Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Nov 9 - Bl Elizabeth of the Trinity 1880-1906
Summary: Elizabeth of the Trinity, She spent six years as a Carmelite nun, but like St Thérèse of Lisieux she advanced in holiness in a very short time. As a child Elizabeth had a wicked temper. Once she experienced the sacrament of Penance and her First Communion, her 'conversion' began.
John Murray PP tells her story.
They were almost contemporaries, both of whom followed the way of Carmel. While St Thérèse Martin gave the world her 'little way', Elizabeth Catez was truly the 'prophet of the presence of God'. When Pope John Paul II beatified her on 25 November 1984, he presented her to the Church as one 'who led a life hidden with Christ in God'.
(The image left shows Elizabeth as a young woman in 1900. She died six years later.)
A Terror or a Saint!
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, who was born in France in 1880, did not have such auspicious beginnings. 'You will either be a terror or a saint,' her mother had said. The stubborn little girl who often demanded her own way, had inherited the military spirit of her ancestors. Her father Joseph had enlisted in the French army and had a successful military career, receiving the Legion of Honour in 1881. After the early death of her father, Elizabeth's outbursts of anger increased. However, once she experienced for the first time the sacrament of Penance, it brought about what she styled her 'conversion'. She henceforth began to struggle noticeably against her violent temper.
In the spring of 1891, when she was almost eleven years old, Elizabeth made her First Communion. She was profoundly affected by her first reception of Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Her mother later testified, 'From that day and afterwards there were no more fits of anger'.
Carmel Calling
On the day of her First Holy Communion, Elizabeth had also visited the Carmelite Nuns in her hometown of Dijon, France. The prioress a few days later would send a message to Elizabeth, writing on the back of a card,
'Your blessed name hides a mystery, accomplished on this great day. Child, your heart is the House of God on earth, of the God of love.'
At the age of fourteen Elizabeth decided to become a Carmelite nun, having heard the word 'Carmel' in her spirit one day after Communion. Her mother was determined that Elizabeth would not enter until she was twenty-one. Elizabeth calmly obeyed. The next few years were spent in the local parish and as a faithful companion to her mother. She attended family gatherings and played the piano for the guests. With her mother, Elizabeth visited Lourdes and was thrilled to receive Holy Communion at the Grotto.
In February 1900 the young aspirant to the Carmel of Dijon was introduced to a Dominican friar, a friend of the nuns. This two-hour conversation with Fr. Valee, O.P was to change her life and give her the direction for her future spirituality.
Trinity
Elizabeth asked for help in understanding her interior experience - her need for silence and recollection - and her sense of an inexplicable presence in the depth of her soul. The Dominican proceeded to deepen her awareness of the truth of the indwelling of the Trinity in the soul of the baptised: that not just Christ, but that all three of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Spirit - were present in love in her soul.
As she was waiting to enter her beloved Carmel, Elizabeth lived the life of a typical young, active Catholic laywoman of her time. She sang in two choirs in her parish; she helped prepare children for their First Communions, and she animated a type of 'day care' for the children of those who worked in the local factory. The personality of this energetic young woman had blossomed from her earlier years. It should be noted that Elizabeth was also a very gifted musician who could have made a career with her talent. From the age of seven, she studied music at the Conservatory of Dijon, winning several prizes for her skill at the piano. 'No one can interpret the great masters like Elizabeth,' wrote one admirer.
Home at Last
At last Elizabeth entered the Carmel convent. There she was at home. As a Carmelite she received the name of Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity and made her profession on the Feast of Epiphany, 1902.
From reading St. Paul, her great scriptural mentor, Sister Elizabeth discovered her vocation. She would be a 'Praise of Glory' or Laudem Gloriae, praising God dwelling within her offering a ceaseless Sanctus.
'God dwells within you, do not leave Him so often,' she advised. To another she wrote, 'It is wonderful to recall that, except for the vision of seeing God, we possess God as all the Saints in Heaven do. We can surely be with Him always and no one can take us away from Him. He dwells in our souls!'
