Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Aug 19 - St John Eudes (1601-70) priest
Summary: St John Eudes, priest.
Born in Normandy (France) in 1601; died at Caen on this day in 1680. He was an Oratorian, active in preaching missions and in caring for the sick. He founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) and helped to begin a community of women religious (the Sisters of the Good Shepherd) to care for wayward women. He was noted also for his promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Patrick Duffy outlines his achievements.
St John Eudes preached vigorously against Jansenism in France and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary for the reform of the clergy. He also promoted devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Joins the Oratorians of France
John Eudes was born at Ri, Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601, the son of a farmer. He went to the Jesuit college at Caen when he was 14, and despite his parents' wish that he marry, joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France founded by Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle (1575-1629) in 1623. He studied at Paris and at Aubervilliers, was ordained in 1625, and worked as a volunteer, caring for the victims of the plagues that struck Normandy in 1625 and 1631. He spent the next ten years giving missions, and had a reputation as an outstanding preacher and confessor and for his opposition to Jansenism. He was named superior of the Oratorians at Caen.
Starts a Refuge for Fallen Women
John Eudes became interested in the plight of fallen women, and in 1644 founded a refuge for them in Caen. At first it was called the Work of our Lady of Charity (or of Refuge). This order had many difficulties in getting approval, but after many ups and downs it was re-founded at Angers, France in 1835 by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier and became known as the Good Shepherd Sisters. The contemporary focus of their work is towards the human, social and spiritual development of women and girls. It aims to empower them, to enhance their dignity, support self-sufficiency, and build esteem in women and girls who have been excluded from the benefits of society. Today they number almost 4,000, and are present in 70 countries on five continents.
He founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (the Eudists)
John Eudes resigned from the Oratorians in 1643 and founded his own society, the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (CJM - the Eudists) at Caen, composed of secular priests not bound by vows, dedicated to the spiritual and doctrinal formation of priests and candidates to the priesthood, while pursuing the work of parish missions. The Oratorians and the Jansenists opposed his congregation, and he was unable to obtain papal approval for it. However, in 1650 the Bishop of Coutances invited him to start a seminary in his diocese. John founded seminaries at Lisieux in 1653 and Rouen in 1659, although he was unsuccessful in a second attempt to secure papal approval for his congregation. However, he continued giving missions and established new seminaries at Evreux in 1666 and Rennes in 1670.
Devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
John Eudes shared with St. Mary Margaret Alacoque the honour of initiating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Heart of Mary. He composed the Mass for the Sacred Heart in 1668. He wrote works to popularise these devotions - The Devotion to the Adorable Heart of Jesus (1670) and The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God, which he finished a month before his death at Caen on August 19th.
The French Revolution
On the eve of the French Revolution (1789), Eudists directed some fifteen seminaries as well as a few colleges and parishes. The Revolution closed the houses and scattered the members. Four of them, including François-Louis Hébert, coadjutor to the Superior General, were martyred in Paris and beatified in 1926.
Restoration 1826
Slowly and with great difficulty, the Congregation was restored in 1826 by one of its former members, Father Pierre Blanchard. The Eudists then concentrated their efforts on the urgent task of providing Christian education in colleges. From 1883 on, the opening of several seminaries in Colombia made it possible for them to resume the traditional work of their society. In 1890, they settled in Canada.
Four Provinces Today
Today the Congregation of Jesus and Mary is organised in four provinces around the world, namely: the French Province (France, Ivory Coast, Bénin), the Colombian Province (Colombia, Ecuador), the North American Province (Canada, United States) and the Venezuelan Province.
___________________
Born in Normandy (France) in 1601; died at Caen on this day in 1680. He was an Oratorian, active in preaching missions and in caring for the sick. He founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) and helped to begin a community of women religious (the Sisters of the Good Shepherd) to care for wayward women. He was noted also for his promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Patrick Duffy outlines his achievements.
St John Eudes preached vigorously against Jansenism in France and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary for the reform of the clergy. He also promoted devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Joins the Oratorians of France
John Eudes was born at Ri, Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601, the son of a farmer. He went to the Jesuit college at Caen when he was 14, and despite his parents' wish that he marry, joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France founded by Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle (1575-1629) in 1623. He studied at Paris and at Aubervilliers, was ordained in 1625, and worked as a volunteer, caring for the victims of the plagues that struck Normandy in 1625 and 1631. He spent the next ten years giving missions, and had a reputation as an outstanding preacher and confessor and for his opposition to Jansenism. He was named superior of the Oratorians at Caen.
