Churches of the Day
Feb 2 - St Théophane Vénard (1829-61)
Summary: St Théophane Vénard He is famous for the fact that his letters inspired St Thérèse of Lisieux to volunteer to be a missionary Carmelite in Hanoi and become patroness of the missions. An inspiring missionary, he himself was beheaded when he refused to apostasise from his faith.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early life
The son of a French schoolmaster, Théophane Vénard was born in 1829 in Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet. He joined the Society of Foreign Missionaries of Paris as a subdeacon from the seminary of Poitiers diocese. Ordained in 1852 he travelled the following autumn to Hong Kong. After two years learning Chinese, he was appointed to Tonkin (Vietnam), just as Christians there were being persecuted. He had a lot of sickness, but recovered each time. He was a devoted priest, often spending long hours in the confessional.
In Hiding
In 1859 the emperor Tu-Duc, determined to put an end to the "Jesus religion", issued a new edict imposing the death penalty to priests, promised a reward to informants, and set out penalties for mandarins who were kind to Christians. Much of Théophane's ministry was spent hiding in caves and sampans, but he was a cheerful spirit, learned the local language and got on well with everyone he met. He and another priest, Fr Castex, were received by a small community of Vietnamese nuns, the "Lovers of the Cross", where he could celebrate Mass and continue his missionary activity through prayer.
Arrest, imprisonment, beheading canonisation
In 1861 Théophane was finally arrested and imprisoned in a bamboo cage before being beheaded for his faith. In 1865 his body was returned to his congregation's church in Paris, but his head remains in Tonkin. He was beatified with 19 other martyrs from Vietnam in 1909, and canonised in 1988.
Influence on Thérèse of Lisieux
Théophane's letters and his example inspired the young St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-97) to volunteer for the Carmelite nunnery at Hanoi. But she got tuberculosis and could not go. But because of her prayer for missionaries, she is regarded as patroness of missionaries.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early life
The son of a French schoolmaster, Théophane Vénard was born in 1829 in Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet. He joined the Society of Foreign Missionaries of Paris as a subdeacon from the seminary of Poitiers diocese. Ordained in 1852 he travelled the following autumn to Hong Kong. After two years learning Chinese, he was appointed to Tonkin (Vietnam), just as Christians there were being persecuted. He had a lot of sickness, but recovered each time. He was a devoted priest, often spending long hours in the confessional.In Hiding
In 1859 the emperor Tu-Duc, determined to put an end to the "Jesus religion", issued a new edict imposing the death penalty to priests, promised a reward to informants, and set out penalties for mandarins who were kind to Christians. Much of Théophane's ministry was spent hiding in caves and sampans, but he was a cheerful spirit, learned the local language and got on well with everyone he met. He and another priest, Fr Castex, were received by a small community of Vietnamese nuns, the "Lovers of the Cross", where he could celebrate Mass and continue his missionary activity through prayer.Arrest, imprisonment, beheading canonisationIn 1861 Théophane was finally arrested and imprisoned in a bamboo cage before being beheaded for his faith. In 1865 his body was returned to his congregation's church in Paris, but his head remains in Tonkin. He was beatified with 19 other martyrs from Vietnam in 1909, and canonised in 1988.
Influence on Thérèse of Lisieux
Théophane's letters and his example inspired the young St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-97) to volunteer for the Carmelite nunnery at Hanoi. But she got tuberculosis and could not go. But because of her prayer for missionaries, she is regarded as patroness of missionaries.
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Memorable Proverbs for today
The World is changed by your example
not by your opinion
~ Paulo Coelho ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 2nd February, 2026
The Presentation of the Lord
World Day for Consecrated Life
This feast is a remembrance of the Lord and Mary, his mother, before God's presence.
With a candle in her hands she welcomes the Lord as our Light
and like Simeon in the temple, reveal him to the nations.
First Reading
A reading from the prophet Malachi 3:1-4
The Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter the temple.
The Lord God says this:
Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears?For he is like the refiner's fire and the fuller's alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23: 7, 8, 9, 10
Response Who is the king of glory? It is the Lord.
1. O gates, lift up your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.Let him enter, the king of glory! Response
2. Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,
the Lord, the valiant in war. Response
3. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! Response
4. Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies,
he is the king of glory. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 2:14-18
It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers and sisters.
Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Jesus too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God's religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
The light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40 Glory to you, O Lord
My eyes have seen your salvation.
*When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord- observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord- and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
'Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel'.*
As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
'You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel,
destined to be a sign that is rejected, and a sword will pierce your own soul too so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare'.
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
(The shorter form of this gospel: Luke 2:22-32 Read Between the *)
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Gospel Reflection 2nd Feb The Presentation of the Lord Luke 2:22–40
The prayer of Simeon in today’s gospel reading has become part of the Night Prayer of the Church, ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace’. He is now ready to embrace death because his eyes have seen the Saviour promised by God in the Jewish Scriptures. It is often said of people who are dying that they seem to hang on until some loved one who has been away arrives to their bedside. Then, having seen their loved one or heard their voice, they slip away. When a young couple came to the Temple that day with their new born child, Simeon knew that the one he had been longing to see had finally arrived and he was now ready to depart this life. Simeon’s prayer has become part of the Night Prayer of the church because believers have recognized from earliest times that Simeon’s prayer can easily become our prayer.
Our eyes too have seen the salvation that God has prepared for all the nations to see. The light of God that shone upon Simeon through the child Jesus in the Temple on that day has shone upon all of us. The risen Lord journeys with us every day as God’s light, dispelling our darkness, guiding us along the right path. The candles we light on this day remind us that we have seen Jesus, the light of the world, with the eyes of faith, and that we will see him face to face in heaven, when eternal light shines upon us. The other elderly person in the gospel reading, Anna, spoke about the child of Mary and Joseph, God’s light to enlighten everyone, to all those who were looking forward to the Saviour whom God had promised. She reminds us that having looked upon Christ our Light with the eyes of faith, we are called to allow his light to shine through us so that others can be drawn to him.
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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/
Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 2nd February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an fáidh Malací 3:1-4
An Tiarna atá á lorg agaibh, rachaidh sé isteach ina Theampall go tobann.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna
“Féach! Tá mo theachtaire á chur amach agam chun an bóthar a réiteach romham; agus an Tiarna atá á lorg agaibh, rachaidh sé isteach ina Theampall go tobann; agus aingeal an chonartha, a bhfuil sibh ag tnúth leis, tá sé ag teacht, a deir Tiarna na Slua. Ach cé a fhulaingeoidh lá a theachta? Cé a fhéadfaidh seasamh nuair a thaibhseoidh sé?Óir, is cuma é nó tine an athleádóra agus buac an úcaire. Suífidh sé síos mar athleádóir, agus mar ghlantóir airgid, agus glanfaidh sé clann mhac Léiví agus athleáfaidh sé iad mar ór nó mar airgead sa chaoi go mbeidh a dhíol d’íobróirí iontu ag an Tiarna. Ansin, beidh íobairt Iúdá agus Iarúsailéim taitneamhach leis an Tiarna faoi mar a bhí sí anallód, na blianta fada ó shin.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia.
Salm le Freagra Sm 23: 7, 8, 9, 10
Freagra Cé he an Rí seo na glóire? Is é an Tiarna é.
1. Ardaígí bhur lindéir, a gheataí; éirígí suas, a dhoirse ársa,go dtaga Rí na glóire isteach. Freagra
2. Cé hé an rí seo na glóire? An Tiarna atá láidir tréan,
an Tiarna atá tréan i gcogadh. Freagra
3. Ardaígí bhur lindéir, a gheataí; éirígí suas, a d hoirse ársa,
go dtaga Rí na glóire isteach. Freagra
4. Cé hé an rí seo na glóire? Is é Tiarna mór na slua é.
Is é sin is Rí na glóire ann. Freagra
Alleluia Véarsa Lc 2: 32
Alleluia, Alleluia!
An solas chun na náisiúin a shoilsiú agus glóir do phobail Iosrael.
Alleluia!
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as litir chuig na Eabhraig 2:14-18
Níorbh fholáir dó bheith cosúil lena bhráithre i ngach slí.
Ós rud é go bhfuil nádúr daonna ag an gclann go léir, ghlac seisean an nádúr céanna sin. Rinne sé é sin chun an té a bhfuil an bás faoina cheannas, is é sin, an diabhal, a scriosadh trína bhás féin, agus chun a raibh faoi dhaoirse ar feadh a saoil le heagla an bháis a fhuascailt.