She often referred to the Blessed Trinity as 'my Three'.
Secret for Peace
As a child, Elizabeth had found the strength to conquer her fiery temper only after having received the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist for the first time. As a Carmelite, she would read in Paul that it was Christ 'who made peace through the blood of his Cross' (Col l:20), making 'peace in my little heaven so that it may truly be the repose of the Three'.
Once she wrote to a friend, 'I am going to give you my "secret": think about this God who dwells within you, whose temple you are; St Paul speaks in this way, and we can believe it.'
The call to praise the glory of God also included the call to share in the redemptive sufferings of Christ, to be able to say like St Paul, 'In my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church' (Col 1:24) - and Sister Elizabeth had to accept suffering.
Addison's Disease
Early in 1906 it was noticed that Sister Elizabeth had become very weak. She made a retreat to prepare for the 'Eternal Retreat'. She suffered for months from Addison's Disease, a disease of the kidneys which at that time was incurable. As a result of this illness, Elizabeth suffered great fatigue, an inability to digest food, intense abdominal pains and great thirst.
During the last week of her life, Sister Elizabeth's stomach was very ulcerated, and yet she made frequent and lengthy visits to the Blessed Sacrament. On 31st October, she received the last rites. On 1st November, she made her confession and received Holy Communion for the last time. Elizabeth's last audible words before her death were, 'I am going to Light, to Love, to Life'.
Mission in Heaven
Elizabeth died on 9 November 1906, at the age of twenty-six, after having lived in Carmel for only five years. From her sick bed, She wrote to a fellow Carmelite,
'I think that in Heaven, my mission will be to draw souls by helping them go out of themselves to cling to God by a wholly simple and loving movement, and to keep them in this great silence within that will allow God to communicate Himself to them and transform them into Himself.'
John Murray PP tells her story.They were almost contemporaries, both of whom followed the way of Carmel. While St Thérèse Martin gave the world her 'little way', Elizabeth Catez was truly the 'prophet of the presence of God'. When Pope John Paul II beatified her on 25 November 1984, he presented her to the Church as one 'who led a life hidden with Christ in God'.
(The image left shows Elizabeth as a young woman in 1900. She died six years later.)
A Terror or a Saint!
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, who was born in France in 1880, did not have such auspicious beginnings. 'You will either be a terror or a saint,' her mother had said. The stubborn little girl who often demanded her own way, had inherited the military spirit of her ancestors. Her father Joseph had enlisted in the French army and had a successful military career, receiving the Legion of Honour in 1881. After the early death of her father, Elizabeth's outbursts of anger increased. However, once she experienced for the first time the sacrament of Penance, it brought about what she styled her 'conversion'. She henceforth began to struggle noticeably against her violent temper.
In the spring of 1891, when she was almost eleven years old, Elizabeth made her First Communion. She was profoundly affected by her first reception of Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Her mother later testified, 'From that day and afterwards there were no more fits of anger'.
Carmel Calling
On the day of her First Holy Communion, Elizabeth had also visited the Carmelite Nuns in her hometown of Dijon, France. The prioress a few days later would send a message to Elizabeth, writing on the back of a card,
'Your blessed name hides a mystery, accomplished on this great day. Child, your heart is the House of God on earth, of the God of love.'
At the age of fourteen Elizabeth decided to become a Carmelite nun, having heard the word 'Carmel' in her spirit one day after Communion. Her mother was determined that Elizabeth would not enter until she was twenty-one. Elizabeth calmly obeyed. The next few years were spent in the local parish and as a faithful companion to her mother. She attended family gatherings and played the piano for the guests. With her mother, Elizabeth visited Lourdes and was thrilled to receive Holy Communion at the Grotto.
In February 1900 the young aspirant to the Carmel of Dijon was introduced to a Dominican friar, a friend of the nuns. This two-hour conversation with Fr. Valee, O.P was to change her life and give her the direction for her future spirituality.
