Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
April 11 - St Stanislaus of Krakow 1030-79 (1)
Summary: St Stanislaus is often called 'The Martyr' to distinguish him from the young Jesuit novice St Stanislaus Kostka. Traditionally he is regarded as the patron of Poland, but he is also venerated in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine.
Patrick Duffy gathers together some information about his life.
Priest and bishop at Krakow
Stanislaus was born in 1030 of noble and pious parents at Szczcepanow and was educated at the cathedral school at Gniezno, then the capital of Poland, and possibly at Paris. He was ordained priest and served as a canon of the cathedral at Krakow. He was elected bishop of Krakow in 1072. He gained a reputation as a preacher and benefactor of the poor.
Conflict with Boleslaus the Bold
Stanislaus came into conflict with Boleslaus II, called the Bold, who by asserting his power in Bohemia, Hungary and south Russia, became king of Poland in 1076. Stanislaus had reproved him for abducting a nobleman's wife and, when he refused to repent, excommunicated him. Boleslaus attacked and murdered Stanislaus while he was saying Mass. For this the pope, Gregory VII, with whom Boleslaus had previously made an alliance against Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire, put Poland under interdict. The murder caused outrage and soon the nobles revolted and deposed Boleslaus, who spent the rest of his life as a penitent in the Benedictine abbey in Osiak.
Another view
Some historians, however, suggest that Stanislaus was involved in a land dispute and that he was guilty of plotting to dethrone the king.
Veneration
Soon after his death Stanislaus was honoured as a martyr and in 1088 his relics were brought to Krakow's Wawel cathedral where he is still honoured today. He was canonised at Assisi by Pope Innocent IV in 1253.
Patrick Duffy gathers together some information about his life.
Priest and bishop at KrakowStanislaus was born in 1030 of noble and pious parents at Szczcepanow and was educated at the cathedral school at Gniezno, then the capital of Poland, and possibly at Paris. He was ordained priest and served as a canon of the cathedral at Krakow. He was elected bishop of Krakow in 1072. He gained a reputation as a preacher and benefactor of the poor.
Conflict with Boleslaus the Bold
Stanislaus came into conflict with Boleslaus II, called the Bold, who by asserting his power in Bohemia, Hungary and south Russia, became king of Poland in 1076. Stanislaus had reproved him for abducting a nobleman's wife and, when he refused to repent, excommunicated him. Boleslaus attacked and murdered Stanislaus while he was saying Mass. For this the pope, Gregory VII, with whom Boleslaus had previously made an alliance against Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire, put Poland under interdict. The murder caused outrage and soon the nobles revolted and deposed Boleslaus, who spent the rest of his life as a penitent in the Benedictine abbey in Osiak.Another view
Some historians, however, suggest that Stanislaus was involved in a land dispute and that he was guilty of plotting to dethrone the king.
Veneration
Soon after his death Stanislaus was honoured as a martyr and in 1088 his relics were brought to Krakow's Wawel cathedral where he is still honoured today. He was canonised at Assisi by Pope Innocent IV in 1253.
Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 11th April, 2026
Easter Saturday
Jesus has to reproach his disciples for being so slow to believe in his resurrection
and alerted them that they will find the same amongst their followers.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 4:13-21
We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.
The rulers, elders, and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion.
'What are we going to do with these men?' they asked. 'It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.'
So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John retorted,
'You must judge whether in God's eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.'
The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 117: 1. 14-21. R/v 21
Response I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.
Or Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just. Response
2. The Lord's right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds.
I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die. Response
3. Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks.
This is the Lord's own gate where the just may enter.
I will thank you for you have given answer and you are my saviour. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 117: 24
Alleluia, Alleluia!
This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 16:9-15
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.
Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table.
He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, 'Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Scripture Reflection Easter Saturday Mark 16:9-15
The impression today’s gospel reading gives is that the first disciples found it very difficult to believe reports that Jesus who had been crucified was now alive. When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and she went and told the disciples what had happened, they were in such deep mourning that they did not believe her. When Jesus appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and they went and told the disciples their news, they did not believe them either. It was only when the risen Lord appeared to the group of disciples themselves that they finally believed that Jesus who was crucified was now living with a new quality of life. On that occasion, the risen Lord rebuked them for refusing to believe the witness of those to whom he had appeared. We are asked to do what the original disciples failed to do, to believe that Jesus is risen on the basis of the witness of those to whom the risen Lord appeared. We find this witness in the gospels and in the letters of Paul.
