Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
May 16 - St Brendan, Abbot AD 486-578
Summary: St Brendan, abbot. a Kerryman who was born in 484-486. He studied at Clonard under Finnian. His name is connected with many places in Kerry such as Ardfert and Mount Brandon. He visited Scotland and reached the Hebrides and possibly areas beyond. He founded a monastery in Clonfert in 568 and died there in 578.)
St Brendan of Kerry
There is very little secure information concerning Brendan's life, although at least the approximate dates of his birth and death, and accounts of some events in his life, are found in the Irish annals and genealogies.
Paddy Duffy draws the different strands together
St Brendan, abbot. a Kerryman The first mention of Brendan occurs in Adamnan's Vita Sancti Columbae, written between 679 and 704. Often referred to as The Navigator, he first he first came to notice as a seafarer in the ninth century Martyrology of Tallaght.
The principal works devoted to the saint and his legend are a 'Life of Brendan' in several Latin and Irish versions (Vita Brendani / Betha Brenainn) and the better known 'Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot' (Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis). Unfortunately, the Lives and the Voyage provide little reliable information about his life and travels; they do, however, attest to the development of his following in the centuries after his death. An additional problem is that the precise relationship between the Vita and the Navigatio traditions is uncertain.
Any attempt to reconstruct the details of the life of the real Brendan or to understand the nature of the Brendan legend has to be based principally on the Irish annals and genealogies and on the various versions of the Vita Brendani.
In 484 AD Brendan was born in Tralee, in County Kerry, in the province of Munster, in the south-west of Ireland. He was born among the Altraige, a tribe originally centred around Tralee Bay, to parents called Finnlug and Cara. Tradition has it that he was born in the Kilfenora/Fenit area on the North side of the bay.
He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert by Saint Erc, and was originally to be called "Mobhí" but signs and portents attending his birth and baptism led to him being christened 'Broen-finn' or 'fair-drop'. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster". When he was six he was sent to Saint Jarlath's monastery school at Tuam to further his education. Brendan is one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", one of those said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.
At the age of twenty-six, Brendan was ordained a priest by Saint Erc. Afterwards, he founded a number of monasteries. Brendan’s first voyage took him to the Arran Islands, where he founded a monastery. He also visited Hinba (Argyll), an island off Scotland where he is said to have met Columcille (Columba). On the same voyage he traveled to Wales, and finally to Brittany, on the northern coast of France. Between the years 512 and 530 Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and, at the foot of Mount Brandon, Shanakeel— Seana Cill, usually translated as "the old church". From here he is supposed to have set out on his famous seven-year voyage for Paradise. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the "Egressio familiae S. Brendani".
Legendary journeys
St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator. Many versions exist that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixteen pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the Garden of Eden. One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo, the namesake of Saint-Malo. If it happened, this would have occurred sometime between AD 512–530, before his travel to the island of Great Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen Saint Brendan's Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation. He also encountered a sea monster, an adventure he shared with his contemporary Saint Columba. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called Jasconius or Jascon. This too, has its parallels in other stories, not only in Irish mythology but in other traditions, from Sinbad the Sailor to Pinocchio.
The Voyage of Saint Brendan
The earliest extant version of The Voyage of Saint Brendan was recorded around AD 900. There are over 100 manuscripts of the story across Europe, as well as many additional translations. The Voyage of Saint Brendan is an overtly Christian narrative, but also contains narratives of natural phenomena and fantastical events and places, which appealed to a broad populace. The Voyage of Saint Brendan contains many parallels and inter-textual references to the Voyage of Bran and the Voyage of Máel Dúin.
On the Kerry coast, he built a currach-like boat of wattle, covered it with hides tanned in oak bark softened with butter, set up a mast and a sail. He and a small group of monks fasted for forty days, and after a prayer upon the shore, embarked in the name of the Trinity. The account is characterized by a great deal of literary license and contains references to hell where “great demons threw down lumps of fiery slag from an island with rivers of gold fire” and “great crystal pillars.” Many now believe these to be references to the volcanic activity around Iceland, and to icebergs.