Óir is cinnte nach aingil is cúram dó ach sliocht Abrahám. Mar sin de, níorbh fholáir dó bheith cosúil lena bhráithre i ngach slí ionas go mbeadh sé ina ardsagart trócaireach dílis i seirbhís Dé a dhéanfadh cúiteamh leis i bpeacaí an phobail. Agus anois ós rud é gur fhulaing sé féin nuair a cuireadh cathú air is féidir leis cabhrú leo siúd a gcuirtear cathú orthu.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia.
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 2:22-40 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tá mo shúile tar éis do shlánú a fheiceáil.
Nuair a bhí na laethanta caite agus iad le híonghlanadh de réir dhlí Mhaois, thug a thuismitheoirí Íosa go Iarúsailéim é le toirbhirt don Tiarna – mar atá scríofa i ndlí an Tiarna: “Gach fíreannach atá ina chéadghin, is rud coisricthe don Tiarna é” – agus chun go n-ofrálfaidís mar íobairt, de réir a bhfuil ráite i ndlí an Tiarna, “péire colm nó dhá ghearrcach colúir.”
Bhí fear in Iarúsailéim darbh ainm Simeon, agus bhí an fear seo fíréanta diaga, ag súil le sólás Iosrael, agus bhí an Spiorad Naomh ina luí air. Agus bhí foilsiú faighte ón Spiorad Naomh aige nach bhfeicfeadh s
é an bás nó go bhfeicfeadh Meisias an Tiarna. Tháinig sé, faoi luí an Spioraid, isteach sa Teampall; agus le linn dá thuismitheoirí bheith ag tabhairt an linbh Íosa isteach chun go ndéanfaidís ar a shon de réir nós an dlí, ghlac seisean chuige ina ucht é, agus mhol Dia agus dúirt:"Anois atá tú ag scaoileadh do sheirbhísigh uait, a Thiarna, de réir d’fhocail, faoi shíocháin, mar tá mo shúile tar éis do shlánú a fheiceáil atá ullamh agat faoi chomhair na bpobal uile: solas chun na náisiúin a shoilsi agus glóir do phobail Iosrael.”
Agus bhí a athair agus a mhathair ag déanamh ionadh de na nithe a dúradh mar gheall air. Agus bheannaigh Simeon iad agus dúirt le Muire a mháthair:
“Feach, is dán dó seo bheith ina thrúig leagtha agus éirithe dá lán in Iosrael agus ina chomhartha a shéanfar – agus gabhfaidh claíomh trí d’anam féin – chun go bhfoilseofaí smaointe as mórán croíthe.”
Agus bhí banfháidh ann freisin, Anna iníon Fanuéil, de threibh Áiséar, í anonn i mblianta móra: mhair sí seacht mbliana ag a fear céile tar éis a hóghachta. Fágadh ina baintreach í, agus bhí ceithre bliana ochtód an uair seo aici; agus ní fhágadh sí an Teampall, ag seirbhís do Dhia de lá agus d’oíche le troscadh agus le hurnaithe. Tháinig sí i láthair an uair sin féin, agus thug moladh agus buíochas do Dhia; agus labhair sí mar gheall air le cách a bhí ag súil le Iarúsailéim a fhuascailt.
Nuair a bhí gach ní curtha i gcrích acu de réir dhlí an Tiarna, d’fhill siad ar an nGailíl, go dtí a gcathair féin Nazarat. Agus d’fhás an leanbh agus neartaigh, é lán d’eagna; agus bhí grásta Dé ina luí air.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 8th February, 2026
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The Beatitudes are how Jesus describes his own values in life and his wish for us
that we should live in tune with these advisories for the development of God's Kingdom.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 58:7-10
When will your light shine like the dawn
Thus says the Lord:Share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor,
clothe the man you see to be naked and turn not from your own kin.
Then will your light shine like the dawn
and your wound be quickly healed over.
Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer;
call, and he will say, 'I am here'.
If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word,
if you give your bread to the hungry,
and relief to the oppressed,
your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 111: 4-9, R/v1
Response The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.