Trinity
Elizabeth asked for help in understanding her interior experience - her need for silence and recollection - and her sense of an inexplicable presence in the depth of her soul. The Dominican proceeded to deepen her awareness of the truth of the indwelling of the Trinity in the soul of the baptised: that not just Christ, but that all three of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Spirit - were present in love in her soul.
As she was waiting to enter her beloved Carmel, Elizabeth lived the life of a typical young, active Catholic laywoman of her time. She sang in two choirs in her parish; she helped prepare children for their First Communions, and she animated a type of 'day care' for the children of those who worked in the local factory. The personality of this energetic young woman had blossomed from her earlier years. It should be noted that Elizabeth was also a very gifted musician who could have made a career with her talent. From the age of seven, she studied music at the Conservatory of Dijon, winning several prizes for her skill at the piano. 'No one can interpret the great masters like Elizabeth,' wrote one admirer.
Home at Last
At last Elizabeth entered the Carmel convent. There she was at home. As a Carmelite she received the name of Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity and made her profession on the Feast of Epiphany, 1902.From reading St. Paul, her great scriptural mentor, Sister Elizabeth discovered her vocation. She would be a 'Praise of Glory' or Laudem Gloriae, praising God dwelling within her offering a ceaseless Sanctus.
'God dwells within you, do not leave Him so often,' she advised. To another she wrote, 'It is wonderful to recall that, except for the vision of seeing God, we possess God as all the Saints in Heaven do. We can surely be with Him always and no one can take us away from Him. He dwells in our souls!'
She often referred to the Blessed Trinity as 'my Three'.
Secret for Peace
As a child, Elizabeth had found the strength to conquer her fiery temper only after having received the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist for the first time. As a Carmelite, she would read in Paul that it was Christ 'who made peace through the blood of his Cross' (Col l:20), making 'peace in my little heaven so that it may truly be the repose of the Three'.
Once she wrote to a friend, 'I am going to give you my "secret": think about this God who dwells within you, whose temple you are; St Paul speaks in this way, and we can believe it.'
The call to praise the glory of God also included the call to share in the redemptive sufferings of Christ, to be able to say like St Paul, 'In my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church' (Col 1:24) - and Sister Elizabeth had to accept suffering.
Addison's Disease
Early in 1906 it was noticed that Sister Elizabeth had become very weak. She made a retreat to prepare for the 'Eternal Retreat'. She suffered for months from Addison's Disease, a disease of the kidneys which at that time was incurable. As a result of this illness, Elizabeth suffered great fatigue, an inability to digest food, intense abdominal pains and great thirst.
During the last week of her life, Sister Elizabeth's stomach was very ulcerated, and yet she made frequent and lengthy visits to the Blessed Sacrament. On 31st October, she received the last rites. On 1st November, she made her confession and received Holy Communion for the last time. Elizabeth's last audible words before her death were, 'I am going to Light, to Love, to Life'.Mission in Heaven
Elizabeth died on 9 November 1906, at the age of twenty-six, after having lived in Carmel for only five years. From her sick bed, She wrote to a fellow Carmelite,
'I think that in Heaven, my mission will be to draw souls by helping them go out of themselves to cling to God by a wholly simple and loving movement, and to keep them in this great silence within that will allow God to communicate Himself to them and transform them into Himself.'
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Memorable Quote for Today
I have found heaven on earth,
since Heaven is God,
and God is in my soul
~ Bl Elizabeth of the Trinity ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 9th November, 2026
09-11- The Dedication of the St John Lateran Basilica, Rome
The Lateran Basilica is one of the four great Basilicas of Rome. The original Basilica was erected by the first Christian Emperor: Constantine. Until the time of Constantine there were no public buildings called 'churches.' Worshippers met in people's houses. Until then this hillside site in Rome was the location of two monasteries called after 'St John the Divine', and 'St John the Baptist'. It is the Cathedral church of Rome and, also the church of the Pope, Bishop of Rome. For all these reasons, it has come to be known as the mother- church of Christendom.
