Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Jan 18 - St Margaret of Hungary (1242-70)
Summary: St Margaret of Hungry was vowed to God even before she was born. She was a daughter of the king of Hungary, The extravagance of the penances she undertook as a Dominican sister may have shortened her life.
Patrick Duffy tells her story.
Vowed to God
Margaret was born to King Bela IV of Hungary and his wife Mary Lascaris at a time when the Tatars were invading Hungary.
The king offered to dedicate their child to the Church if Hungary was freed from the Tatars. It was, and so Margaret was brought to the Dominican convent at Vesper time at the age of three.
Somewhat later, Bela and his queen built a convent for their daughter on an island in the Danube near Buda, and there, when she was twelve years old, she made her profession.
Refuses marriage
When Margaret was 18, Ottokar, King of Bohemia, sought her hand in marriage, even after he had seen her in her religious dress. A dispensation could easily have been arranged, and Bela was inclined to favour it for political reasons. But Margaret declared that she would cut off her nose and lips rather than consent to leave the cloister.
In fact, when she became aware of a tendency to treat her with special consideration, she deliberately sought to perform the services that were most menial and repulsive, and with an extraordinary tenderness and charity. Probably she was allowed her own way in this where a stronger superior might have prevented excesses.
Excesses and miracles
In the process for her beatification begun soon after death, many of her contemporaries told of these excesses and of miracles in which Margaret was involved. The sacristan told how Margaret would stroke her hand and coax her to leave the door of the choir open after Compline so that she might spend the night before the Blessed Sacrament when she ought to have been sleeping.
One of the convent maids fell into a well and was on the point of drowning but was saved by Margaret's prayers. Asked what she thought of Margaret, she said, "She was good, holy and edifying in her conduct, a lot more humble than we serving-maids". Intense too were Margaret's prayer life and penance. She spent every Friday in tears, contemplating the suffering of Jesus. She worked much for the relief of the poor and sick.
Her cause began soon after and there is much contemporary evidence of her life, but she was not canonised till 1943 (by Pope Pius XII).
Patrick Duffy tells her story.
Vowed to God
Margaret was born to King Bela IV of Hungary and his wife Mary Lascaris at a time when the Tatars were invading Hungary.The king offered to dedicate their child to the Church if Hungary was freed from the Tatars. It was, and so Margaret was brought to the Dominican convent at Vesper time at the age of three.
Somewhat later, Bela and his queen built a convent for their daughter on an island in the Danube near Buda, and there, when she was twelve years old, she made her profession.
Refuses marriage
When Margaret was 18, Ottokar, King of Bohemia, sought her hand in marriage, even after he had seen her in her religious dress. A dispensation could easily have been arranged, and Bela was inclined to favour it for political reasons. But Margaret declared that she would cut off her nose and lips rather than consent to leave the cloister.
In fact, when she became aware of a tendency to treat her with special consideration, she deliberately sought to perform the services that were most menial and repulsive, and with an extraordinary tenderness and charity. Probably she was allowed her own way in this where a stronger superior might have prevented excesses.
Excesses and miraclesIn the process for her beatification begun soon after death, many of her contemporaries told of these excesses and of miracles in which Margaret was involved. The sacristan told how Margaret would stroke her hand and coax her to leave the door of the choir open after Compline so that she might spend the night before the Blessed Sacrament when she ought to have been sleeping.
One of the convent maids fell into a well and was on the point of drowning but was saved by Margaret's prayers. Asked what she thought of Margaret, she said, "She was good, holy and edifying in her conduct, a lot more humble than we serving-maids". Intense too were Margaret's prayer life and penance. She spent every Friday in tears, contemplating the suffering of Jesus. She worked much for the relief of the poor and sick.
Extravagance of austerities shortened her life
No doubt Margaret shortened her life by her austerities. At the end of every Lent she would be exhausted by fasting and lack of sleep. On Holy Thursday she claimed the right as the daughter of the convent's founders to wash the feet not only of the sisters but also the servants. Worn out by her efforts, she died on 18 January 1270 aged only twenty-eight.
Her cause began soon after and there is much contemporary evidence of her life, but she was not canonised till 1943 (by Pope Pius XII).
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Memorable Proverbs for today
Start by doing what's necessary.