Later life
Brendan travelled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland; returning to Ireland, he founded a monastery at Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his days.He also founded a convent at Annaghdown for his sister Briga. Having established the bishopric of Ardfert, St Brendan proceeded to Thomond, and founded a monastery at Inis-da-druim (now Coney Island), in the present parish of Killadysert, County Clare, about the year 550. He then journeyed to Wales and studied under Saint Gildas at Llancarfan, and thence to Iona, for he is said to have left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kil-brandon (near Oban) and Kil-brennan Sound. After a three years' mission in Britain he returned to Ireland, and did more proselytising in various parts of Leinster, especially at Dysart (County Kilkenny), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He established churches at Inchiquin, County Galway and at Inishglora, County Mayo, and founded Clonfert in Galway around 557 AD. He died c. 577 at Annaghdown, while visiting his sister Briga. Fearing that after his death his devotees might take his remains as relics, Brendan had arranged before dying to have his body secretly carried back to the monastery he founded at Clonfert concealed in a luggage cart. He was buried in Clonfert Cathedral.
St Brendan of Kerry
There is very little secure information concerning Brendan's life, although at least the approximate dates of his birth and death, and accounts of some events in his life, are found in the Irish annals and genealogies.Paddy Duffy draws the different strands together
St Brendan, abbot. a Kerryman The first mention of Brendan occurs in Adamnan's Vita Sancti Columbae, written between 679 and 704. Often referred to as The Navigator, he first he first came to notice as a seafarer in the ninth century Martyrology of Tallaght.
The principal works devoted to the saint and his legend are a 'Life of Brendan' in several Latin and Irish versions (Vita Brendani / Betha Brenainn) and the better known 'Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot' (Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis). Unfortunately, the Lives and the Voyage provide little reliable information about his life and travels; they do, however, attest to the development of his following in the centuries after his death. An additional problem is that the precise relationship between the Vita and the Navigatio traditions is uncertain.
Any attempt to reconstruct the details of the life of the real Brendan or to understand the nature of the Brendan legend has to be based principally on the Irish annals and genealogies and on the various versions of the Vita Brendani.
In 484 AD Brendan was born in Tralee, in County Kerry, in the province of Munster, in the south-west of Ireland. He was born among the Altraige, a tribe originally centred around Tralee Bay, to parents called Finnlug and Cara. Tradition has it that he was born in the Kilfenora/Fenit area on the North side of the bay.
He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert by Saint Erc, and was originally to be called "Mobhí" but signs and portents attending his birth and baptism led to him being christened 'Broen-finn' or 'fair-drop'. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster". When he was six he was sent to Saint Jarlath's monastery school at Tuam to further his education. Brendan is one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", one of those said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.
At the age of twenty-six, Brendan was ordained a priest by Saint Erc. Afterwards, he founded a number of monasteries. Brendan’s first voyage took him to the Arran Islands, where he founded a monastery. He also visited Hinba (Argyll), an island off Scotland where he is said to have met Columcille (Columba). On the same voyage he traveled to Wales, and finally to Brittany, on the northern coast of France. Between the years 512 and 530 Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and, at the foot of Mount Brandon, Shanakeel— Seana Cill, usually translated as "the old church". From here he is supposed to have set out on his famous seven-year voyage for Paradise. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the "Egressio familiae S. Brendani".
Legendary journeys
St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator. Many versions exist that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixteen pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the Garden of Eden. One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo, the namesake of Saint-Malo. If it happened, this would have occurred sometime between AD 512–530, before his travel to the island of Great Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen Saint Brendan's Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation. He also encountered a sea monster, an adventure he shared with his contemporary Saint Columba. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called Jasconius or Jascon. This too, has its parallels in other stories, not only in Irish mythology but in other traditions, from Sinbad the Sailor to Pinocchio.The Voyage of Saint Brendan
The earliest extant version of The Voyage of Saint Brendan was recorded around AD 900. There are over 100 manuscripts of the story across Europe, as well as many additional translations. The Voyage of Saint Brendan is an overtly Christian narrative, but also contains narratives of natural phenomena and fantastical events and places, which appealed to a broad populace. The Voyage of Saint Brendan contains many parallels and inter-textual references to the Voyage of Bran and the Voyage of Máel Dúin.