1. He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour. Response
2. The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news; with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. Response
3. With a steadfast heart he will not fear; open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever. His head will be raised in glory. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Corinthians 2:1-5
During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus,
and only about him as the crucified Christ.
When I came to you, brothers, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy, but simply to tell you what God had guaranteed. During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus, and only about him as the crucified Christ. Far from relying on any power of my own, I came among you in great 'fear and trembling' and in my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God.The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 8:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord,
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 5: 13-16 Glory to you, Lord
You are the light of the world.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.'You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house.
In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.'
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/
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 8th February, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as Íseáia, Fáidh 58:7-10
Ansin scallfaidh do sholas amach mar an maidneachan
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna:
Do chuid aráin a roinnt le lucht ocrais, dídean a thabhairt do bhochtáin gan teach gan treabh,
éadach a chur ar an té a fheiceann tú nocht
agus gan faillí a dhéanamh i do dhualgas i leith do mhuintire.
Ansin scallfaidh do sholas amach mar an maidneachan
agus is gearr go dtaga cneasú ar do chréachtaí.
Rachaidh d’fhíréantacht romhat amach
agus glóir an Tiarna i do dhiaidh.
Ansin, má ghlaonn tú, tabharfaidh an Tiarna freagra ort;
nuair a scairtfidh tú, déarfaidh sé: “Seo anseo mé.”
Má dhíbríonn tú an leatrom as do chúrsaí,
bagairt na méire agus an chaint urchóideach,
má thugann tú do chuid aráin don ocrach
agus a sháith don duine dearóil,
éireoidh do sholas sa dorchadas agus beidh do ghruaim ina loinnir mheán lae.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 111:4-9, R/v1
Freagra Lonraíonn an dea-dhuine sa dorchacht do dhaoine cneasta.
1. Lonraíonn sé sa dorchacht do dhaoine cneasta: is trócaireach é, is fial, is ionraic.
Bíonn an dea-dhuine carthanach airleacthach, riarann sé a ghnó go ceart onórach. Freagra
2. Ní chorrófar an fíréan choíche: mairfidh a chuimhne go brách na breithe.
Ní chuirfidh drochscéal eagla air; is daingean a chroí, is e an Tiarna a dhóchas. Freagra
3. Is dílis daingean a chroí gan eagla; feicfidh sé a naimhde agus iad á dtreascairt.
Dáileann sé a chuid go fial ar lueht an ghátair.Maireann a fhéile go brách agus choíche. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig Coirintigh 15: 3-8. 11
Fad a bheinn in bhur measc gan aon ní eile a aithint ach Íosa Críost agus eisean arna chéasadh.
I dtaca liomsa, a bhráithre, nuair a tháinig mé chugaibh, níor tháinig mé ag fógairt [rúndiamhair] Dé le hardnós cainte ná eagna. Shocraigh mé i m’aigne fad a bheinn in bhur measc gan aon ní eile a aithint ach Íosa Críost agus eisean arna chéasadh. Is mé a bhí go lagbhríoch in bhur measc agus mé lán d’uamhan agus d’eagla. Agus ní ar bhriathra mealltacha na heagna daonna a bhí mo scéal agus m’fhógra ag brath ach ar fhoilsiú an Spioraid agus na cumhachta, i dtreo nach ar eagna dhaonna a bheadh bhur gcreideamhsa bunaithe ach ar chumhacht Dé.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 10: 27
Alleluia, alleluia!
Éisteann mo chaoirigh le mo ghlór, agus aithním iad, agus leanann siad mé.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eóin 5: 13-16
Is sibhse solas an domhain
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:“Is sibhse salann na talún. Ach má éiríonn an salann leamh, cad a dhéanfaidh goirt arís é? Níl tairbhe ann feasta chun rud ar bith, ach é a chaitheamh amach mar a ngabhfar de chosa ann.
Is sibhse solas an domhain. Cathair ar mhullach cnoic ní féidir í a cheilt. Ná ní lastar lampa chun é a chur faoi bhéal na peice, ach in airde ar an gcrann solais mar a dtugann sé solas dá mbíonn sa teach.
Sibhse mar an gcéanna, bíodh bhur solas ag taitneamh os comhair daoine chun go bhfeicfidís bhur ndeaghníomhartha agus go nglóireoidís bhur nAthair atá ar neamh.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