Our belief in the risen Lord is also based on his coming to us personally. He may not appear to us in the way he appeared to the first disciples, but he touches our own lives in a very personal way. We are to believe on the basis of the written testimony of the first eye witnesses, and on the basis of our own personal experience of the risen Lord’s presence in our lives. The risen Lord who comes to us sends us out in the same way he sent out the disciples in today’s gospel reading, to ‘proclaim the good news (of Easter) to all creation’.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings : The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications , c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 11th April, 2026
Satharn, Seachtain na Cásca
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 4:13-21
Ní féidir linn gan labhairt ar a bhfuil feicthe agus cloiste againn.
Nuair a chonaic na huacharáin, na seanóirí, agus na scríobhaithe a dhánacht a bhí Peadar agus Eoin agus nuair a thug siadm faoi deara nach raibh iontu ach gháthdhaoine gan léann, bhí an dubhiontas orthu. D’aithin siad ansin gur chomrádaithe d’Íosa ba ea iad. Ach ag breathnú dóibh ar an bhfear a leigheasadh agus é ina sheasamh láimh leo ní raibh aon fhreagra acu orthu. Mar sin de, d’ordaigh siad dóibh dul amach as halla na sainidríne agus chuaigh siad féin i gcomhairle le chéile.
“Cad a dhéanfaimid leis na daoine seo?” ar siad. “Tá míorúilt shuntasach déanta acu, rud is follas d’áitritheoirí Iarúsailéim ar fad, agus ní féidir dúinne é a shéanadh. Ach i dtreo nach leathfadh an scéal seo níos mó i measc an phobail, déanaimis bagairt orthu gan labhairt go deo arís faoin duine seo le neach ar bith.”Ghlaoigh siad chucu ansin iad agus thug foláireamh dóibh gan caint ná teagasc a dhéanamh ar chor ar bith in ainm Íosa. D’fhreagair Peadar agus Eoin iad, áfach:
“Fágaimid fúibh féin a mheas,” ar siad, “cé acu is córa dúinn i bhfianaise Dé, rud a dhéanamh oraibhse nó ar Dhia. Mar ní féidir linn gan labhairt ar a bhfuil feicthe agus cloiste againn.”
Tar éis dóibh bagairt eile a dhéanamh orthu scaoil siad saor iad mar nach raibh aon dul acu ar iad a smachtú mar gheall ar an bpobal, de bhrí go raibh gach aon duine ag moladh Dé as an ní a bhí tite amach.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 117: 1. 14-21. R/v 21
Freagra Gabhaim buíochas leat de bhrí gur éist tú liom; agus gur tú mo shlánaitheoir.
Malairt freagra Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
1. Tugaigí buíochas don Tiarna toisc gur maith é; agus go maireann a bhuanghrá go brách.
Is é an Tiarna mo neart is mo mhisneach; is é a thug slán mé.
Cluintear gártha lúcháire is caithréime i mbothanna na bhfíréan. Freagra
2. “D’oibrigh deaslámh an Tiarna go tréan; is i a dheaslámh a d’ardaigh mé.
D’oibrigh deaslámh an Tiarna go tréan.” Ní éagfaidh mé, mairfidh mé;
agus inseoidh mé a mhóréachtaí.
Cé gur smachtaigh an Tiarna go dian mé,níor dhaor sé chun báis mé. Freagra
3. Osclaígí dom doirse na fíréantachta; rachaidh mé isteach a thabhairt buíochais.
Seo agaibh doras an Tiarna trína rachaidh na fíréin isteach.
Gabhaim buíochas leat de bhrí gur éist tú liom; agus gur tú mo shlánaitheoir. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Marcas 16:9-15 Glóir duit, a Thiarna
Imígí faoin domhan uile agus fógraígí an soiscéal don chruthaíocht uile.
