An Ceathrú Seachtain den Cháisc – Déardaoin 2025

AN CHEAD LEACHT

Sliocht as Gníomhartha na nAspal

De shliocht Dháiví thóg Dia suas slánaitheoir d’Isráél, Íosa (13:13-25)

(From David’s descendants God raised up Isreal’s Saviour, Jesus.)

Nuair a sheol Pól, agus an méid a bhí ina chuideachta, ó Pafós, tháinig siad go Peirge na Paimfilia. Ach d’fhág Eoin iad, agus d’fhill sé go larúsailéim. Ach ar dhul trí Peirge dóibhsean, tháinig siad go dtí Aintíoc na Pisidia; agus ar dhul isteach sa tsionagóg dóibh ar an tsabóid, shuigh siad síos. Agus I ndiaidh léamh an dlí agus na bhfáithe, chuir uachtarán na sionagóige scéala chucu, ag rá: `A fheara, agus a bhráithre, má tá focal ar bith teagaisc agaibh don phobal, labhraígí.’Ach d’éirigh Pól, thug comhartha dóibh lena láimh a bheith ina dtost, agus dúirt: `A fheara Isráél, agus sibhse a bhfuil eagla Dé ionaibh, éistigí. Rinne Dia mhuintir Isráél ár n-aithreacha a thoghadh, agus d’ardaigh sé an pobal nuair a bhí siad ina gcónaí i dtír na hÉigipte, agus threoraigh sé amach as sin iad Ie láimh ard. Agus ar feadh daichead bliain d’fhulaing sé a mbéasa san bhfásach. Agus nuair a scrios sé seacht gcine i d􀆡r Chanáin, roinn sé a dtalamh le crannchur eatarthu go ceann tuairim agus ceithre chéad go leith de bhlianta; agus ina dhiaidh sin thug sé breithiúna dóibh go d􀆡 Samuél, fáidh. Agus ansin d’iarr siad rí, agus thug Dia dóibh Sól, mac Chis, fear de threibh Bheiniaimin, daichead bliain. Agus nuair a thóg sé eisean uathu, d’ardaigh sé Dáiví ina rí dóibh, agus rinne sé fianaise dósan, agus dúirt: “Fuair mé Dáiví, mac lése, fear de réir mo chroí féin, a dhéanfaidh mo thoil go hiomlán.” Dá shliocht seo thóg Dia suas, de réir an ghealitanais, slánaitheoir d’Isráél, íosa. Agus roimh a theacht sheanmóir Eoin ar dtús baisteadh aithrí do phobal Isráél go léir. Agus nuair a bhí Eoin ag críochnú a sheala, dúirt sé: “An té a shíleann sibh gur mé, ní mise é, ach féach, tá neach ag teacht i mo dhiaidh, nach fiú mé bróga a chos a scaoileadh”.

Briathar an Tiarna.

Buíochas le Dia

Fóclóirín; shliocht/ (descendents), tsionagóg/ (synagog), tsabóid/(sabbath), teagaisc/(teaching), labhraígí/(speak), comhartha/(asign), threoraigh/(guided), daichead/(forty), d’fhulaing/(suffered), fhásach/(desert), gcine/(nations), crannchur/(lottery), breithiúna/(judges), fáidh/(prophet), fianaise/(witnesss-evidence), ghealltanais/(commitments),sheanmóir/(sermon), baisteadh/(baptism), shíleann/(thinks), neach/(a person), scaoileadh/(released)

PSALM LE FREAGRA (Sm 88:2-3. 21-22. 25.27. Fr v. 2)

Freagra; Canfaidh mé de shíor faoi do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna.

 ( I will sing for ever of Your enduring love o Lord )

  1. Canfaidh mé de shíor faoi do bhuanghrá, a Thiarna; fógróidh mé do dhílseacht ó ghlúin go glúin. Oir daingníodh do bhuanghrá go síoraí, agus tá do dhílseacht chomh buan leis na flaithis.

Freagra;

  • Fuair mé Dáiví, mo ghiolla: rinne mé é a ungadh le m’ola naofa ionas go mbeadh mo lámh leis de shíor, is go neartódh mo chuisle é. (Fr)

             Freagra;

  • Beidh mo dhílseacht leis is mo bhuanghrá; agus i m’ainmse is ea a ardófar a neart.

Déarfaidh sé liom: `Is tú m’athair, is tú mo Dhia agus carraig mo shlánaithe.’ (Fr)

             Freagra;

Fóclóirín;  bhuanghrá/(lasting love), fógróidh/(proclaim), dhílseacht/(loyalty), daingníodh/(confirmed), flaithis/(heaven), Giolla/(servant – follower), ungadh/(anoint), chuisle/(pulse),

AN ALLELUIA

Alleluia, alleluia!