Then do what's possible;
and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
~ St Francis of Assisi ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th January, 2026
-18-1-2026-
Second Sunday in Ordinary time
This week choices are the key; for Jesus; the Spirit, for Paul: apostleship,
for us: baptism. All are called to holiness and witness.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 49:3.5-6
I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
The Lord said to me,
'You are my servant Israel in whom I shall be glorified';
I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength.
And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him:
'It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel;
I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 39: 2, 4, 7-10, R/v 8, 9,
Response Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
1. I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me;
he heard my cry. He put a new song into my mouth,
praise of our God. Response
2. You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim Instead, here am I. Response
3. In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will.
My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart. Response
4. Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 1:1-3
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.
I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, together with brother Sosthenes, send greetings to the church of God in Corinth, to the holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ; for he is their Lord no less than ours. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!
Alleluia!
or Jn 1: 14. 12
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Word was made flesh and lived among us;
to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to John 1:29-34 Glory to you, O Lord
Look, there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.' John also declared,
'I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit."
Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.'
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/
The scripture readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th January, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Leabhar Íseáia 49:3.5-6
Ceapfaidh mé thú i do sholas do na ciníocha, chun go dté mo shlánú go críocha na cruinne.
Dúirt an Tiarna liom,
“Is tú mo ghiolla Iosrael trína saothróidh mé glóir dom féin.”
Bhí maise orm i súile an Tiarna, ba é mo Dhia mo neart.
Agus anois tá an Tiarna tar éis labhairt,
an té a dhealbhaigh mé ón mbroinn i leith i mo ghiolla dó,
le go mbailínn Iacób ar ais chuige,
le go gcruinnínn Iosrael le chéile dó:
“Is fánach an mhaise duit a bheith i do ghiolla agam
chun treibheanna Iacóib amháin a thabhairt chucu féin,
chun ar slánaíodh d’Iosrael a thabhairt ar ais.
Ceapfaidh mé thú i do sholas do na ciníocha,chun go dté mo shlánú go críocha na cruinne.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 39: 2, 4, 7-10, R/v 8, 9,
Freagra Féach, táim ag teacht, a Thiarna, chun do thoil a dhéanamh
1. Bhí dóchas agam, bhí dóchas agam sa Tiarna, agus chlaon sé a chluas chugam
agus d'éist le m'éamh.
Chuir sé amhrán nua i mo bhéal, amhrán molta dár nDia. Freagra
2. Íobairt ná ofráil níor thoil leat ach d'oscail tú cluasa dom.
loseadh níor theastaigh uait, ná íobairt in éiric an pheaca.
Ansin dúirt mé: 'Féach, táim ag teacht.' Freagra
3. 'I rolla an leabhair tá scríofa i mo thaobh: is ail liom do thoil a dhéanamh, a Dhia,
agus tá do dhlí go domhain i mo chroí.' Freagra
4. D'fhoilsigh mé d'fhíréantaeht sa mhórdhail. Feach, níor chuir mé cosc le mo bheola:
is eol duitse é, a Thiarna. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Coirintigh 1:1-3
An té is Tiarna orainne agus orthusan: grásta chugaibh agus síocháin ó Dhia ár nAthair agus ón Tiarna Íosa Críost.
Mise Pól, a bhfuil glaoite air de dheoin Dé chun bheith ina aspal ag Íosa Críost, agus an bráthair Sóstainéas in éineacht liom, chuig eaglais Dé i gCorant, chucu sin atá coisricthe in Íosa Críost agus a bhfuil glaoite ina naoimh orthu mar aon leis an uile dhuine a ghlaonn i ngach áit ar ainm ár dTiarna Íosa Críost, an té is Tiarna orainne agus orthusan: grásta chugaibh agus síocháin ó Dhia ár nAthair agus ón Tiarna Íosa Críost.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eoin: 1:14. 12
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Rinneadh feoil den Bhriathar agus chónaigh sé inár measc,an uile dhuine a ghlac é,
thug sé de cheart dóibh go ndéanfaí clann Dé díobh.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 1:29-34 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
“Seo é Uan Dé a thógann peaca an domhain.