Tar éis aiséirí dó maidin an chéad lae den tseachtain, thaispeáin sé é féin ar dtús do Mháire Mhaigdiléana, an bhean as ar chaith sé seacht ndeamhain amach.D’imigh sise agus d’inis sí é don mhuintir a bhíodh in éineacht leis, agus iadsan ag caoi agus ag gol. Ach nuair a chuala siadsan go raibh sé beo, agus go raibh sé feicthe aici, níor chreid siad.
Ina dhiaidh sin thaispeáin sé é féin, i riocht eile, do bheirt acu agus iad ar an tslí ag gabháil amach faoin tuath. Tháinig siadsan ar ais agus d’inis don chuid eile é, ach ní mó ná sin a chreid siad iadsan.
Níos déanaí, thaispeáin sé é féin don aonar déag agus iad ag bord, agus d’athchas sé leo a ndíchreideamh agus stuacacht a gcroí, mar nár chreid siad an mhuintir a chonaic é aiséirithe. Agus dúirt sé leo: “Imígí faoin domhan uile agus fógraígí an Soiscéal don chruthaíocht uile.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 12th April, 2026
Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
The struggle for faith experienced by Thomas leads us to think on the meaning of faith in the risen Christ. We cannot depend on physical experience of Christ but we can know his presence in gathered community, in the hearing of the word and in sacramental signs. So the Christian community is a thankful one, always blessing God for a sure hope through the resurrection of Christ.
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47
The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common.
The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone. The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 117: 2-4. 13-15. 22-24. R/v 1
Response Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. Let the sons of Israel say: 'His love has no end.'
Let the sons of Aaron say: 'His love has no end,'
Let those who fear the Lord say: 'His love has no end.' Response
2. I was thrust, thrust down and falling but the Lord was my helper.
The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just. Response
3. The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Peter 1:3-9
In his great mercy God has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God's power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold - only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire - and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 20: 29
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Jesus said to him: 'You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.'
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to John 20:19-31 Glory to you, O Lord
Eight days later, Jesus came.
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them.
He said to them, 'Peace be with you', and showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again,
'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.'
After saying this he breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, 'We have seen the Lord',he answered, 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe'.
Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them.
'Peace be with you' he said.
Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands.
Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.'
Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!'
Jesus said to him:
'You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.'
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 12th April, 2026
AN DARA DOMHNACH DEN CHAISC
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as an Leabhar Gníomhartha na nAspal 2:42-47
Agus an méid a chreid, bhídís i bhfochair a chéile, agus bhíodh gach ulle núí I gcomhar acu.
Chloígh na bráithre seasmach le teagasc na n-aspal, le comaoin ar a chéile, le briseadh an aráin agus leis na hurnaithe. Is iomaí míorúilt agus éacht a bhí á dhéanamh ag na haspail, rud a chuir uamhan ar chách.Bhí na creidmhigh go léir in aon bhuíon le chéile agus bhí gach ní i bpáirt acu; dhíolaidís a gcuid sealúchais agus a gcuid maoine agus roinnidís a luach ar chách de réir mar a bhíodh aon duine acu ar an gcaolchuid.
Thagaidís le chéile in aon bhuíon sa Teampall gach lá ach bhrisidís arán i dtithe a chéile agus chaithidís a gcuid le chéile lemóráthas agus le sástacht chroí agus iad ag moladh Dé. Agus bhí gnaoi an phobail orthu. Agus ó lá go lá bhí an Tiarna ag cur le líon na ndaoine a bhí ar bhealach a slánaithe.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 117: 2-4. 13-15. 22-24. R/v 1
Freagra Tugaigí buíochas den Tiarna toisc gur maith é:
óir maireann a ghrá de shíor.
Malairt freagra : Alleluia
I. Bíodh teaghlach Isráél á rá: 'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.'
Bíodh teaghlach Árón á rá: 'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.'
Abradh an dream lerb eagal an Tiarna: 'Maireann a ghrá de shíor.' Freagra
2. Teilgeadh síos mé i dtreo is go dtitfinn, ach chuidigh an Tiarna liom.
Is é an Tiarna mo neart is mo mhisneach: is é a thug slán mé.
Cluintear gártha lúcháire is caithréime i bpubaill na bhfíréan. Freagra
3. An chloch dár dhiúltaigh na saoir, rinne ceann an chúinne di.
Is é an Tiarna a rinne é seo, agus is éachtach linne é.
