Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jan 31 - St John Bosco (1815-1888)
Summary: St John Bosco, priest, educator. Born in Piedmont (Italy) in 1815; grew up in extreme poverty and, after ordination, devoted his life to educating young people, especially the poor. Founded the Salesians, men and women who continue this work with youth throughout the world. He was noted, like the order's patron, St Francis de Sales, for his cheerfulness and trust in the providence of God. He died at Turin on this day in 1888
John Bosco is the patron of youth. He spent most of his life as a priest rehabilitating boys from lives of poverty and crime, helping them grow into productive and virtuous men. The religious order he founded, the Salesians, are one of the largest and most influential religious orders in the Catholic Church today.
Patrick Duffy traces his story.
Early life
Born at Becchi, Castelnuovo d'Asti, in Piedmont, Italy, John's peasant father died when he was only two. His devout and common sense mother Margaret reared him in poverty and provided him with a good education. She later lived and worked with her son when he was a priest. On 16th November 2006 the Congregation for Saints' Causes recognised her heroic virtues and her reputation for holiness.
As a boy, John worked to help keep himself, his brother Joseph and his mother. He would go to circuses and carnivals to learn tricks he saw magicians perform and in this way learned to present shows himself. He was quite a performer. While attending college and the seminary, he also worked as a tailor, baker, shoemaker and carpenter.
Workshops and Sunday outings with young people
Ordained priest in 1841, he soon had hundreds of boys and youths attending his chapel and evening classes. He set up a boarding house for apprentices and then had workshops for teaching, tailoring and shoe making.
Subsequently he set up a printing works, a book-bindery, a joinery and an iron-foundry to provide educational and employment opportunities. He would organise an all-day Sunday outing for his boys with a full agenda of Mass, work and games. When his mother came to help he was eventually housing over 800 boys.
The charism of goodness
Don Bosco, as he became known, said he did not remember having formally to punish any boy. He sought always to make things attractive, and because of this his methods were preventive as distinct from repressive.
Training of the boys
During a cholera epidemic in Turin in 1854 in which thousands died, he formed his boys into teams to carry the sick to hospital and the dead to mortuaries. He urged his boys to trust in God and wash their hands in vinegar. Not one of them died and he got the reputation of being a miracle-worker.
Salesians
This led to the foundation in 1854 of a community of religious, whom he called Salesians in admiration of the spirit of St Francis de Sales.
He also founded a congregation for girls with a peasant woman, Mary Mazzarello (1837-81) from near Genoa, she also became a saint. The Salesians spread all over Europe and America. The congregation now numbers over 16,000 in 139 countries.
A great "social saint"
When he died in 1888, the entire population of Turin lined the streets for his funeral. He was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1934. He has become recognised, like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as one of the great "social saints".
John Bosco is the patron of youth. He spent most of his life as a priest rehabilitating boys from lives of poverty and crime, helping them grow into productive and virtuous men. The religious order he founded, the Salesians, are one of the largest and most influential religious orders in the Catholic Church today.Patrick Duffy traces his story.
Early life
Born at Becchi, Castelnuovo d'Asti, in Piedmont, Italy, John's peasant father died when he was only two. His devout and common sense mother Margaret reared him in poverty and provided him with a good education. She later lived and worked with her son when he was a priest. On 16th November 2006 the Congregation for Saints' Causes recognised her heroic virtues and her reputation for holiness.
As a boy, John worked to help keep himself, his brother Joseph and his mother. He would go to circuses and carnivals to learn tricks he saw magicians perform and in this way learned to present shows himself. He was quite a performer. While attending college and the seminary, he also worked as a tailor, baker, shoemaker and carpenter. Workshops and Sunday outings with young people
Ordained priest in 1841, he soon had hundreds of boys and youths attending his chapel and evening classes. He set up a boarding house for apprentices and then had workshops for teaching, tailoring and shoe making.
Subsequently he set up a printing works, a book-bindery, a joinery and an iron-foundry to provide educational and employment opportunities. He would organise an all-day Sunday outing for his boys with a full agenda of Mass, work and games. When his mother came to help he was eventually housing over 800 boys.The charism of goodness
Don Bosco, as he became known, said he did not remember having formally to punish any boy. He sought always to make things attractive, and because of this his methods were preventive as distinct from repressive.