San am sin chonaic Eoin Íosa ag teacht chuige agus dúirt sé:
“Seo é Uan Dé a thógann peaca an domhain. Eisean an té a ndúirt mé faoi:
‘Tá duine ag teacht i mo dhiaidh a bhfuil tosach aige orm, mar bhí sé ann romham.’ Níorbh aithnid dom féin é, ach is chun, go nochtfaí d’Iosrael é a tháinig mé ag baisteadh le huisce.”
Agus thug Eoin fianaise:
“Chonaic mé,” ar sé, “an Spiorad, mar cholm, ag tuirlingt air ó na flaithis agus ag fanacht air. Níorbh aithnid dom féin é, ach an té a sheol mé ag baisteadh le huisce, dúirt seisean liom:
‘An té ar a bhfeicfidh tú an Spiorad ag tuirlingt agus ag fanacht air, eisean an té a bhaisteann leis an Spiorad Naomh.’ Chonaic mé agus is finné mé gurb é seo Mac Dé.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 25th January, 2026
- 25th Jan 2026 -
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: Year A ; St Matthew
Sunday of the Word of God
Catholic Schools Week begins today.
The semi-continuous reading of St Matthew's Gospel begins this Sunday and deals with the call of the first disciples by Jesus. The scriptures are fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus. His call to repentance is urgent because the Kingdom of heaven is close at hand.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 8:23-9:3
In Galilee of the nations the people have seen a great light.
In days past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in days to come he will confer glory on the Way of the Sea on the far side of Jordan, province of the nations.
The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.
For the yoke that was weighing on him, the bar across his shoulders,
the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 26:1, 4, 13-14. R/v 1
Response The Lord is my light and my help.
1. The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink? Response
2. There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long,
to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life,
to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple. Response
3. I am sure I shall see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord! Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Corinthians 1:10-13. 17
Make up the difference between you instead of disagreeing among yourselves.
I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice. From what Chloe's people have been telling me, my dear brothers, it is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I mean are all these slogans that you have, like: 'I am for Paul,' 'I am for Apollos,' 'I am for Cephas,' 'I am for Christ'. Has Christ been parcelled out? Was it Paul that was crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Mt 4:23
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom,
and cured all kinds of sickness among the people.
Alleluia!
or Jn 1:14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 4:12-23 Glory to you, O Lord
Jesus went and settled in Capernaum: in this way the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled.
Hearing that John had been arrested Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: 'Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the Sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.'
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message,
'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.'
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.' And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogue proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds diseases and sickness among the people.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
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Shorter form of the GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 4:12-23
Theme: Jesus went and settled in Capernaum: in this way the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled
Hearing that John had been arrested Jesus went back to Galilee,
and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:'Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.'
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand'.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
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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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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 25th January, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia, fáidh 8:23-9:3
I nGailíl na gciníocha chonaic an pobal solas mór.
San am atá thart thug sé béim síos do thír Zabúlun agus do thír Naftáilí, ach san amatá ag teacht ardóidh sé bealach na farraige, an taobh thall den Iordáin, Gailíl nagciníocha.
An pobal a bhí ag siúl sa dorchadas, chonaic siad solas mór;agus ar mhuintir na tíre gruama tá solas ag lonrú.
Chuir tú go mór lena n-áthas, mheadaigh tú ar a lúcháir;
tá siad ag déanamh gairdis os do chomhair,
mar a dhéanann in aimsir an fhómhair,
amhail an gairdeas lena roinntear an chreach.
Óir an chuing a bhí anuas orthu, an choirb ar a nguaillí,
agus slat an aintiarna, déanann tú smionagar díobh mar a rinne tú lá Midian
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 26; 1, 4, 13-14. R/v 1
Freagra Is é an Tiarna mo sholas is mo shlánú.