`Is mise an t-aoire maith,’ a deir an Tiarna.`Aithním mo chaoirigh féin, agus aithníonn mo chaoirigh féin mé.’ (Eoin 10:14)

Alleluia!

Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir  Naomh Eoin                                                                               

An té a ghlacann aon duine a chuirfidh mise uaim, is mise a ghlacann sé.                (13:16-20)

(The one who accepts any person whom I send, accepts me)

Tar éis d’íosa cosa na ndeisceabal a ní, dúirt sé leo: Amen, Amen, a deirim Iibh, níl aon seirbhíseach níos mó ná a mháistir,  ná níl aspal níos mó ná an té a chuir uaidh é. Má tá a fhios agaibh na nithe sin, is méanar daoibh má dhéanann sibh iad. Nílim ag labhairt oraibh go léir, óir aithním na daoine a thogh mé, ach chun go gcómh¬líonfaí an scrioptúr: “An té a d’ith arán liom, d’árdaigh sé a sháil i mo choinne.” `Táim á insint sin daoibh anois roimh ré sula dtarlaíonn sé, i dtreo, nuair a tharlaíonn sé, go gcreidfidh sibh gur mise é.

Amen, Amen, a deirim libh, an té a ghlacann aon duine a chuirfidh mise uaim, is mise a ghlacann sé; agus an té a ghlacann mise, glacann sé an té a chuir uaidh mé.’

Soiscéal an Tiarna.     

Moladh duit, a Chriost           

Fóclóirín: an t-Aoire Maith/(the Good Shepherd), na ndeisceabal/(the disciples), méanar/(fortunate), aithním/(I recognise),  a thogh/(chose), gcómh-líonfaí/(fulfil), dtarlaíonn/( happens), gcreidfidh/(believe)

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The Irish Monastic & Celtic Easter Calendar explained

Nb* much of the material contained here is distilled from the Book, Pilgrims and Prophets by Edmund Cullinan, with some artistic licence employed.

St. Patrick (385-461 A.D.) is the patron of Ireland sent by mandate from Pope Celestine I (422-432 A.D.) to convert the Irish. Yet somehow, Ireland developed a monastic model of Christianisation, with her own Celtic Easter calendar instead of the usual Roman system established in Europe… How can this be, if much of the rest of Europe under the same Catholic church used a diocesan model under the Roman Easter Calendar?

Well lets go back in time! St. Patrick, after his capture and life of slavery in Ireland, returns to the Britons in the territory where he grew up; lets call his birth place Minor Britain, distinct from Great Britain. Back home again, Patrick then feels called to come back to the Irish in a dream. So in order to respond generously, he decides to follow his vocation and become a priest with a view of going to Rome to seek permission for an apostolic mandate to Ireland. He first travels south to the Lérins Island in Province in the south of France. There he becomes a monk for fourteen years under the abbot of St. Germanus of Auxerre. It was St. Germanus who send Patrick on to Rome.

Lérins island is key to understanding Ireland’s monastic and Celtic Easter tradition. The monastery of Lérins was established by St. Honoratus (350-430). His rule was chiefly borrowed from that of St. Pachomius from Egypt (290-348 A.D.), who is the founding father of cenobitic monasticism. It is also at Lérins where we find a strong Johannine apostolic influence. The Johannine tradition spreads via the sea trading links among the Greek speaking communities along the Mediterranean coasts, in places like Marseille, Nice and Lyons. St. Irenaeus (130-202 A.D.) came from Smyrna to become bishop of Lyons. He was a disciple of St. Polycarp (69-155 A.D.) who was a disciple of St. John the Apostle. Now Lyons is about 300km from Marseille on the French coast, and the coastal town of Marseille to Lérins island is about 175km. St. Honoratus received his early formation at Marseille.

St. Honoratus is thus soaked up in monasticism and the Johannine apostolic influence, which is adopted by St. Patrick in his formation at Lérins. For the Easter Calender it means that the calculus for the Celtic Easter was determined by the Julian Calender, while the Roman church held to the Gregorian which we have today. The Celtic Easter calculated aligning more with the Jewish Passover.

It was first of all, St. Molaise of Leighlin, then St. Eunan, and finally St. Malachy whom broke from the Celtic Easter traditions and they brought the Irish Catholics into full conformity with the Roman Catholic customs, They made use of the Gregorian calendar for calculating the Easter dates, which fell on the first Vernal Moon after 21st of March as established by the Council of Nicea.