Training of the boysDuring a cholera epidemic in Turin in 1854 in which thousands died, he formed his boys into teams to carry the sick to hospital and the dead to mortuaries. He urged his boys to trust in God and wash their hands in vinegar. Not one of them died and he got the reputation of being a miracle-worker.
Salesians
This led to the foundation in 1854 of a community of religious, whom he called Salesians in admiration of the spirit of St Francis de Sales.
He also founded a congregation for girls with a peasant woman, Mary Mazzarello (1837-81) from near Genoa, she also became a saint. The Salesians spread all over Europe and America. The congregation now numbers over 16,000 in 139 countries.
A great "social saint"
When he died in 1888, the entire population of Turin lined the streets for his funeral. He was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1934. He has become recognised, like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as one of the great "social saints".
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Memorable Proverbs for today
Young people need more supportive models to imitate
than critics who only sap their energy, optimism and hope,
if they are to build tomorrow's better world.
~ Brendan Ryan ~
also
One of the deep secrets of life is that
all that is really worth doing is what we do for others
~ Lewis Carroll ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 31st January, 2026
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
Saint of the Day: Jan 31: Memorial of St John Bosco, religious founder Patron of youth
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the second book of Samuel 12: 1-7, 10-17
I have sinned against the Lord.
The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David. He came to him and said:
In the same town were two men, one rich, the other poor.
The rich man had flocks and herds in great abundance;
the poor man had nothing but a ewe lamb, one only, a small one he had bought.
This he fed, and it grew up with him and his children,
eating his bread, drinking from his cup sleeping on his breast; it was like a daughter to him.
When there came a traveller to stay, the rich man refused to take one of his own flock or herd to provide for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for his guest.'
David's anger flared up against the man.'As the Lord lives,' he said to Nathan 'the man who did this deserves to die!
He must make fourfold restitution for the lamb, for doing such a thing and showing no compassion.'
Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man.
The Lord the God of Israel says this,
"I anointed you king over Israel; I delivered you from the hands of Saul; So now the sword will never be far from your House, since you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife."
'Thus the Lord speaks,
"I will stir up evil for you out of your own House. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to your neighbour, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
You worked in secret, I will work this in the face of all Israel and in the face of the sun."'
David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.
Then Nathan said to David, 'the Lord, for his part, forgives your sin; you are not to die.
Yet because you have outraged the Lord by doing this, the child that is born to you is to die.'
Then Nathan went home.
The Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David and it fell gravely ill. David pleaded with the Lord for the child; he kept a strict fast and went home and spent the night on the bare ground, covered with sacking. The officials of his household came and stood round him to get him to rise from the ground, but he refused, nor would he take food with them.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 50; 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 R/v 12
Response A pure heart create for me, O God.
1. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Response
2. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you. Response
3. O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 26:11
Alleluia, alleluia!
Instruct me, in your way; on an even path lead me .
Alleluia!
or Jn 3: 16
Alleluia, alleluia!
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son;
everyone who believes in him has eternal life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Mark 4: 35-41 Glory to you, O Lord
Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.
With the coming of evening that same day, Jesus said to his disciples,
'Let us cross over to the other side'.
And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him,
'Master, do you not care? We are going down!'
And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Be calm!'
And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them,
'Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?'
They were filled with awe and said to one another,
'Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Saturday Third Week in Ordinary Time Mark 4:35-41
It is likely that Mark’s gospel was written to the church in Rome, shortly after it had come through the persecution of the emperor Nero. If so, Mark’s church would easily have recognized itself among the disciples in the boat, battling a gale, with the waves breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. Just as Jesus was asleep as the storm howled and the disciples concluded that Jesus didn’t care for them, so Mark’s church may have wondered during their own stormy ordeal whether the risen Lord was asleep, indifferent to their plight.
As a church we have been through difficult times; we have taken a battering, for various reasons. We too may be tempted to think that the Lord has forgotten about us and doesn’t care. The message of today’s gospel reading is that nothing could be further from the truth. The reason that Jesus was asleep in the boat as the storm broke wasn’t that he didn’t care for his disciples but that he had complete trust that God would preserve the boat in the storm because God was stronger than the storm. He rebuked his disciples for their lack of trust, ‘How is it that you have no faith?’