On the Kerry coast, he built a currach-like boat of wattle, covered it with hides tanned in oak bark softened with butter, set up a mast and a sail. He and a small group of monks fasted for forty days, and after a prayer upon the shore, embarked in the name of the Trinity. The account is characterized by a great deal of literary license and contains references to hell where “great demons threw down lumps of fiery slag from an island with rivers of gold fire” and “great crystal pillars.” Many now believe these to be references to the volcanic activity around Iceland, and to icebergs.
Later life
Brendan travelled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland; returning to Ireland, he founded a monastery at Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his days.He also founded a convent at Annaghdown for his sister Briga. Having established the bishopric of Ardfert, St Brendan proceeded to Thomond, and founded a monastery at Inis-da-druim (now Coney Island), in the present parish of Killadysert, County Clare, about the year 550. He then journeyed to Wales and studied under Saint Gildas at Llancarfan, and thence to Iona, for he is said to have left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kil-brandon (near Oban) and Kil-brennan Sound. After a three years' mission in Britain he returned to Ireland, and did more proselytising in various parts of Leinster, especially at Dysart (County Kilkenny), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He established churches at Inchiquin, County Galway and at Inishglora, County Mayo, and founded Clonfert in Galway around 557 AD. He died c. 577 at Annaghdown, while visiting his sister Briga. Fearing that after his death his devotees might take his remains as relics, Brendan had arranged before dying to have his body secretly carried back to the monastery he founded at Clonfert concealed in a luggage cart. He was buried in Clonfert Cathedral.
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Memorable Sayings for Today
The Christian's journey through life is not a sprint,
it's a marathon.
We aren’t only called to become Christians;
we are called to be Christians.
Becoming a Christian is the work of a moment;
being a Christian is the work of a lifetime.
~ Rev Billy Graham ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 16th May, 2026
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Saint of the Day: 16 May; St Brendan of Clonfert, abbot
c/f short history of today’s memorial saint can be found below today’s Readings and Reflection
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 18:23-28
Apollos demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Paul came down to Antioch where he spent a short time before continuing his journey through the Galatian country and then through Phrygia, encouraging all the followers.
An Alexandrian Jew named Apollos now arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, with a sound knowledge of the scriptures, and yet, though he had been given instruction in the Way of the Lord and preached with great spiritual earnestness and was accurate in all the details he taught about Jesus, he had only experienced the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak boldly in the synagogue, they took an interest in him and gave him further instruction about the Way.When Apollos thought of crossing over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote asking the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived there he was able by God's grace to help the believers considerably by the energetic way he refuted the Jews in public and demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 46:2-3,8-10. Rv 8
Response God is king of all the earth.
Or Alleluia!
1. All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear, great king over all the earth. Response
2. God is king of all the earth. Sing praise with all your skill.
God is king over the nations: God reigns on his holy throne. Response
3. The princes of the peoples are assembled with the people of Abraham's God.
The rulers of the earth belong to God, to God who reigns over all. Response
Gospel Acclamation Jn 14:66
Alleluia, alleluia!
I shall ask the Father, and he will give you
another Advocate to be with you forever.
Alleluia!
or Jn 16: 28
Alleluia, alleluia!
'I came from the Father and have come into the world
and now I leave the world to go to the Father.'
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 16:23-28 Glory to you, O Lord
The Father loves you for loving me and believing.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'I tell you most solemnly, anything you ask for from the Father he will grant
in my name. 'Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.I have been telling you all this in metaphors, the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors; but tell you about the Father in plain words.
When that day comes you will ask in my name; and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you, because the Father himself loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the Father.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection Saturday, Sixth Week of Easter John 16:23-28
Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives us an insight into how people in the early church supported one another in faith. We are introduced in that reading to a man called Apollos. By all accounts he was a very impressive figure; he had a sound knowledge of the Scriptures; he spoke with great eloquence, and had been given instruction in the faith, in the Way of the Lord. Yet, it is clear that he needed further instruction in the faith and that was given to him by a married couple by the name of Priscilla and Aquila. Apollos obviously had gifts that this married couple did not have, and, yet, they had something which he didn’t have; they had a fuller understanding of the way of the Lord. Apollos had a great deal to offer but he also had something to receive from this married couple. That is how it is in the church. We need each other’s faith if we are to grow in faith. We need the believing community if we are to grow in our relationship with the Lord. Within the community of faith we have an opportunity to give from our own faith and to receive from the faith of others. As members of the body of Christ, we all have something to offer and we all have something to receive. When it comes to our relationship with the Lord we are always interdependent. We need the church, the living community of faith; we cannot go it alone.