Feast of the Day:09-11- The Dedication of the St John Lateran Basilica, Rome
C/f history of today’s Feast can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Ezekiel 47:1-2. 8-9. 12
I saw a stream of water coming from the Temple, bringing life to all wherever it flowed.
The Angel brought me back to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side.He said, 'This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps45:2-3,5-6,8-9 R.v.5
Response The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
1. God is for us a refuge and strength, a helper close at hand, in time of distress:
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea. Response
2. The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day. Response
3 The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come, consider the works of the Lord, the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth. Response
SECOND READING (or Alternative First Reading)
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 3:9-11. 16-17
You are the temple of God.
You are God's building.By the grace God gave me, I succeeded as an architect and laid the foundations, on which someone else is doing the building. Everyone doing the building must work carefully. For the foundation, nobody can lay any other than the one which has already been laid, that is Jesus Christ.
Didn't you realise that you were God's temple and that the Spirit of God was living among you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred;
and you are that temple.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 2 Chron 7:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, for my name to be there for ever.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 2:13-22 Glory to you, O Lord
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 2:13-22
He was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body.
Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting at their counters there. Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers' coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers,'Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father's house into a market.'
Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: 'Zeal for your house will devour me.'
The Jews intervened and said, 'What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?'
Jesus answered, 'Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up'.The Jews replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary:
are you going to raise it up in three days?'
But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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1. Gospel Reflection 9th November. The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Rome John 2:13-22
Writing to the church in Corinth about thirty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul says to them, in the words of today’s first reading, ‘You are God’s building… God’s temple’. For Paul, it was the Christian community, rather than any physical building, that was the place of God’s presence in the world.
In the gospel reading, Jesus points to himself as the Temple of God. He, more than any human being, is the place of God’s presence in the world. As individuals and as a community we look to the Lord to help us to be the place of God’s presence in the world, to be church, in that sense. We gather in a building we call a church, to open ourselves to the presence of the Lord, so that we can become more fully the church of God, the body of Christ, the place of God’s presence in our world.
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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 Reflections on the Weekday Readings : Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Feast of the Day: November 9; The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Further reflections.
Patrick Duffy provides some of it's brief history and commentary.
Dedication of the Church (Basilica) of St John on the Lateran. This Papal Archbasilica of St John was dedicated to Christ the Saviour in the fourth century. The anniversary has been celebrated as a feast of the Latin Church on this date since the twelfth century. It honours the local Church of Rome as a link with earliest Christian tradition and as a sign of our communion in Christ.
Although the Pope lives in the Vatican and in the shadow of St Peter's Basilica,
the Basilica of St John Lateran is The Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviour and of Ss John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran is also known as the Papal Archbasilica of Saint John.
*It is considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful, traditionally known as 'the Pope’s church' i.e.
*the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome, where the Bishop of Rome presided in the 'old days'.
*The pope is still it's bishop.
* It has as its patrons Ss John the Evangelist and John the Baptist.
*This cathedral is the seat of papal authority and therefore is, the parish church of Catholics everywhere.
*Since the 7th century it has also been known as the 'Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour, Jesus '- it is dedicated to him.
Patrick Duffy provides some of it's brief history.
The Lateran Palace
The Lateran Palace in Rome originally belonged to the Laterani family, who served as administrators to several emperors, but Nero confiscated it. When Constantine became emperor, he built the Lateran Basilica in the fourth century on land that had belonged to the Laterani family (hence the name ‘Lateran’). he gave it over to the Church for a synod and as the Cathedral of Rome .
The Basilica
‘Basilica’ is the word given to an early form of building used for Christian worship. It was modelled on the Roman Basilica - a building used as a law court and a commercial exchange. At first the name ‘basilica’ was used of churches which resembled the Roman building, but now the title of ‘basilica’ is given by the pope to certain privileged churches both in Rome and throughout the world.