The Lord is never asleep to our plight; he is always with us in the storm and will never allow the storm to swamp the church. He does ask, however, that we keep faith in him while the storm is doing its worst and not just in the calm after it.
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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 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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Saint of the Day: Jan 31: Memorial of St John Bosco, religious founder Patron of youth.
St John Bosco, priest, educator. Born in Piedmont (Italy) in 1815; grew up in extreme poverty and, after ordination, devoted his life to educating young people, especially the poor. Founded the Salesians, men and women who continue this work with youth throughout the world. He was noted, like the order's patron, St Francis de Sales, for his cheerfulness and trust in the providence of God. He died at Turin on this day in 1888
John Bosco is the patron of youth. He spent most of his life as a priest rehabilitating boys from lives of poverty and crime, helping them grow into productive and virtuous men. The religious order he founded, the Salesians, are one of the largest and most influential religious orders in the Catholic Church today.Patrick Duffy traces his story.
Early life
Born at Becchi, Castelnuovo d'Asti, in Piedmont, Italy, John's peasant father died when he was only two. His devout and common sense mother Margaret reared him in poverty and provided him with a good education. She later lived and worked with her son when he was a priest. On 16th November 2006 the Congregation for Saints' Causes recognised her heroic virtues and her reputation for holiness.
As a boy, John worked to help keep himself, his brother Joseph and his mother.
He would go to circuses and carnivals to learn tricks he saw magicians perform and in this way learned to present shows himself. He was quite a performer. While attending college and the seminary, he also worked as a tailor, baker, shoemaker and carpenter. Workshops and Sunday outings with young people
Ordained priest in 1841, he soon had hundreds of boys and youths attending his chapel and evening classes. He set up a boarding house for apprentices and then had workshops for teaching, tailoring and shoe making.
Subsequently he set up a printing works, a book-bindery, a joinery and an iron-foundry to provide educational and employment opportunities. He would organise an all-day Sunday outing for his boys with a full agenda of Mass, work and games. When his mother came to help he was eventually housing over 800 boys.The Charism of goodness
Don Bosco, as he became known, said he did not remember having formally to punish any boy. He sought always to make things attractive, and because of this his methods were preventive as distinct from repressive.
Training of the boysDuring a cholera epidemic in Turin inT 1854 in which thousands died, he formed his boys into teams to carry the sick to hospital and the dead to mortuaries. He urged his boys to trust in God and wash their hands in vinegar. Not one of them died and he got the reputation of being a miracle-worker.
Salesians
This led to the foundation in 1854 of a community of religious, whom he called Salesians in admiration of the spirit of St Francis de Sales.
He also founded a congregation for girls with a peasant woman, Mary Mazzarello (1837-81) from near Genoa, she also became a saint. The Salesians spread all over Europe and America. The congregation now numbers over 16,000 in 139 countries.
A great "social saint"
When he died in 1888, the entire population of Turin lined the streets for his funeral. He was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1934. He has become recognised, like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as one of the great "social saints of the Church".
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Memorable Proverbs for today
"If you, (a parent or teacher) can't see a child's worth, neither can they"
~ Don Bosco ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 31st January, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an dara leabhar Samúéil. 12:1-7a, 10-17
Pheacaigh mé in aghaidh an Tiarna.
Chuir an Tiarna Nátán fáidh chuig Dáiví.
Tháinig sé chuige agus is é a dúirt sé:
“Bhí beirt fhear san aon bhaile amháin, fear saibhir agus fear bocht. Bhí tréada agus táinte ag an bhfear saibhir, flúirse díobh. Ní raibh ag an bhfear bocht ach uan baineann, aon cheann beag amháin a cheannaigh sé. Bheathaigh sé í agus d’fhás sí suas leis féin agus lena chlann, ag ithe a chuid aráin, ag ól as a chupán, ag codladh ar a bhrollach; ba chuma nó a iníon féin leis í. Nuair a tháinig taistealaí ag lorg lóistín, níorbh áil leis an bhfear saibhir an strainséir a bhí tagtha chuige a chothú as a thréada agus as a tháinte féin, ach ina ionad sin rug sé ar uan an bhochtáin agus d’ullmhaigh é mar bhéile dá chuairteoir.”