The gospel reading suggests that above all we need the Lord who comes to us in and through the members of the church. We need to pray, to ask the Lord for the help that he alone can give us, the help that enables us to do his work, and, indeed, as he says, to do even greater works than he has done. Jesus almost seems to rebuke the disciples when he says in the gospel reading, ‘until now you have not asked for anything in my name’. He encourages us to ask, to live our lives as his followers not on our resources but in union with him, recognizing our dependence on 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/
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Saint of the Day: 16 May; St Brendan of Clonfert, abbot
Brendan, abbot was a Kerryman born in 484-486. He studied at Clonard under Finnian. His name is connected with many places in Kerry such as Ardfert and Mount Brandon. He visited Scotland and reached the Hebrides and possibly areas beyond. He founded a monastery in Clonfert in 568 and died there in 578.)
St Brendan of Kerry
There is very little secure information concerning Brendan's life, although at least the approximate dates of his birth and death, and accounts of some events in his life, are found in the Irish annals and genealogies.Paddy Duffy draws the different strands together
St Brendan, abbot. a Kerryman The first mention of Brendan occurs in Adamnan's Vita Sancti Columbae, written between 679 and 704. Often referred to as 'The Navigator,' he first he first came to notice as a seafarer in the ninth century Martyrology of Tallaght.
The principal works devoted to the saint and his legend are a 'Life of Brendan' in several Latin and Irish versions (Vita Brendani / Betha Brenainn) and the better known 'Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot' (Navigatio sancti Brendani abbatis). Unfortunately, the Lives and the Voyage provide little reliable information about his life and travels; they do, however, attest to the development of his following in the centuries after his death. An additional problem is that the precise relationship between the Vita and the Navigatio traditions is uncertain.
Irish Annals
Any attempt to reconstruct the details of the life of the real Brendan or to understand the nature of the Brendan legend has to be based principally on the Irish annals and genealogies and on the various versions of the Vita Brendani.
In 484 AD Brendan was born in Tralee, in County Kerry, in the province of Munster, in the south-west of Ireland. He was born among the Altraige, a tribe originally centred around Tralee Bay, to parents called Finnlug and Cara. Tradition has it that he was born in the Kilfenora/Fenit area on the North side of the bay.
He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert by Saint Erc, and was originally to be called "Mobhí" but signs and portents attending his birth and baptism led to him being christened 'Broen-finn' or 'fair-drop'. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster". When he was six he was sent to Saint Jarlath's monastery school at Tuam to further his education. Brendan is one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", one of those said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.
At the age of twenty-six, Brendan was ordained a priest by Saint Erc. Afterwards, he founded a number of monasteries. Brendan’s first voyage took him to the Arran Islands, where he founded a monastery. He also visited Hinba (Argyll), an island off Scotland where he is said to have met Columcille (Columba). On the same voyage he traveled to Wales, and finally to Brittany, on the northern coast of France. Between the years 512 and 530 Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and, at the foot of Mount Brandon, Shanakeel— Seana Cill, usually translated as "the old church". From here he is supposed to have set out on his famous seven-year voyage for Paradise. The old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the "Egressio familiae S. Brendani".