Pope Sylvester I (314-335) then had the basilica (which literally means a royal hall for transacting business or legal matters). It soon became the cathedral of the Church of Rome and the seat of the popes for a thousand years. It was the residence of the popes until 1308. Ecumenical councils, all called Lateran, were held there: in 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215 and 1512-17. While the popes were absent from Rome in Avignon (1305-1403), the Basilica fell into disrepair. The popes did not return to live there, but resided first at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, then later at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, and now at the Vatican.
Restoration
The palace was restored by Pope Sixtus V (Felice Peretti 1585-90). Pope Innocent X (Giovanni Battista Pamphili 1644-55) commissioned the present structure of the basilica in 1646 and Pope Clement XII (Lorenzo Corsini 1730-40) gave it a grand new façade in 1735.
[caption id="attachment_52631" align="aligncenter" width="350"]
(This is a souvenir copy of the creation of the Vatican State by the Lateran Pacts with Its “trinity” of King Victor Emmanuel III, Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini.)[/caption]The Lateran Treaty 1929
In 1929 the Lateran Treaty was signed in the Lateran Palace by Mussolini and Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Gasparri. Today the palace houses the Vicariate and offices of the diocese of Rome which Pope John XXIII located there.
[caption id="attachment_35238" align="alignright" width="272"]
The late Bishop of Rome, and Pope of the Universal Church, Pope Francis prayed in his parish Church, the Lateran Basilica regularly.[/caption]The Basilica Today
St John Lateran is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome where the Bishop of Rome presides, especially on Holy Thursday for the Chrism Mass. One of Rome’s most imposing churches, the Lateran’s towering facade is crowned with 15 colossal statues - Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and 12 doctors of the Church. Beneath its high altar rest the remains of the small wooden table on which tradition holds St. Peter himself celebrated Mass.
Relevance of the Feast
We are all members of our own local church, work for the universal kingdom of Christ, are also members of this "mother-church" in Rome.
The dedication of churches can be traced back to the Jewish practice of dedicating the Temple in Jerusalem to God. Once a Temple had been dedicated, there was a feast each year to celebrate the anniversary of the dedication. This feast was celebrated not only in Jerusalem but in every synagogue as well. Similarly, and now every Western Catholic church observes the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
This feast helps us move beyond our narrow geographical confines to a sense of the universal Church. See also 18th November, the Dedication of the Churches of St Peter and St Paul.
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Memorable Advice for Today
Stop looking for the perfect church. It does not exist. It is not there.
Even if it did exist, the moment you or I joined it , it would no longer be perfect!
~Nicky Gumbel ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 9th November, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an fáidh Ezícéal 47:1-2. 8-9. 12
Bhí uisce ag sceitheadh soir amach faoi bhun thairseach an Teampaill.
Rug an t-aingeal ar ais mé go doras an Teampaill; agus féach, bhí uisce ag sceitheadh soir amach faoi bhun thairseach an Teampaill – bhí an Teampall féin ag féachaint soir. Sceith an t-uisce amach faoi bhun an taoibh theas de thairseach an Teampaill, ó dheas ón altóir. Rug sé ansin mé amach an geata thuaidh agus thug orm dul timpeall amuigh fad leis an ngeata seachtrach thoir, áit a raibh an t-uisce ag sceitheadh soir.Dúirt sé:
“Sileann an t-uisce seo soir agus téann síos isteach san Arabá; agus ar dhul isteach dó in uisce marbh na farraige déanann sé an fharraige úr. Aon áit a sileann an abhainn mairfidh gach dúil bheo a chorraíonn inti agus beidh flúirse éisc ann; de bhrí go mbíonn sláinte aon áit a dtéann an t-uisce agus go mbíonn an t-anam i ngach dúil aon áit a sileann an abhainn. Ar bhruach na habhann, ar an dá bhruach, fásfaidh gach cineál crann toraidh, le duilleoga nach bhfeonn agus le toradh nach dteipeann. Béarfaidh siad toradh úr gach mí de bhrí go sileann an t-uisce seo dóibh ón sanctóir. Beidh a dtoradh mar bhia agus a nduilleoga mar leigheas.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Malairt CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 3:9-11. 16-17
Foirgneamh Dé, is ea sibhse.