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Fr. John Sullivan the Catholic convert who cured many – 8th May

Image source from Jesuits Ireland

Material distilled from Jesuits Ireland

First of all… Fr. John Sullivan “Santo Subito!”. For if there is anyone in Ireland that meets the criteria for canonisation, it is Fr. Sullivan. All other potentials, be they Frank Duff, Fr. Peyton or Fr. Willie Doyle maybe worthy causes, but Fr. John Sullivan has attested miracles on tap! What more do we need. Lets look at his story.

John Sullivan was born into a wealthy Protestant family in 1861 at Eccles Street, Dublin 8. His mother Elizabeth was a Catholic from Cork, and his father Edward was a protestant. The norm in those times for mixed marriages was to have the boys follow their father’s religion while the girls followed their mother’s. Thus John was baptised in the Church of Ireland parish of St. George on Temple Street. The family moved to Fitzwilliam Place, where they were to remain. Edward became Lord Chancellor and the family lived very comfortably.

In 1872, John went to Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. His name is inscribed on the Royal Scholars Honours Board in Steele Hall. After Portora, he went to Trinity College, Dublin, where he was awarded the Gold Medal in the study of Classics in 1885.

At the same time, John stopped attending church after the sudden death of his father. He lived comfortably from his inheritance, and was a likeable character. He was filled with out doors activities from cycling to mountaineering. He made important friends and was considered wise in judgement even in political circles. The women saw in him an elegible bacholar.

Nobody suspected his strong interior religious inclinations. He had a great love for the story of the conversion of St. Augustine. He had a growing like for the Catholic faith, that while hidden from public, did reveal itself from time to time while away in Kerry. He took an interest in Butlers lives of the Saints. In December 1896, at the age of 35, John was recieved into the Catholic Church in Farm Street, London. On learning this, his family were shell shocked, as they had no idea of his spiritual inclinations. For all intensive puroposes, John was a good ole boy, and a model protestant. Among the protestant community, there were mixed views, from anger to acceptance.

John’s life was to change as he became more active in his faith, doing good works and becoming more penetential. He volunteered some time to hospital and hospice visits, and helping the religious sisters at the convents. He was not shy of doing domestic work. John worked hard, even into the night.

In 1900 John entered the Jesuit novitiate in Tullabeg, Co. Offaly. His novitiate, lasted two years when he then took his first vows before going to St. Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst College, England for further studies. He took his mothers crucifix as his vow crucifix, and this was be used as part of his healing ministry. In 1904 John Sullivan returned to Ireland, and went to Milltown Park for further studies. By 1907 Joh was ordained a priest. Shortly afterwards, he paid a visit to the Royal Hospital for Incurables, at Donnybrook. John gave many patients his blessing. He was visited a female patient, suffering from lupus in the head. She was already selected to be placed in a mental hospital. He prayed with the female patient for a good while. The next day her mind was completely restored of her mental health.

John was soon afterwards appointed to the staff in Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare, and it was here he was to spend the bulk of the rest of his life. The school marked a new chapter in his life.

He was not knowing for his teaching ability, but rather for his clever sensitivity when students were not engaging in educational activity. He was considered a good sport, by students who recognised their narrow escapes from trouble. He would remind them on moments where they had a close brush up with a stern teacher, that they should use their wit to do something useful and good, instead of engaging in useless mischief. Such timely advice gave the students a sense of shame, with a chance to remedy themselves. Fr. Sullivan was an ascetic priest, He would sleep on the floor, deny himself a full sleep, ate simple food, put stones in his boots, he prayed often.

He often attended the sick around Clongowes college, by foot or bicycle. He would visit hospitals, and send letters of consolation. He often heard confessions by the church near Clongowes. People came a great distant to confess their sins. People trusted in the power of his intercessory prayers, and many cure have been attributed to him.

An extraordinary case is recorded whereby a religious sister who suffered a serious accident resulting the need for amputation. A letter was sent to Fr. Sullivan, explaining her grave condition, and about a fever and delirium which had taken hold. The post the next morning at Clongowes, and Fr. John cycled twenty miles to the hospital that afternoon. He sought for the patient’s room and gave him­self to prayer by her bedside. After a some lenght, the nun’s restless tossing quietened, and the delirium ceased.

Fr Sullivan’s was gifted with prescience. One example, was of a daughter of a local family situated near Clongowes. Her father was at an advanced aged and had been sick for some time, but nothing that seemed life threatening. Fr Sullivan called over to the family unexpectedly surprising them when he asked to see the ailing father privately in his room, pre­sumably for confession. The family would hear Fr. Sullivan parting words saying, ‘My good man, you will be with God tonight.’ The father died peacefully very soon after.

Fr Sullivan was rector of Rathfarnham Castle from 1919. It was a place of eupllementary studies for Jesuits attending college. This era of Fr. John’s life was politically fraught, as Ireland wrestled its freedom from British Rule. Rathfarnham castle would through no fault of his own, be raided by the Black & Tans. It was while at Rathfarnham, Fr. John could meet his siblings regularly.