Legendary journeys
St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century 'Voyage of St Brendan the Navigator'. Many versions exist that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixteen pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the Garden of Eden. One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo, the namesake of Saint-Malo. If it happened, this would have occurred sometime between AD 512–530, before his travel to the island of Great Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen Saint Brendan's Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation. He also encountered a sea monster, an adventure he shared with his contemporary Saint Columba. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called Jasconius or Jascon. This too, has its parallels in other stories, not only in Irish mythology but in other traditions, from Sinbad the Sailor to Pinocchio.The Voyage of Saint Brendan
The earliest extant version of The Voyage of Saint Brendan was recorded around AD 900. There are over 100 manuscripts of the story across Europe, as well as many additional translations. The Voyage of Saint Brendan is an overtly Christian narrative, but also contains narratives of natural phenomena and fantastical events and places, which appealed to a broad populace. The 'Voyage of Saint Brendan' contains many parallels and inter-textual references to the Voyage of Bran and the Voyage of Máel Dúin.
On the Kerry coast, he built a currach-like boat of wattle, covered it with hides tanned in oak bark softened with butter, set up a mast and a sail. He and a small group of monks fasted for forty days, and after a prayer upon the shore, embarked in the name of the Trinity. The account is characterized by a great deal of literary license and contains references to hell where “great demons threw down lumps of fiery slag from an island with rivers of gold fire” and “great crystal pillars.” Many now believe these to be references to the volcanic activity around Iceland, and to icebergs.
Later life
Brendan travelled to Wales and the holy island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland; returning to Ireland, he founded a monastery at Annaghdown, where he spent the rest of his days.He also founded a convent at Annaghdown for his sister Briga. Having established the bishopric of Ardfert, St Brendan proceeded to Thomond, and founded a monastery at Inis-da-druim (now Coney Island), in the present parish of Killadysert, County Clare, about the year 550. He then journeyed to Wales and studied under Saint Gildas at Llancarfan, and thence to Iona, for he is said to have left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kil-brandon (near Oban) and Kil-brennan Sound. After a three years' mission in Britain he returned to Ireland, and did more proselytising in various parts of Leinster, especially at Dysart (County Kilkenny), Killiney (Tubberboe), and Brandon Hill. He established churches at Inchiquin, County Galway and at Inishglora, County Mayo, and founded Clonfert in Galway around 557 AD. He died c. 577 at Annaghdown, while visiting his sister Briga. Fearing that after his death his devotees might take his remains as relics, Brendan had arranged before dying to have his body secretly carried back to the monastery he founded at Clonfert concealed in a luggage cart. He was buried in Clonfert Cathedral.
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******************************
Memorable Sayings for Today
The Christian's journey through life is not a sprint,- it's a marathon.
We aren’t only called to become Christians;-we are called to be Christians.
Becoming a Christian is the work of a moment;-being a Christian is the work of a lifetime.
~ Rev Billy Graham ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Saturday, 16th May, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 18:23-28
Apollós á thaispeáint ar fhianaise na scrioptúr gurb é Íosa an Críost.
Tar éis dó tamall aimsire a thabhairt in Aintíoc, ghluais Pól chun siúil agus i ndiaidh a chéile thaistil sé dúiche Ghalaite agus Fhrigia ag treisiú leis na deisceabail go léir.Tháinig go hEifeasas Giúdach darbh ainm Apollós. Alastraíneach ba ea é ó dhúchas, é dea-labhartha agus sároilte ar na scrioptúir. Bhí oiliúnt faighte aige ar bhealach an Tiarna, agus cé go labhraíodh sé go díograiseach agus go dtugadh sé teagasc cruinn faoi Íosa, ní raibh ar eolas aige ach baisteadh Eoin. Thosaigh sé ag labhairt go dána sa tsionagóg agus nuair a chuala Priscille agus Acula é, thug siad leo abhaile é agus thug léiriú ní ba chruinne dó ar bhealach an Tiarna.
Agus ó tharla go raibh fonn air dul go hAcháia thug na bráithre spreagadh dó agus scríobh siad chun na ndeisceabal thall á iarraidh orthu fáilte a chur roimhe. Agus ar theacht go Corant dó, trí ghrásta Dé ba mhór an chabhair do na creidmhigh é, mar gur sháraigh sé na Giúdaigh go rábach in argóint phoiblí, á thaispeáint ar fhianaise na scrioptúr gurb é Íosa an Críost.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le freagra Sm 46: 46:2-3,8-10. Rv 8
Freagra Is é Dia rí na cruinne go léir.
Malairt le freagra Alleluia!