Is é seo an lá a rinne an Tiarna: bíodh áthas is gliondar orainn. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Peadar 1:3-9
D ‘athghin sé sinn trí aiséirI losa Críost ó mhairbh, ionas go mbeadh beomhuinín againn.
Moladh le Dia agus Athair ár dTiarna Íosa Críost!
D’athghin sé sinn as ucht a mhórthrócaire, trí aiséirí Íosa Críost ó mhairbh, chun bheomhuiníne agus chun oidhreachta atá marthanach dothruaillithe, gan síothlú, oidhreacht atá in áirithe daoibh sna flaithis. Tá sibh anois do bhur gcumhdach tríd an gcreideamh ag Dia na bhfeart, le haghaidh an tslánaithe atá réidh lena fhoilsiú ag deireadh ré. Is údar lúcháire agaibhse é seo, fiú más dobrónach féin sibh ar feadh tamaill bhig de bharr trialacha den uile chineál, d’fhonn go bhfaighfí fíormhianach bhur gcreidimh, atá níos luachmhaire ná ór – rud atá somhillte cé go dtástáiltear sa tine é – ag dul chun molta agus onóra agus glóire tráth a fhoilseofar Íosa Críost. Ní fhaca sibh é, ach tugann sibh grá dó; ní fheiceann sibh anois féin é, ach creideann sibh ann, agus is lúcháireach sibh le háthas glórmhar dolabhartha, agus slánú bhur n-anam á ghnóthú agaibh mar thoradh ar bhur gcreideamh.Alleluia Véarsa Eoin 20:29
Alleluia, Alleluia!
'De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú,' a deir an Tiarna.
'Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 20:19-31 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tráthnóna an lae chéanna, an chéad lá den tseachtain, tháinig Íosa.
Tráthnóna an lae chéanna, an chéad lá den tseachtain, agus na doirse faoi ghlas le heagla na nGiúdach, san áit ina raibh na deisceabail, tháinig Íosa agus sheas ina measc agus dúirt leo: “Síocháin daoibh!”
Á rá sin dó, thaispeáin sé dóibh a lámha agus a chliathán. Bhí áthas ar na deisceabail nuair a chonaic siad an Tiarna. Dúirt Íosa leo ansin arís:
“Síocháin daoibh! Amhail mar a chuir an tAthair uaidh mise, táimse do bhur gcursa uaim freisin.”
Arna rá sin dó, d’análaigh sé orthu agus dúirt leo:
“Glacaigí an Spiorad Naomh. Na daoine a maithfidh sibh a bpeacaí dóibh, beidh siad maite dóibh; na daoine a gcoinneoidh sibh a bpeacaí, beidh a bpeacaí coinnithe.”
Tomás, duine den dáréag ar a dtugtaí an Leathchúpla, ní raibh sé leo nuair a tháinig Íosa. Dúirt na deisceabail eile leis: “Chonaiceamar an Tiarna.”Ach dúirt seisean leo: “Mura bhfeicfidh mé rian na dtairní ar a dhearnana, agus mo mhéar a chur i bpoll na dtairní, agus mo lámh ina chliathán, ní chreidfidh mé.”
Ocht lá ina dhiaidh sin, bhí a dheisceabail istigh arís, agus Tomás in éineacht leo. Tháinig Íosa agus na doirse faoi ghlas, sheas sé ina measc agus dúirt:
“Síocháin daoibh!”
Ansin dúirt sé le Tomás:
“Tabhair i leith do mhéar agus féach mo dhearnana, sín amach do lámh agus cuir i mo chliathán í, agus ná bí díchreidmheach ach creidmheach.”
D’fhreagair Tomás: “Mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia!”
Dúirt Íosa leis:
“De bhrí go bhfaca tú mé, a Thomáis, chreid tú. Is méanar dóibh seo nach bhfaca agus a chreid.”
Bhí go leor fearta eile fós a rinne Íosa os comhair a dheisceabal, agus níl aon chur síos orthu sa leabhar seo. Ach cuireadh an méid sin i scríbhinn chun go gcreidfeadh sibh gurb é Íosa an Criost, Mac Dé, agus á chreidiúint go mbeadh an bheatha agaibh ina ainm.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