1. Is é an Tiarna mo sholas is mo shlánú.: cé a chuirfidh eagla orm?
Is é an Tiarna dúnáras me bheatha: cé a chuirfidh ar crith me? Freagra
2. Aon ní amhain a iarraim ar an Tiarna, eilím é seo:
bheith i mo chónaí i dteach an Tiarna fad a bheidh mé beo,
chun go mblaisfinn aoibhneas an Tiarna agus go bhfeicfinn a theampall. Freagra
3. Creidim go bhfeicfidh mé maitheas an Tiarna, i dtír na mbeo.
Fan leis an Tiarna; bí cróga; bíodh do chroí go tréan is fan leis an Tiarna. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Coirintigh 1:10-13. 17
Impím oraibh, a bhráithre, in ainm ár dTiarna Íosa Críost, sibh go léir a bheith ar aon fhocal agus gan aon siosmaí a bheith eadraibh, ach sibh a bheith dlúite le chéile ar aon aigne agus ar aon intinn. Mar tá sé curtha ar mo shúile dom ag muintir Chlóé, a bhráithre, go mbíonn sibh in achrann le chéile. Is é atá i gceist agam go mbíonn gach duine agaibh á rá:
“leanaimse Pól,” nó “leanaimse Apollós,” nó “leanaimse Céafas,” nó “leanaimse Críost.”
An amhlaidh atá Críost roinnte ina choda? An é Pól a céasadh ar an gcrois ar bhur son?
An in ainm Phóil a baisteadh sibh?
Mar ní ag baisteadh a chuir Críost uaidh mé ach ag fógairt an dea-scéil agus é a dhéanamh gan dul i muinín
eagna urlabhra ar eagla cros Chríost a choilleadh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 4: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
D'fógair Íosa Dea-Scéal na ríochta, agus leigheas sé gach galar
agus gach éagruas i measc an phobail.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 4:12-23 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Chuir sé faoi i gCafarnáum chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúradh trí Íseáia fáidh.
Nuair a chuala Íosa go raibh Eoin tugtha ar láimh, chuaigh sé i leataobh go dtí an Ghailíl. D’fhág sé Nazarat agus chuir faoi i gCafarnáum cois na farraige, i gcríocha Zabúlun agus Naftáilím chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúradh trí Íseáia fáidh:
“Talamh Zabúlun, talamh Naftáilím, bóthar na farraige, an taobh eile den Iordáin,
Gailíl na gciníocha, an pobal a bhí ina suí sa dorchadas, chonaic siad solas mór,
an mhuintir a chónaigh i dtír scáilmhear an bháis, d’éirigh solas chucu.”
Ón am sin amach, thosaigh Íosa ag seanmóir agus ag rá:“Déanaigí aithrí, mar tá ríocht na bhflaitheas in achmaireacht.”
Ag siúl dó cois farraige na Gailíle, chonaic sé beirt dearthár, Síomón ar a dtugtar Peadar agus Aindrias a dheartháir, ag caitheamh eangacha san fharraige, mar iascairí a bhí iontu. Labhair sé leo:
“Tagaigí i mo dhiaidh, agus déanfaidh mé iascairí ar dhaoine díbh.”
D’fhág siad na líonta láithreach agus lean siad é.
Bhuail sé ar aghaidh, agus chonaic sé beirt dearthár eile, Séamas mac Zeibidé agus Eoin a dheartháir: bhí siad sa bhád in éineacht lena n-athair, Zeibidé, ag cóiriú a gcuid líonta; agus ghlaoigh sé iad.
D’fhág siad an bád agus a n-athair láithreach agus lean siad é.
Agus ghabh Íosa ar fud na Gailíle go léir, ag teagasc sna sionagóga, ag fógairt
dea-scéil na ríochta, agus ag leigheas gach galar agus gach éagruas i measc an phobail.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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Malairt SOISCÉAL gearr
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 4:12-17
Chuir sé faoi i gCafarnáum chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúradh trí Íseáia fáidh.
Nuair a chuala Íosa go raibh Eoin tugtha ar láimh, chuaigh sé i leataobh go dtí an Ghailíl. D’fhág sé Nazarat agus chuir faoi i gCafarnáum cois na farraige, i gcríocha Zabúlun agus Naftáilím chun go gcomhlíonfaí a ndúradh trí Íseáia fáidh:
“Talamh Zabúlun, talamh Naftáilím,
bóthar na farraige, an taobh eile den Iordáin, Gailíl na gciníocha,an pobal a bhí ina suí sa dorchadas, chonaic siad solas mór,
an mhuintir a chónaigh i dtír scáilmhear an bháis, d’éirigh solas chucu.”
Ón am sin amach, thosaigh Íosa ag seanmóir agus ag rá:
“Déanaigí aithrí, mar tá ríocht na bhflaitheas in achmaireacht.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