1. Buailigí bhur mbosa, a chiníocha uile; glaoigí ar Dhia le gártha gairdis!
Óir is ard é an Tiarna agus is uamhnach, ina ardrí os cionn na cruinne. Freagra
2. Is é Dia rí na cruinne go léir; seinnigí agus canaigí go hoilte dó!
Tá Dia ina rí ar na náisiúin; tá sé ina shuí ar a ríchathaoir naofa. Freagra
3. Cruinníonn taoisigh na gciníocha i gceann a chéile; i bhfochair phobal Dhia Abrahám.
Óir is le Dia lucht rialaithe na cruinne; is aige atá an chumhacht go hiomlán. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 16:23-28 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tá cion ag an Athair féin oraibh, de bhrí go raibh cion agaibh orm, agus gur chreid sibh.
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
'Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, má iarrann sibh ní ar bith ar an Athair tabharfaidh sé daoibh é i m’ainm-sé.
Go dtí seo níor iarr sibh ní ar bith i m’ainm.
Iarraigí agus gheobhaidh sibh, chun go mbeadh bhur n-áthas iomlán. Labhair mé an méid sin libh i solaoidí.Tá an t-am ag teacht, nuair nach labhróidh mé libh a thuilleadh i solaoidí, ach inseoidh mé daoibh go soiléir mar gheall ar an Athair.
Iarrfaidh sibh i m’ainm an lá sin, agus nílim á rá libh
go ndéanfaidh mé achainí ar an Athair ar bhur son.
Óir tá cion ag an Athair féin oraibh, de bhrí go raibh cion agaibh orm,agus gur chreid sibh gur ó Dhia a ghabh mé amach.
Ghabh mé amach ón Athair, agus tháinig mé ar an saol.
Táim ag fágáil an tsaoil arís, agus táim ag triall ar an Athair.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 17th May, 2026
The Ascension of the Lord-Year A
Where Jesus has gone we re called to follow in hope.
World Communications Day
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
He was lifted up while they looked on.
In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised.'It is', he had said 'what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.'
Now having met together, they asked him, 'Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?'
He replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth'.
As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said,
'Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.'
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 46: 2-3, 6-7 -8-9 R/v 2
Response God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or Alleluia!
1. All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear, great king over all the earth. Response
2. God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God, sing praise, sing praise to our king, sing praise. Response
3. God is king of all the earth. Sing praise with all your skill.
God is king over the nations; God reigns on his holy throne. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 1:17-23
He made him sit at his right hand in heaven
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come.He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Mt 28: 19
Alleluia, alleluia!
Go, make disciples of all the nations; I am with you always;
yes, to the end of time.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 28:16-20 . Glory to you, O Lord
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said,
'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.
'And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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, 1967 and 1968 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, 17th May, 2026
Deascabháil Ár dTiarna
CÉAD LÉACHT
Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal 1:1-11
Tógadh suas os comhair a súl é.
Thug mé cuntas cheana, a Theofail, ar gach a ndearna Íosa agus ar ar thug sé de theagasc uaidh ó thús go dtí an lá a tógadh suas ar neamh é, tar éis dó a chuid orduithe a thabhairt le cabhair an Spioraid Naoimh do na haspail a bhí tofa aige. i ndiaidh a pháise is iomaí cruthú a thug sé dóibh go raibh sé beo, á nochtadh féin dóibh ar feadh daichead lá agus ag cur síos ar ríocht Dé. Uair dá raibh sé ina gcuibhreann d’ordaigh sé dóibh gan corraí ó Iarúsailéim ach fanacht ann go dtí go gcomhlíonfaí gealltanas an Athar,“An gealltanas úd,” ar sé, “ar chuala sibh mé ag trácht air: rinne Eoin baisteadh le huisce, ach déanfar sibhse a bhaisteadh leis an Spiorad Naomh i gceann beagán laethanta.”
Más ea, nuair a bhí siad cruinnithe le chéile, thosaigh siad á cheistiú: “A Thiarna,” ar siad, “an anois atá tú chun ríocht Iosrael a athbhunú?”
