Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Aug 23 - St Rose of Lima, recluse and mystic
Summary: St Rose of Lima, consecrated to God, recluse, and mystic.
Born at Lima (Peru) in 1586; died there on 24 August 1617. Noted for her radiant love of God and for the severe penance and hardships she endured during serious illness and modelled herself on Saint Catherine of Siena. She was the first saint of the Americas to be canonised (1671).
St Rose of Lima, Peru
Rose lived an extraordinary life of holiness and self-denial. A recluse and mystic, she chose not to marry, and joined the Dominican Third Order. She is the first canonised saint of the Americas. This South American Saint's real name was Isabel, but she was such a beautiful child that she was commonly called by the name 'Rose'
Patrick Duffy tells her story.
A beautiful child
She was born in Lima, Peru and named Isabel De Flores Y Del Oliva on 20 April, 1586. Her father was a Spaniard, and her mother of native Peruvian blood. Isabel was a sickly baby but soon grew healthy and beautiful. Her family was poor, and hoped that Isabel, growing into an extremely attractive young woman, would marry well and assist the family. From childhood Isabel was nicknamed Rose for her looks and rosy cheeks, she was more taken up with the religious world than the secular.
Like St Catherine of Siena
Rose took a vow of chastity and modelled herself on Dominican St Catherine, devoting herself to a life of self-denial. Despite the ridicule of friends and family, she continued to practice extreme forms of religious observance. She fasted and became a vegetarian, mortifying her flesh with hard work and going so far as to rub lye or lime into her hands, pepper on her face and skewer her head with a long pin instead of the roses her mother put there. She wanted to turn attention away from her own beauty and focus it on God.
Third Order of St Dominic
She flogged herself, wore a hair shirt and slept little. It took her many years of prayer, fasting, hard work and secret penances before her family reluctantly agreed to let her become a member of the Third Order of St Dominic, taking vows of poverty, at twenty. She moved out of her family home into a small grotto built on their property, where she continued to devote herself to the care of the poor and infirm. She helped her family with her fine workmanship and was known for her lace-making.
A figure of Contradiction
Rose gladly offered up her suffering, atoning for the idolatry of her country, for the conversion of sinners, and for the souls in purgatory. Some people were enthusiastic in their praise of her, while others scorned her life.
A Huge Funeral
Following her death at thirty-one, her funeral could not take place for days because the people of Lima thronged to see her body. She was buried in the cemetery of the Dominican convent. Later, as a number of miracles were attributed to her, her remains were moved to the church of San Domingo, where she was laid to rest in a special chapel.
A Big Feastday in Peru
Rose of Lima was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667 and canonised in 1671 by Clement X, the first canonised saint of the Western hemisphere. Great celebrations attend her feast day in the city of Lima.
~ George Eliot ~
Born at Lima (Peru) in 1586; died there on 24 August 1617. Noted for her radiant love of God and for the severe penance and hardships she endured during serious illness and modelled herself on Saint Catherine of Siena. She was the first saint of the Americas to be canonised (1671).
St Rose of Lima, Peru
Rose lived an extraordinary life of holiness and self-denial. A recluse and mystic, she chose not to marry, and joined the Dominican Third Order. She is the first canonised saint of the Americas. This South American Saint's real name was Isabel, but she was such a beautiful child that she was commonly called by the name 'Rose' Patrick Duffy tells her story.
A beautiful child
She was born in Lima, Peru and named Isabel De Flores Y Del Oliva on 20 April, 1586. Her father was a Spaniard, and her mother of native Peruvian blood. Isabel was a sickly baby but soon grew healthy and beautiful. Her family was poor, and hoped that Isabel, growing into an extremely attractive young woman, would marry well and assist the family. From childhood Isabel was nicknamed Rose for her looks and rosy cheeks, she was more taken up with the religious world than the secular.
Like St Catherine of Siena
Rose took a vow of chastity and modelled herself on Dominican St Catherine, devoting herself to a life of self-denial. Despite the ridicule of friends and family, she continued to practice extreme forms of religious observance. She fasted and became a vegetarian, mortifying her flesh with hard work and going so far as to rub lye or lime into her hands, pepper on her face and skewer her head with a long pin instead of the roses her mother put there. She wanted to turn attention away from her own beauty and focus it on God.