Tháinig taom feirge ar Dháiví in aghaidh an fhir:“Dar an Tiarna beo,” ar seisean le Nátán,
“tá an bás tuillte ag an bhfear a rinne é sin. Caithfidh sé an t-uan a aisíoc faoi cheathair, as ucht a leithéid a dhéanamh agus sin gan trua gan taise.”
Ansin dúirt Nátán le Dáiví: “Is tusa an fear.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna Dia Iosrael:
‘D’ungaigh mé thú i do rí ar Iosrael, agus d’fhuascail mé thú as láimh Shóil. Thug mé teach do mháistir duit agus mná do mháistir i d’ucht duit; thug mé teaghlach Iosrael duit agus teaghlach Iúdá, agus dá mba nár leor sin, thabharfainn oiread eile duit. Cad ab áil leat ag maslú bhriathar an Tiarna, agus ag déanamh an ní is gráin leis? Threascair tú Úiríá an Hiteach leis an gclaíomh agus thóg tú a bhean chugat mar chéile agus chuir tú chun báis é le claíomh na nAmónach.
Ar an ábhar sin ní bheidh an claíomh go brách i bhfad ó do theaghlach, ó léirigh tú go bhfuil drochmheas agat ormsa agus ó ghlac tú bean chéile Úiríá an Hiteach mar bhean chéile agat féin.’
“Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
‘Déanfaidh mé d’aimhleas a chothú as do theaghlach féin. Os comhair do chuid súl féin tógfaidh mé do mhná céile agus tabharfaidh mé do do chomharsa iad, agus luífidh sé le do mhná céile faoi aghaidh na gréine seo. Ghníomhaigh tusa faoi rún; gníomhóidh mise os comhair Iosrael ar fad agus faoi sholas na gréine.’”
Dúirt Dáiví le Nátán: “Pheacaigh mé in aghaidh an Tiarna.”
Ansin dúirt Nátán le Dáiví: “Chomh fada agus a bhaineann leis an Tiarna, tugann sé maithiúnas duit i do pheaca; ní chuirfear chun báis thú. Ach ó thug tú barr masla don Tiarna tríd an ngníomh seo, gheobhaidh an leanbh a ghin tú bás.”
Ansin chuaigh Nátán abhaile.
Leag an Tiarna a lámh ar an leanbh a rug bean chéile Úiríá do Dháiví agus tháinig tinneas trom air. Rinne Dáiví achainí chun Dé ar son an linbh; rinne sé troscadh dian; chuaigh sé isteach abhaile agus chaith an oíche ar an talamh lom. Tháinig oifigigh a theaghlaigh agus sheas siad thart timpeall air; d’iarradar air éirí ón talamh, ach dhiúltaigh sé agus ní ghlacfadh sé bia ar bith leo.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 50: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17. R/v 12
Freagra Cruthaigh ionam croí glan, a Dhia.
1. Cruthaigh ionam croí glan, a Dhia, agus cruthaigh spiorad daingean as an nua ionam.
Ná díbir amach as do radharc mé agus ná beir do naomhspiorad uaim. Freagra
2. Tabhair ar ais dom áthas do shlánaithe agus tabhair spiorad na díograise mar thaca dom.
Múinfidh mé do shlite do lucht na hurchóide agus fillfidh na peacaigh ar ais chugat. Freagra
3. Saor mé ó choir na fola, a Dhia, a Dhia mo shlánaitheoir,
agus mórfaidh mé le mo theanga do cheartas.
A Thiarna, oscail mo bheola, agus fógróidh mo bhéal do mholadh. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marc 4: 35-41 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Cé hé an duine seo, más ea, a rá go ndéanann gaoth agus farraige rud air?”
Nuair a bhí an tráthnóna ann an lá sin, dúirt Íosa leo:
“Téimis trasna anonn.”
Agus ag fágáil an tslua ina ndiaidh, thug siad leo é sa bhád mar a bhí sé, agus bhí báid eile á thionlacan. D’éirigh cuaifeach mór gaoithe, agus bhí na farraigí ag bualadh an bháid sa chaoi go raibh sí ag líonadh cheana féin. Bhí sé féin i ndeireadh an bháid ina chodladh agus a cheann ar an bpillín, agus mhúscail siad é agus dúirt leis:
“A Mháistir, an ea nach cás leat go bhfuil an bás againn?”