As the new independent Ireland emerged, Fr. John returned to Clongowes as a member of the teaching staff with the task of forming new leaders for the country. Kevin O’Higgins was one such student who later as a political leader, he was assassinated in 1927, sending shock waves around the country.

In 1928, a nephew of the assassinated general Michael Collins, by the same name, required the prayers of Fr. Sullivan. The infant Michael, suffered  infant­ile paralysis, with his leg bent as he suffered intense pain. Young Michael’s mother, Mrs Collins,  received a postcard from Fr Sullivan stating that he visited her child Michael who was by now going home and well. The nun at the hospital had taken the infant out of bed, and to her astonishment he kicked his leg while bathing him, as he appeared now quite normal. His trouble never recurred.

Another well attested ‘cures’ happned over the Christmas of 1932, just before Fr. Sullivan died. A young married woman suffered from vomiting. She could not re­tain  food and became emaciated. Her condition beame grave, and she received anointing of the sick prior to Christmas. By the 22nd December, she was losing consciousness when Fr. Sullivan was brought in to pray for her. The young woman seemed reluctant for any spiritual consolation. After Fr. Sullivan’s prayers, she regained some strength. On Christmas Eve, she managed to eat and retain her food. By Christmas day she was eating turkey and ham. Her doctor could not believe it, as she completely recovered.

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Blessed Edmund Rice Bakery & Tailor Enterprise – 5th May

Image Source taken from Education Magazine

Material distilled from Edmund Rice Schools

Edmund was born on June 1st 1762 into a wealthy family and was raised in Callan, Kilkenny. As a Catholic, he attended a commercial academy in Kilkenny after attending secret hedge schooling. It was the practice to have wealthy Catholics to receive such schooling in the penal times. Afterwards, in 1779 Edmund began his apprenticeship as a merchant under his uncle, Michael Rice in Waterford city. They would supply goods bound for the New World in north America. In his late twenties, his entrepreneurial skills brought him financial success. The scene seemed set for a comfortable life, as he settled down to start a family.

In 1785 Edmund married Mary Elliot. But after just three years of marriage, Mary died after giving birth to her disabled daughter, also called Mary. Edmund’s world was turned upside down, and his life was to take a radical direction after much personal reflection. From this crisis, Edmund discovered a special vocation; to provide dignity to the poor through education. It was the start of the seed for the foundation of the Christian brothers.

Realising the effects that poverty and deprivation had on the young people of Waterford, Edmuns sold off his business interests and started a school for poor boys in a converted stable. It happened in 1802, and Edmund was joined by Thomas Grosvener and Patrick Finn, as the three began to live a form of community life in rooms over the Stable School in New Street.

Edmund desired a fully-fledged Religious Congregation, the Christian Brothers to be. It would be governed by traditional vows and recognised by the Holy See in Rome. In June 1802 he funded and began building a monastery in a working-class district in Waterford City. The building, was large and comprised living accommodation and a school. The school at Mount Sion was to accommodate a high student to teacher rate proportion. One Christian Brother taught a class of almost one hundred students while older boy acted as ‘monitors’, examining the homework and helping with catechism. The school boys were taught reading, writing, arithmetic and religion. The more senior pupils studied bookkeeping, geography and navigation. All the students received special preparation for first Holy Communion and Confirmation.

At Mount Sion Edmund built a school bakery and tailor’s shop. His poor students were hungry, so the bake house provided them with a meal giving them the energy to do their school work. The students suffered from the cold, due to scanty clothing. Tailors were employed to make uniforms for the boys.

All of Edmund’s educational activities were illegal in the eyes of the ‘authorities’ in Ireland at the time. But Edmund’s concern was for the poor, and he identified education as the key to survival. Most Irish Catholics were effectively cut off from education and consequently cut off from social and political progress. By founding schools and teaching congregations, Edmund Rice became a social liberator for the poor Catholics.

In the words of eyewitnesses Edmund’s devotion to the Blessed Sacrament was intense. He received Holy Communion very frequently. When he founded his congregation he encouraged the Brothers to assist at Mass daily. It was at prayer before the Blessed Sacrament that Edmund got the courage and confidence in God to face all difficulties.

1838 Edmund Rice retired as Superior General of his now established Christian Brother Order. He was 76 years of age and suffering from painful arthritis. Edmund spent the last two years confined to his room. In his lucid moments he loved to read the Bible and prayer remained central to his life. Edmund died on Thursday, 29th August 1844. He was buried at Mount Sion in the heart of Waterford city.

The church venerates Blessed Edmund Rice on the 5th of May

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