Foirgneamh Dé, is ea sibhse. De réir an ghrásta a thug Dia dom, leag mise an bhunsraith mar a dhéanfadh an t-ardsaor oilte agus fear eile atá ag tógáil uirthi. Faireadh gach duine a chuid tógála féin áfach, mar ní féidir d’aon duine bunsraith eile a leagan ach an ceann atá thíos cheana féin, agus is é Íosa Críost an bhunsraith sin.Nach dtuigeann sibh, a bhráithre, gur teampall Dé sibh agus go bhfuil Spiorad Dé ina chónaí ionaibh. Duine ar bith a mhilleann teampall Dé, millfidh Dia eisean, mar is naofa é teampall Dé – agus is sibhse an teampall sin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
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Salm le Freagra Sm 45:45:2-3,5-6,8-9 R.v.5
Freagra Is ón Tiarna féin atá mo chúnamh eisean a rinne neamh agus talamh.
1. Is dídean dúinn Dia, agus is é ár neart é: is é ár gcúnamh go dearfa é le linn ár n-anacra.
Dá bhrí sin ní eagal linn má luascann an talamh agus go gcaitear na sléibhte i gceartlár mara . Freagra
2. Cuireann caisí na habhann lúcháir ar chathair Dé, ionad naofa agus áras cónaithe an Neach is Airde.
Tá Dia ina lár, ní féidir í a bhogadh; tiocfaidh Dia i gcabhair uirthi le fáinne an lae. Freagra
3. Tá Tiarna na Slua inár bhfochair, is daingean dúinn Dia Iacóib.
Téanam agus feiceam oibreacha an Tiarna, na héachtaí móra a rinne sé ar talamh. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 2:13-22 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Ach ar theampall a choirp féin a bhí seisean ag labhairt.
Bhí Cáisc na nGiúdach in achmaireacht agus chuaigh Íosa suas go Iarúsailéim dá bhrí sin. Fuair sé sa sanctóir lucht ba agus caoirigh agus colmáin a dhíol, agus lucht airgead a mhalartú ina suí ann. Agus rinne sé sciúirse de théada agus thiomáin sé iad go léir amach as an sanctóir, na caoirigh agus na ba chomh maith; scaip sé airgead an lucht mhalartaithe agus leag sé na boird, agus dúirt sé le lucht na gcolmán a dhíol:
“Beirigí na nithe sin as seo agus ná déanaigí teach margaidh de theach m’Athar.”
Chuimhnigh a dheisceabail go bhfuil sé scríofa:
“Déanfaidh díograis do thí mé a ithe.”
D’fhreagair na Giúdaigh ansin:
“Cén comhartha,” ar siad leis, “atá á thaispeáint agat dúinn mar bhonn lena bhfuil á dhéanamh agat?”
D’fhreagair Íosa: “Leagaigí an Teampall seo,” ar sé leo, “agus i dtrí lá tógfaidh mé suas arís é.”
Dúirt na Giúdaigh á fhreagairt:
“Sé bliana agus daichead atá an Teampall seo á thógáil, agus an dtógfaidh tusa é i dtrí lá?”
Ach ar theampall a choirp féin a bhí seisean ag labhairt. Nuair a d’aiséirigh sé ó mhairbh, dá bhrí sin, chuimhnigh a dheisceabail go ndúirt sé an chaint seo agus chreid siad sa scrioptúr agus sa chaint a dúirt Íosa.
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.
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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.
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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, 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
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