Agus ar dhúiseacht dó, bhagair sé ar an ngaoth agus dúirt leis an bhfarraige:
“Éist, bí socair!” Agus thit an ghaoth, agus bhí sé ina théigle mhór.
Dúirt sé leo:
Cén fáth a bhfuil an eagla seo oraibh? An ea nach bhfuil creideamh agaibh?”
Bhí uamhan agus eagla orthu agus bhí siad á rá eatarthu féin:
“Cé hé an duine seo, más ea, a rá go ndéanann gaoth agus farraige rud air?”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 1st February, 2026
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Jesus revealed the Beatitudes himself as his and his Father's, secret of happiness.
Jesus invites us to watch they was lived out in his life.
Saint of the Day, in Ireland, Feb 1 St Brigid, Abbess, Secondary Patron of Ireland
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Zephaniah 2:3. 3:12-13
In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people.
Seek the Lord, all you, the humble of the earth, who obey his commands.
Seek integrity, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter
on the day of the anger of the Lord.
In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; and the perjured tongue will no longer be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb them.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 145: 7-10 R/v Mat 5:3
Response How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1. It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free. Response
2. It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan. Response
3. It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever, Zion's God, from age to age. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 1:26-31
God chose what is foolish by human reckoning.
Take yourselves, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen - those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God have made members of Christ Jesus and by God's doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom.
As scripture says: 'If anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!
or Mt 5: 12
Alleluia, alleluia!
Rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in Heaven.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 5:1-12 Glory to you, O Lord
'How happy are the poor in spirit.
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples.
Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
'How blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
'Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The scripture readings are taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with permission of the publishers.
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
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Saint of the Day, Feb 1 St Brigid, Abbess, Secondary Patron of Ireland
C/f A short life of this saint can be found below todays' Readings and Reflection.
Bridget patroness of those who have a care for the earth, for justice, equality and peace and also model for contemplative prayer.
Brigidine Sister Rita Minehan profiles St Brigid here as a model for contemplative prayer.
A great resurgence of interest in all aspects of our Celtic heritage is leading many individuals and groups to rediscover - and draw inspiration from - the lives of the early Irish saints. St Brigid, the patroness of Ireland, is emerging as one whose life has relevance and inspiration for us as we try to face the issues that confront our country and our world at this time. When we look at the life of Brigid and at some of these issues we can see more clearly why she continues to be relevant to us today. (The image left is of Brigid with lepers, taken from the mosaic in Armagh Cathedral.)Carer of the Earth
The feast of St Brigid on the 1st of February is a celebration of the wonderful springing back of the earth from its winter sleep. It is the season when we celebrate new beginnings and new life on earth. The sod is turned. The day lengthens. Seeds are sown and sails are hoisted.
Many of the stories about Brigid tell of her milking the cows, churning the milk, making up the firkins of butter, shepherding her flocks of sheep, helping with the harvest and even brewing the ale! Brigid, in keeping with her Celtic traditions, was wonderfully attuned to the seasons and cycles of nature. She valued the elements of nature: earth, air, fire and water.
Light the Fire
Today, we are becoming more aware of the fragility of our planet. Lands are becoming barren, skies fouled, waters poisoned. Many individuals and groups concerned about the environment draw inspiration from the reverence and respect which Brigid had for the land. She is often referred to as the' Saint of Agriculture.' In a new hymn, composed by Fr Liam Lawton, Brigid is invoked 'to heal our wounds and green our earth again.'
"A Life of Brigid" (Vita Brigitae), composed by Cogitosus about 650 AD, places great emphasis on Brigid's faith, her healing powers, her hospitality, her generosity, her great skill with animals, and her compassion for the poor and the oppressed. Twenty three of the thirty two chapters tell of her extraordinary concern for the poor. One of the Brigidine legends illustrates this very effectively.