Ach d’fhreagair sé iad:
“Ní aon chuid de bhur ngnósa é eolas a fháil ar na hamanna na ar na tráthanna atá leagtha amach ag an Athair as a údarás féin. Ach gheobhaidh sibh neart an Spioraid Naoimh atá le tuirlingt oraibh agus beidh sibh in bhur bhfinnéithe ormsa in Iarúsailéim agus ar fud Iúdáia go léir agus na Samáire agus a fhad le himeall an domhain.”
Ar rá an méid sin dó, tógadh suas os comhair a súl é agus d’ardaigh scamall as a radharc é. Fad a bhí siad ag stánadh in airde sa spéir ina dhiaidh sheas beirt fhear in éadaí bána ina n-aice. “A fheara na Gailíle,” ar siad, “cad ab áil libh in bhur seasamh ansin ag amharc in airde sa spéir? An Íosa seo a tógadh suas ar neamh uaibh, tiocfaidh sé an tslí chéanna ina bhfaca sibh ag dul suas é.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 46: 2-3, 6-7 -8-9 R/v 2
Freagra Gabhann Dia in airde le gártha molta;
gabhann sé in airde le séideadh an stoic.
Malairt Freagra Alleluia!
I. Buailigí bhur mbosa, a chiníocha uile, gairdigí do Dhia Ie teann lúcháire!
Óir is ard é an Tiarna agus is uamhnach, ina ardrí os cionn na cruinne. Freagra
2. Gabhann Dia in áirde le gártha molta; gabhann sé in airde le séideadh an stoic.
Seinntear ceol dár nDia; seinntear ceol dó Seinntear ceol dár rí; seinntear ceol dó Freagra
3. Is é Dia rí na cruinne go léir. Seinnigí agus canaigí ar bhur ndíheall dó
Tá Dia ina rí ar na náisiúin; tá sé ina shuí ar a chathaoir naofa. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na hEifísigh 1:17-23
Chui sé ina shuí ar a dheis fin sna flaithis é.
A bhráithre, bím á iarraidh ar Dhia ár dTiarna Íosa Críost, ar Athair na Glóire, spiorad na heagna agus na géarchúise a thabhairt daoibh chun go gcuirfeadh sibh aithne air. Go soilsítear súile bhur n-aigne ar shlí go dtuigfidh sibh cad é mar údar dóchais daoibh bhur ngairm aige agus cad é mar oidhreacht fhairsing ghlórmhar atá aige i ndán don phobal naofa agus ollmhaitheas na cumhachta a chuir sé i bhfeidhm ar ár son-na, creidmhigh – an chumhacht éachtach úd a chuir sé ag obair i gCríost nuair a thóg sé ó mhairbh é agus chuir ina shuí ar a dheis sna flaithis é go hard os cionn gach ceannas agus údarás agus cumhacht agus tiarnas agus os cionn gach ainm dar féidir a ainmniú ní sa saol seo amháin é ach sa saol atá le teacht chomh maith. Agus chuir sé gach ní faoina smacht agus cheap é, os cionn gach ní, ina cheann ar an Eaglais is corp dó agus arb í iomláine an té úd a líonann gach ní go hiomlán í.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mt 28: 19-20
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Imigí, deanaigí deisceabail de na nárisiúin uile,' a deir an Tiarna;
'Táim in éineacht libh i gcónai go dtí deireadh an tsaoil.'
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 28:16-20 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Tá gach údardas tugtha domsa ar neamh agus ar talamh.
San am sin d’imigh an t-aon deisceabal déag leo go dti an Ghailil, go dti an sliabh a cheap Íosa mar ionad coinne dóibh, agus ar a fheiceãil dóibh d’umhlaiodar dó, ach go raibh amhras ar chuid acu.
Tháinig Íosa chucu agus labhair sé leo:
‘Ta gach údarãs tugtha domsa ar neamh agus ar talamh.
Imigí dá bhri sin. déanaigí deisceabail de na náisiúin uile, a mbaisteadh in ainm an Athar agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh, ag múineadh dóibh gach ní atá ordaithe agam a choinneáil.
Agus féach tâim in éineacht libh i gcónai go dtí deireadh an tsaoil.’
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost.
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