Third Order of St Dominic
She flogged herself, wore a hair shirt and slept little. It took her many years of prayer, fasting, hard work and secret penances before her family reluctantly agreed to let her become a member of the Third Order of St Dominic, taking vows of poverty, at twenty. She moved out of her family home into a small grotto built on their property, where she continued to devote herself to the care of the poor and infirm. She helped her family with her fine workmanship and was known for her lace-making.A figure of Contradiction
Rose gladly offered up her suffering, atoning for the idolatry of her country, for the conversion of sinners, and for the souls in purgatory. Some people were enthusiastic in their praise of her, while others scorned her life.
A Huge Funeral
Following her death at thirty-one, her funeral could not take place for days because the people of Lima thronged to see her body. She was buried in the cemetery of the Dominican convent. Later, as a number of miracles were attributed to her, her remains were moved to the church of San Domingo, where she was laid to rest in a special chapel.A Big Feastday in Peru
Rose of Lima was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667 and canonised in 1671 by Clement X, the first canonised saint of the Western hemisphere. Great celebrations attend her feast day in the city of Lima.
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Memorable Proverb for Today
It is never too late to be what you might have been.
~ George Eliot ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 23rd August, 2026
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Because of Peter’s faith the promise is given to him. It is through faith that the Church at all times can have trust in the promise of God’s protecting power. So encouraged, we can meet the difficulties and human weaknesses that are part of the Church’s life. We all need to search for deeper faith through study of the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church, and by attentive prayer.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 22:19-23
I place the key of the House of David upon his shoulder.
Thus says the Lord of hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:
I dismiss you from your office, I remove you from your post,
and the same day I call on my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
I invest him with your robe, gird him with your sash,
entrust him with your authority; and he shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the House of Judah.
I place the key of the House of David on his shoulder;
should he open, no one shall close, should he close, no one shall open.
I drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a throne of glory for his father's house.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 137: 1-3. 6. 8. R/ v8
Response Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
1. I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth.
Before the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple. Response
2. I thank you for your faithfulness and love which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul. Response
3. The Lord is high though he looks on the lowly and the haughty he knows from afar
Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 11:33-36
All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him.
How rich are the depths of God - how deep his wisdom and knowledge - and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods!Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 2 Cor 5:19
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia!
Or Mt 16:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 16:13-20
You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples,'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
And they said, 'Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets'.
'But you,' he said 'who do you say I am?'
Then Simon Peter spoke up, 'You are the Christ,' he said 'the Son of the living God'.
Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.'
Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
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.
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 23rd August, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia 22:19-23
Leagaim eochair theach Dháiví ar a ghualainn.
Seo mar a deir Tiarna na Slua le Seabna, máistir an phálais:
Brisfidh mé as do phost thú, as d’ionad stróicim thú anuas;
agus an lá céanna glaoim ar mo sheirbhíseach, Eiliácaím mac Hilciá.
Tá mé chun a ghléasadh i d’ionarsa, chun é a fheistiú le do shursaing, agus tugaim do chumhacht isteach ina láimh,
agus beidh sé ina athair ag muintir Iarúsailéim, agus ag teaghlach Iúdá.
Tá mé ag leagan eochair theach Dháiví ar a ghualainn;
má osclaíonn sé, ní dhúnfar; má dhúnann, ní osclófar.
Cuirim i bhfostú é mar bheadh tairne in áit dhaingean: déanfar cathaoir onóra de i gcomhair theaghlach a athar.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 137: 1-3. 6. 8. R/ v8
Freagra A Thiarna, maireann do mhaitheas go síoraí;
na tréig obair do lámh.