Woman of Compassion
One day when Brigid was on a long journey she stopped to rest by the wayside. A rich lady heard about this and brought her a beautiful basket of choice apples. No sooner had she received them than a group of very poor people came by and begged her for food. Without a moment's hesitation, Brigid gave them the choice apples. The rich lady was utterly disgusted and she complained to Brigid, "I brought those apples for you, not for them." Brigid's reply was: "What is mine is theirs." This Brigidine legend poses a challenge to all of us in terms of our world today, where forty-five thousand people die from hunger and hunger-related diseases every day and where twenty percent of the population own and consume about eighty percent of the earth's resources. The poverty gap continues to widen both within and between countries, as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer. This legend challenges us to work for a more equitable distribution of the world's resources.
Model of Equality
It is generally accepted that Brigid established her abbey and church in Kildare around 480 AD, on the site now occupied by St Brigid's Cathedral. Brigid held a unique position in the Irish Church and society of her day. As Abbess, she presided over the local Church of Kildare and was leader of a double monastery for men and women.Tradition suggests that she invited Conleth, a hermit from Old Connell near Newbridge, to assist her in Kildare. Cogitosus tells us that 'they governed their Church by means of a mutually happy alliance.'
What emerges from many of these stories and legends about Brigid is the portrait of a strong and gentle woman, a powerful leader, a good organiser, a skillful healer and a wise spiritual guide. Brigid has become - for men as well as women - a potent symbol of Christian womanhood, showing us in so many different ways the feminine face of God.
Woman of Peace
There was no lack of domestic strife in the Ireland of Brigid's day, where feuds between clans were commonplace. She is often depicted as a peacemaker who intervened in disputes between rival factions and brought healing and reconciliation. Folklorists tell us that in some parts of Ireland a St Brigid's cross was often used as a token of goodwill between neighbours, indicating a desire for peace and friendship after a local quarrel.
One of the best-known stories associated with St Brigid is that of her giving away her father's precious sword to a poor man so that he could barter it for food to feed his family. Thus, a sword, a weapon of war, was transformed into a life-giving instrument. This story offers an important lesson for our world today where every minute thirteen million pounds is being spent on weapons of war. One wonders what links Brigid would make today between the massive expenditure on arms and the welfare of the poor people of the world?
Woman of Contemplation
Brigid emerges as a woman of action in the stories, legends and poems about her. If one, however, were to seek the source from which she drew her strength and energy, one could probably find the answer in this story.
One day, St Brendan the Navigator stood on a cliff top and watched two whales engaging in fierce combat. Suddenly, the smaller whale, in a human voice, cried out for help not to Brendan but to Brigid, who was not even present. The cry was answered immediately, and the combat ceased. Brendan was puzzled as to why he had been ignored. 'Do you always think about God?' asked Brigid, when the two met. 'Yes,' replied Brendan, 'except at times when my boat is caught in a storm at sea and I have to concentrate on keeping it afloat.' 'That's the explanation,' Brigid answered. 'From the moment I first knew God I have never let him out of my mind, and I never shall.'
An old Irish poem, written in the seventh century, speaks of her contemplation of the Trinity:
Deeper than the seas,
Greater than words can express,
Three persons in one only God;
Overflowing with wonder.'
Woman of Inspiration
Even today, poets, writers and artists still find inspiration in the symbols, customs and folklore surrounding Brigid. One writer recently referred to her as 'the woman who, above all others, embodies the spirit of pre-Christian and Christian Ireland'.
In a beautiful leadlight window in Kildare College Chapel, Holden Hill, South Australia, the artist depicts Brigid dancing the dance of the new life of creation, carrying the Spirit of Jesus into the twenty-first century.
Many of the values associated with Brigid are captured in this delightful poem:
Lady, from winters dark,
Star of Imbolc, rise!
Dance around our threshold,
Scattering warm laughter,
Seeds of hospitality,
Tolerance, forgiveness!
Return again to the folk;
You the spring we yearn for!
What a lovely image to carry with us into the future!
This article first appeared in The Messenger (February 2002), a publication of the Irish Jesuits. c/f c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Memorable Irish Proverbs for today
I should like a great lake of ale, for the King of Kings.
I should like the family of heaven to be drinking it through time eternal.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 1st February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an Leabhar Sófania, fáidh. 2:3. 3:12-13
Fágfaidh mé pobal bocht uiríseal i do lár.
Lorgaigí an Tiarna, sibhse uile, a dhaoine uirísle na tíre, a chomhlíonann a reacht.
