ag imeacht, seo isteach sa chathair cuid den gharda, agus d’inis siad an scéal go léir do na hardsagairt. Chruinnigh siadsan agus na seanóirí le chéile agus tar éis an scéal a phlé, thug siad fáltas maith airgid do na saighdiúirí ag rá: Is é a déarfaidh sibh:
‘Tháinig a chuid deisceabal san oíche agus sinne inár gcodladh agus d’fhuadaigh siad é.’ Agus má thagann guth an scéil seo chun an ghobharnóra, cuirfimidne comhairle air agus saorfaimid sibhse ó imní.”
Ghlac siad an t-airgead agus rinne de réir mar a dúradh leo, agus bíonn an scéal á reic i measc na nGiúdach go dtí an lá inniu.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 12th April, 2026
Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
The struggle for faith experienced by Thomas leads us to think on the meaning of faith in the risen Christ. We cannot depend on physical experience of Christ but we can know his presence in gathered community, in the hearing of the word and in sacramental signs. So the Christian community is a thankful one, always blessing God for a sure hope through the resurrection of Christ.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47
The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common.
The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone. The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 117: 2-4. 13-15. 22-24. R/v 1
Response Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Let the sons of Israel say: 'His love has no end.'
Let the sons of Aaron say: 'His love has no end,'
Let those who fear the Lord say: 'His love has no end.' Response
2. I was thrust, thrust down and falling but the Lord was my helper.
The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just. Response
3. The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 1:3-9
In his great mercy God has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God's power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold - only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire - and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 20: 29
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Jesus said to him: 'You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.'
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to John 20:19-31 Glory to you, O Lord
Eight days later, Jesus came.
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them.
He said to them, 'Peace be with you', and showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again,
'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.'
After saying this he breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, 'We have seen the Lord',he answered, 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe'.
Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them.
'Peace be with you' he said.
Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands.
Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.'
Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!'
Jesus said to him:
'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.'
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
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, 12th April, 2026
AN DARA DOMHNACH DEN CHAISC
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:42-47
Agus an méid a chreid, bhídís i bhfochair a chéile, agus bhíodh gach ulle núí I gcomhar acu.
Chloígh na bráithre seasmach le teagasc na n-aspal, le comaoin ar a chéile, le briseadh an aráin agus leis na hurnaithe. Is iomaí míorúilt agus éacht a bhí á dhéanamh ag na haspail, rud a chuir uamhan ar chách.Bhí na creidmhigh go léir in aon bhuíon le chéile agus bhí gach ní i bpáirt acu; dhíolaidís a gcuid sealúchais agus a gcuid maoine agus roinnidís a luach ar chách de réir mar a bhíodh aon duine acu ar an gcaolchuid.
Thagaidís le chéile in aon bhuíon sa Teampall gach lá ach bhrisidís arán i dtithe a chéile agus chaithidís a gcuid le chéile lemóráthas agus le sástacht chroí agus iad ag moladh Dé. Agus bhí gnaoi an phobail orthu. Agus ó lá go lá bhí an Tiarna ag cur le líon na ndaoine a bhí ar bhealach a slánaithe.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 117: 2-4. 13-15. 22-24. R/v 1
Freagra Tugaigí buíochas den Tiarna toisc gur maith é:
óir maireann a ghrá de shíor.
Malairt freagra : Alleluia
I. Bíodh teaghlach Isráél á rá: 'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.'
Bíodh teaghlach Árón á rá: 'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.'
Abradh an dream lerb eagal an Tiarna: 'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.' Freagra
2. Teilgeadh síos mé i dtreo is go dtitfinn, ach chuidigh an Tiarna liom.
Is é an Tiarna mo neart is mo mhisneach: is é a thug slán mé.
Cluintear gártha lúcháire is caithréime i bpubaill na bhfíréan. Freagra
3. An chloch dár dhiúltaigh na saoir, rinne ceann an chúinne di.
Is é an Tiarna a rinne é seo, agus is éachtach linne é.