1. Gabhaim buíochas leat, a Thiarna, ó mo chroí go hiomlán mar gur éist tú le briathra mo bhéil.
I bhfianaisé na n-aingeal móraim thú; sléachtáim i dtreo do theampaill naofa. Freagra
2. Gabhaim buíochas leat as ucht do mhaitheasa is do dhílsé, mar gur mó fós do gheallúint ná do chlú.
Nuair a ghlaoigh mé ort d'éist tú liom, agus thúg tú neart breisé do m'anam. Freagra
3. Dá airde é an Tiarna, is cúram dó an t-íséal; ach breathnaíonn sé an t-uaibhreach i bhfad uaidh.
A Thiarna, maireann do mhaitheas go síoraí; na tréig obairdo lámh. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 11:33-36
Is uaidh agus tríd agus dó gach uile ní dá bhfuil ann.
Cad é doimhneas ollmhaitheasaí agus eagna agus eolas Dé!Nach do-thuigthe atá a bhreithiúnais agus nach dorianta atá a bhealaí!
“Cé a thuig aigne an Tiarna? Nó cé a bhí riamh ina chomhairleoir aige?”
Nó “Cé a thug rud riamh dó go bhfaighidh sé a chúiteamh?”
Mar is uaidhsean agus trídsean agus dósan gach uile ní dá bhfuil ann.
Glóir go deo leis. Amen.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 16: 18
Alleluia, alleluia!
Deirimse leatsa gurtú Peadar agus is ar an gcarraig seo a thógfaidh mé m’eaglais,
agus ní bhuafaidh geataí ifrinn uirthi.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 16:13-20
Is tü Peadar, agus bhéarfaidh mé duit eochracha ríocht na bhflaitheas.
San am sin ar theacht isteach i gceantar Chéasaráia Philib dó, d’fhiafraigh Íosa dá chuid deisceabal: 'Cé hé a deir na daoine Mac an Duine?”Dúirt siad: “Deir cuid acu Eoin Baiste; cuid eile acu Éilias; tuilleadh acu Irimia nó duine de na fáithe.”
Dúirt sé leo: “Ach cé a deir sibhse mé?”
Dúirt Síomón Peadar á fhreagairt: “Is tú an Críost, Mac Dé bheo.”
D’fhreagair Íosa agus dúirt sé leis:
“Is méanar duit, a Shíomóin Bar Ióna, óir ní fuil agus feoil a d’fhoilsigh duit é ach m’Athair atá ar neamh. Agus deirimse leatsa gur tú Peadar agus is ar an gcarraig seo a thógfaidh mé m’eaglais, agus ní bhuafaidh geataí ifrinn uirthi. Agus tabharfaidh mé duit eochracha ríocht na bhflaitheas; rud ar bith a cheanglaíonn tú ar talamh beidh sé ceangailte ar neamh, agus rud ar bith a scaoileann tú ar talamh beidh sé scaoilte ar neamh.”
Chuir sé mar acht ar na deisceabail ansin gan a rá le duine ar bith gurbh é féin an Críost.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 30th August, 2026
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Because of Peter’s faith the promise is given to him. It is through faith that the Church at all times can have trust in the promise of God’s protecting power. So encouraged, we can meet the difficulties and human weaknesses that are part of the Church’s life. We all need to search for deeper faith through study of the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church, and by attentive prayer.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah 22:19-23
I place the key of the House of David upon his shoulder.
Thus says the Lord of hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:
I dismiss you from your office, I remove you from your post,
and the same day I call on my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
I invest him with your robe, gird him with your sash,
entrust him with your authority; and he shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the House of Judah.
I place the key of the House of David on his shoulder;
should he open, no one shall close, should he close, no one shall open.
I drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a throne of glory for his father's house.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 137: 1-3. 6. 8. R/ v8
Response Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
1. I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth.
Before the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple. Response
2. I thank you for your faithfulness and love which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul. Response
3. The Lord is high though he looks on the lowly and the haughty he knows from afar
Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 11:33-36
All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him.
How rich are the depths of God - how deep his wisdom and knowledge - and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods!Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation 2 Cor 5:19
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia!
Or Mt 16:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 16:13-20
You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples,'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
And they said, 'Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets'.
'But you,' he said 'who do you say I am?'
Then Simon Peter spoke up, 'You are the Christ,' he said 'the Son of the living God'.
Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.'
Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
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, 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, 30th August, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Íseáia 22:19-23
Leagaim eochair theach Dháiví ar a ghualainn.
Seo mar a deir Tiarna na Slua le Seabna, máistir an phálais:
Brisfidh mé as do phost thú, as d’ionad stróicim thú anuas;
agus an lá céanna glaoim ar mo sheirbhíseach, Eiliácaím mac Hilciá.
Tá mé chun a ghléasadh i d’ionarsa, chun é a fheistiú le do shursaing, agus tugaim do chumhacht isteach ina láimh,
agus beidh sé ina athair ag muintir Iarúsailéim, agus ag teaghlach Iúdá.
Tá mé ag leagan eochair theach Dháiví ar a ghualainn;
má osclaíonn sé, ní dhúnfar; má dhúnann, ní osclófar.
Cuirim i bhfostú é mar bheadh tairne in áit dhaingean: déanfar cathaoir onóra de i gcomhair theaghlach a athar.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 137: 1-3. 6. 8. R/ v8
Freagra A Thiarna, maireann do mhaitheas go síoraí;
na tréig obair do lámh.
1. Gabhaim buíochas leat, a Thiarna, ó mo chroí go hiomlán mar gur éist tú le briathra mo bhéil.
I bhfianaisé na n-aingeal móraim thú; sléachtáim i dtreo do theampaill naofa. Freagra
2. Gabhaim buíochas leat as ucht do mhaitheasa is do dhílsé, mar gur mó fós do gheallúint ná do chlú.
Nuair a ghlaoigh mé ort d'éist tú liom, agus thúg tú neart breisé do m'anam. Freagra
3. Dá airde é an Tiarna, is cúram dó an t-íséal; ach breathnaíonn sé an t-uaibhreach i bhfad uaidh.
A Thiarna, maireann do mhaitheas go síoraí; na tréig obairdo lámh. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh 11:33-36
Is uaidh agus tríd agus dó gach uile ní dá bhfuil ann.
Cad é doimhneas ollmhaitheasaí agus eagna agus eolas Dé!Nach do-thuigthe atá a bhreithiúnais agus nach dorianta atá a bhealaí!
“Cé a thuig aigne an Tiarna? Nó cé a bhí riamh ina chomhairleoir aige?”
Nó “Cé a thug rud riamh dó go bhfaighidh sé a chúiteamh?”
Mar is uaidhsean agus trídsean agus dósan gach uile ní dá bhfuil ann.
Glóir go deo leis. Amen.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Mth 16: 18
Alleluia, alleluia!
Deirimse leatsa gurtú Peadar agus is ar an gcarraig seo a thógfaidh mé m’eaglais,
agus ní bhuafaidh geataí ifrinn uirthi.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 16:13-20
Is tü Peadar, agus bhéarfaidh mé duit eochracha ríocht na bhflaitheas.
San am sin ar theacht isteach i gceantar Chéasaráia Philib dó, d’fhiafraigh Íosa dá chuid deisceabal: 'Cé hé a deir na daoine Mac an Duine?”Dúirt siad: “Deir cuid acu Eoin Baiste; cuid eile acu Éilias; tuilleadh acu Irimia nó duine de na fáithe.”
Dúirt sé leo: “Ach cé a deir sibhse mé?”
Dúirt Síomón Peadar á fhreagairt: “Is tú an Críost, Mac Dé bheo.”
D’fhreagair Íosa agus dúirt sé leis:
“Is méanar duit, a Shíomóin Bar Ióna, óir ní fuil agus feoil a d’fhoilsigh duit é ach m’Athair atá ar neamh. Agus deirimse leatsa gur tú Peadar agus is ar an gcarraig seo a thógfaidh mé m’eaglais, agus ní bhuafaidh geataí ifrinn uirthi. Agus tabharfaidh mé duit eochracha ríocht na bhflaitheas; rud ar bith a cheanglaíonn tú ar talamh beidh sé ceangailte ar neamh, agus rud ar bith a scaoileann tú ar talamh beidh sé scaoilte ar neamh.”
Chuir sé mar acht ar na deisceabail ansin gan a rá le duine ar bith gurbh é féin an Críost.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