Lorgaigí an fhíréantacht, lorgaigí an uirísle;
b’fhéidir go bhfaigheadh sibh dídean ar lá dhíbheirg an Tiarna.
Fágfaidh mé pobal bocht uiríseal i do lár agus lorgfaidh fuílleach Iosrael dídean in ainm an Tiarna.
Ní dhéanfaidh siad aon éigeart, ní mó ná a inseoidh siad bréaga,
agus ní bhfaighfear teanga chealgach ina mbéal.
Is ea, iníorfaidh siad agus ligfidh siad a scíth, agus ní chuirfidh aon duine isteach orthu feasta.”
Salm le Freagra Sm 145: 7-10 R/v Mat 5:3
Freagra Is méanar dóibh seo atá bocht ó spiorad, óir is leo ríocht na bhflaitheas.
I. An té a sheasann lena bhriathar de shíor, agus a dhéanann ceart don drong atá faoi chois,
is é a thugann bia don ocrach: is é an Tiarna a scaoileann na braighdeanaigh. Freagra
2. Osclaíonn sé súile na ndall, tógann sé suas an dream atá crom.
Cumhdaíonn an Tiarna an coimhthíoch, déanann tacaíocht don dílleachta is don bhaintreach. Freagra
3. Tugann an Tiarna grá don fhíréan, ach cuireann sé slí na bpeacach trí chéile.
Beidh an Tiarna i réim go brách, ina Dhia, a Síón, ó ghlúin go glúin. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 1:26-31
Thogh Dia nithe laga an tsaoil chun na nithe láidre a náiriú.
Breathnaígí ar bhur nglao, a bhráithre, agus a laghad agaibh a bhí eagnaí de réir chaighdeán an tsaoil, ná ceannasach ná uasal. Ach thogh Dia nithe díchéillí an tsaoil chun lucht na heagna a náiriú. Thogh Dia nithe laga an tsaoil chun na nithe láidre a náiriú. Thogh Dia nithe uirísle agus nithe suaracha an tsaoil agus nithe nach bhfuil ann chun na nithe atá ann a chur ar neamhní, ionas nach ndéanfadh daonnaí ar bith maíomh I bhfianaise Dé. Eisean a bheir daoibhse bheith in Íosa Críost an té a ndearna Dia eagna de dúinne, agus fíréantacht agus naofacht agus fuascailt. Dá réir sin, mar atá scríofa: “An té a bhfuil mórtas air, bíodh a mhórtas as an Tiarna aige.”Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 15: 15
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thug mé cairde oraibh, a deir an Tiarna,
óir gach a gcuala ó m’Athair, chuir mé in iúl daoibh é.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha, 5:1-12 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Is méanar dóibh seo atá bocht ó spiorad.
Nuair a chonaic sé na sluaite, chuaigh sé an sliabh suas. Shuigh Íosa síos agus tháinig a
dheisceabail chuige. Thosaigh sé ag caint leo á dteagasc agus dúirt:
“Is méanar dóibh seo atá bocht ó spiorad, óir is leo ríocht na bhflaitheas.
“Is méanar do lucht an dobróin, óir sólásófar iad.
“Is méanar dóibh seo atá ceansa, óir gheobhaidh siad an talamh mar oidhreacht.
“Is méanar dóibh seo a bhfuil ocras agus tart chun na fíréantachta orthu, óir sásófar iad.
“Is méanar do lucht na trócaire, óir déanfar trócaire orthu.
“Is méanar dóibh seo atá glan ó chroí, óir feicfidh siad Dia.
“Is méanar do lucht síochána a dhéanamh, óir glaofar clann Dé orthu.
“Is méanar dóibh seo a d’fhulaing géarleanúint mar gheall ar an bhfíréantacht, óir is leo ríocht na bhflaitheas.
“Is méanar daoibh féin nuair a thabharfar aithis daoibh agus a ghéarleanfar sibh, agus nuair a chuirfear gach sórt drochrud in bhur leith go bréagach mar gheall ormsa.
“Bíodh áthas oraibh agus gairdeas, mar is mór é bhur dtuarastal ar neamh; óir is mar sin a rinneadh géarleanúint ar na fáithe a chuaigh romhaibh.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