Is é seo an lá a rinne an Tiarna: bíodh áthas is gliondar orainn. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peadar 1:3-9
D ‘athghin sé sinn trí aiséirI losa Críost ó mhairbh, ionas go mbeadh beomhuinín againn.
Moladh le Dia agus Athair ár dTiarna Íosa Críost!
D’athghin sé sinn as ucht a mhórthrócaire, trí aiséirí Íosa Críost ó mhairbh, chun bheomhuiníne agus chun oidhreachta atá marthanach dothruaillithe, gan síothlú, oidhreacht atá in áirithe daoibh sna flaithis. Tá sibh anois do bhur gcumhdach tríd an gcreideamh ag Dia na bhfeart, le haghaidh an tslánaithe atá réidh lena fhoilsiú ag deireadh ré. Is údar lúcháire agaibhse é seo, fiú más dobrónach féin sibh ar feadh tamaill bhig de bharr trialacha den uile chineál, d’fhonn go bhfaighfí fíormhianach bhur gcreidimh, atá níos luachmhaire ná ór – rud atá somhillte cé go dtástáiltear sa tine é – ag dul chun molta agus onóra agus glóire tráth a fhoilseofar Íosa Críost. Ní fhaca sibh é, ach tugann sibh grá dó; ní fheiceann sibh anois féin é, ach creideann sibh ann, agus is lúcháireach sibh le háthas glórmhar dolabhartha, agus slánú bhur n-anam á ghnóthú agaibh mar thoradh ar bhur gcreideamh.Alleluia Véarsa Eoin 20:29
Alleluia, Alleluia!
'De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú,' a deir an Tiarna.
'Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 20:19-31 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tráthnóna an lae chéanna, an chéad lá den tseachtain, tháinig Íosa.
Tráthnóna an lae chéanna, an chéad lá den tseachtain, agus na doirse faoi ghlas le heagla na nGiúdach, san áit ina raibh na deisceabail, tháinig Íosa agus sheas ina measc agus dúirt leo: “Síocháin daoibh!”
Á rá sin dó, thaispeáin sé dóibh a lámha agus a chliathán. Bhí áthas ar na deisceabail nuair a chonaic siad an Tiarna. Dúirt Íosa leo ansin arís:
“Síocháin daoibh! Amhail mar a chuir an tAthair uaidh mise, táimse do bhur gcursa uaim freisin.”
Arna rá sin dó, d’análaigh sé orthu agus dúirt leo:
“Glacaigí an Spiorad Naomh. Na daoine a maithfidh sibh a bpeacaí dóibh, beidh siad maite dóibh; na daoine a gcoinneoidh sibh a bpeacaí, beidh a bpeacaí coinnithe.”
Tomás, duine den dáréag ar a dtugtaí an Leathchúpla, ní raibh sé leo nuair a tháinig Íosa. Dúirt na deisceabail eile leis: “Chonaiceamar an Tiarna.”Ach dúirt seisean leo: “Mura bhfeicfidh mé rian na dtairní ar a dhearnana, agus mo mhéar a chur i bpoll na dtairní, agus mo lámh ina chliathán, ní chreidfidh mé.”
Ocht lá ina dhiaidh sin, bhí a dheisceabail istigh arís, agus Tomás in éineacht leo. Tháinig Íosa agus na doirse faoi ghlas, sheas sé ina measc agus dúirt:
“Síocháin daoibh!”
Ansin dúirt sé le Tomás:
“Tabhair i leith do mhéar agus féach mo dhearnana, sín amach do lámh agus cuir i mo chliathán í, agus ná bí díchreidmheach ach creidmheach.”
D’fhreagair Tomás: “Mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia!”
Dúirt Íosa leis:
“De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú. Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.”
Bhí go leor fearta eile fós a rinne Íosa os comhair a dheisceabal, agus níl aon chur síos orthu sa leabhar seo. Ach cuireadh an méid sin i scríbhinn chun go gcreidfeadh sibh gurb é Íosa an Criost, Mac Dé, agus á chreidiúint go mbeadh an bheatha agaibh ina ainm.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