Starts a Refuge for Fallen Women
John Eudes became interested in the plight of fallen women, and in 1644 founded a refuge for them in Caen. At first it was called the Work of our Lady of Charity (or of Refuge). This order had many difficulties in getting approval, but after many ups and downs it was re-founded at Angers, France in 1835 by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier and became known as the Good Shepherd Sisters. The contemporary focus of their work is towards the human, social and spiritual development of women and girls. It aims to empower them, to enhance their dignity, support self-sufficiency, and build esteem in women and girls who have been excluded from the benefits of society. Today they number almost 4,000, and are present in 70 countries on five continents.
He founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (the Eudists)
John Eudes resigned from the Oratorians in 1643 and founded his own society, the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (CJM - the Eudists) at Caen, composed of secular priests not bound by vows, dedicated to the spiritual and doctrinal formation of priests and candidates to the priesthood, while pursuing the work of parish missions. The Oratorians and the Jansenists opposed his congregation, and he was unable to obtain papal approval for it. However, in 1650 the Bishop of Coutances invited him to start a seminary in his diocese. John founded seminaries at Lisieux in 1653 and Rouen in 1659, although he was unsuccessful in a second attempt to secure papal approval for his congregation. However, he continued giving missions and established new seminaries at Evreux in 1666 and Rennes in 1670.
Devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
John Eudes shared with St. Mary Margaret Alacoque the honour of initiating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Heart of Mary. He composed the Mass for the Sacred Heart in 1668. He wrote works to popularise these devotions - The Devotion to the Adorable Heart of Jesus (1670) and The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God, which he finished a month before his death at Caen on August 19th.
The French Revolution
On the eve of the French Revolution (1789), Eudists directed some fifteen seminaries as well as a few colleges and parishes. The Revolution closed the houses and scattered the members. Four of them, including François-Louis Hébert, coadjutor to the Superior General, were martyred in Paris and beatified in 1926.
Restoration 1826
Slowly and with great difficulty, the Congregation was restored in 1826 by one of its former members, Father Pierre Blanchard. The Eudists then concentrated their efforts on the urgent task of providing Christian education in colleges. From 1883 on, the opening of several seminaries in Colombia made it possible for them to resume the traditional work of their society. In 1890, they settled in Canada.
Four Provinces Today
Today the Congregation of Jesus and Mary is organised in four provinces around the world, namely: the French Province (France, Ivory Coast, Bénin), the Colombian Province (Colombia, Ecuador), the North American Province (Canada, United States) and the Venezuelan Province.
___________________
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Memorable Proverb for Today
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively
and to think critically.
Intelligence plus character
— that is the goal of true education."
~ Martin Luther King Jr. ~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 19th August, 2026
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2
Saint of the Day: Aug 13 – St John Eudes, priest, religious founder,
C/f A short look at this saint’s life can be found below today's Readings and Reflection.
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel 34:1-11
I am going to take my flock back from them and I shall not allow them to feed my flock.
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows,
'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them,
"Shepherds, the Lord says this:
Trouble for the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shepherds ought to feed their flock, yet you have fed on milk, you have dressed yourselves in wool, you have sacrificed the fattest sheep, but failed to feed the flock.
You have failed to make weak sheep strong, or to care for the sick ones, or bandage the wounded ones. You have failed to bring back strays or look for the lost.
On the contrary, you have ruled them cruelly and violently. For lack of a shepherd they have scattered, to become the prey of any wild animal; they have scattered far. My flock is straying this way and that, on mountains and on high hills; my flock has been scattered all over the country; no one bothers about them and no one looks for them.
Well then, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. As I live, I swear it - it is the Lord who speaks - since my flock has been looted and for lack of a shepherd is now the prey of any wild animal, since my shepherds have stopped bothering about my flock, since my shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock, in view of all this, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord.
The Lord says this:
I am going to call the shepherds to account. I am going to take my flock back from them and I shall not allow them to feed my flock. In this way the shepherds will stop feeding themselves. I shall rescue my sheep from their mouths; they will not prey on them any more.
For the Lord says this: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Response The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. Response
2. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. Response
3. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Response
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 118: 135
Alleluia, alleluia!
Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your decrees.
Alleluia!
or Heb 4: 12
Alleluia, alleluia!
The word of God is something alive and active:
it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts.
Alleluia !
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 20:1-16 Glory to you, O Lord
Why be envious because I am generous?
Jesus said to his disciples: 'Now the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day, and sent them to his vineyard.
Going out at about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place and said to them, "You go to my vineyard too and I will give you a fair wage". So they went.
At about the sixth hour and again at about the ninth hour, he went out and did the same.
Then at about the eleventh hour he went out and found more men standing round, and he said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle all day?" "
Because no one has hired us" they answered.
He said to them, "You go into my vineyard too".
In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his bailiff,
"Call the workers and pay them their wages,starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first".
So those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each. When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius each. They took it, but grumbled at the landowner.
"The men who came last" they said "have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day's work in all the heat."
He answered one of them and said,
"My friend, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius?
Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you.
Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?"
Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Gospel Reflection Wednesday, Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 20:1-16
Most of us react instinctively against any form of behaviour that we consider to be unfair or unjust. If we think we are being treated unjustly, we can feel especially irate. It is probably that instinct in us that leaves us feeling a bit uneasy about the story that Jesus tells in today’s gospel reading. We can easily sympathize with the complaint of the workers who bemoan the fact that those who only worked an hour got the same wages as those who worked all day. Yet, whereas those workers were operating out of the category of justice, the employer was operating out of the category of generosity. He wasn’t unjust to those who worked all day; he paid them what he agreed with them. He was simply extremely generous to those who only worked an hour.
Perhaps Jesus was saying to us through this parable that God’s generosity cannot be contained within the categories of human justice; it explodes those categories. God does not deal with us according to our efforts, on the basis of what we deserve. There is nothing calculating about God’s generosity. Perhaps we are all encouraged to identify with those who worked only an hour; we are all, in a sense, latecomers. The parable assures us that God’s generosity will surprise us and leave us humbled.
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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: Aug 13 – St John Eudes, priest, religious founder,
John was born in Normandy (France) in 1601; died at Caen on this day in 1680. He was an Oratorian, active in preaching missions and in caring for the sick. He founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) and helped to begin a community of women religious (the Sisters of the Good Shepherd) to care for wayward women. He was noted also for his promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Patrick Duffy outlines his achievements.
St John Eudes preached vigorously against Jansenism in France and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary for the reform of the clergy. He also promoted devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Joins the Oratorians of France
John Eudes was born at Ri, Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601, the son of a farmer. He went to the Jesuit college at Caen when he was 14, and despite his parents' wish that he marry, joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France founded by Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle (1575-1629) in 1623. He studied at Paris and at Aubervilliers, was ordained in 1625, and worked as a volunteer, caring for the victims of the plagues that struck Normandy in 1625 and 1631. He spent the next ten years giving missions, and had a reputation as an outstanding preacher and confessor and for his opposition to Jansenism. He was named superior of the Oratorians at Caen.
[caption id="attachment_49920" align="alignright" width="204"]
The Sisters of Charity (Sisters of the Good Shepherd) were originally founded by St. John Eudes in 1651 to convert sinful women and care for orphans.[/caption]Starts a Refuge for 'fallen' Women
John Eudes became interested in the plight of 'fallen' women, and in 1644 founded a refuge for them in Caen. At first it was called the Work of our Lady of Charity (or of Refuge). This order had many difficulties in getting approval, but after many ups and downs it was re-founded at Angers, France in 1835 by St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier and became known as the Good Shepherd Sisters. The contemporary focus of their work is towards the human, social and spiritual development of women and girls. It aims to empower them, to enhance their dignity, support self-sufficiency, and build esteem in women and girls who have been excluded from the benefits of society. Today they number almost 4,000, and are present in 70 countries on five continents.
He founded the Congregation of Jesus & Mary (the Eudists)
John Eudes resigned from the Oratorians in 1643 and founded his own society, the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (CJM - the Eudists) at Caen, composed of secular priests not bound by vows, dedicated to the spiritual and doctrinal formation of priests and candidates to the priesthood, while pursuing the work of parish missions.
The Oratorians and the Jansenists opposed his congregation, and he was unable to obtain papal approval for it. However, in 1650 the Bishop of Coutances invited him to start a seminary in his diocese. John founded seminaries at Lisieux in 1653 and Rouen in 1659, although he was unsuccessful in a second attempt to secure papal approval for his congregation. However, he continued giving missions and established new seminaries at Evreux in 1666 and Rennes in 1670.
Devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
John Eudes shared with St. Mary Margaret Alacoque the honour of initiating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Heart of Mary. He composed the Mass for the Sacred Heart in 1668. He wrote works to popularise these devotions - The Devotion to the Adorable Heart of Jesus (1670) and The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God, which he finished a month before his death at Caen on August 19th.
The French Revolution
On the eve of the French Revolution (1789), Eudists directed some fifteen seminaries as well as a few colleges and parishes. The Revolution closed the houses and scattered the members. Four of them, including François-Louis Hébert, coadjutor to the Superior General, were martyred in Paris and beatified in 1926.
Restoration 1826
Slowly and with great difficulty, the Congregation was restored in 1826 by one of its former members, Father Pierre Blanchard. The Eudists then concentrated their efforts on the urgent task of providing Christian education in colleges. From 1883 on, the opening of several seminaries in Colombia made it possible for them to resume the traditional work of their society. In 1890, they settled in Canada.
Four Provinces Today
Today the Congregation of Jesus and Mary is organised in four provinces around the world, namely: the French Province (France, Ivory Coast, Bénin), the Colombian Province (Colombia, Ecuador), the North American Province (Canada, United States) and the Venezuelan Province.
******************************
Memorable Proverb for Today
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically.
Intelligence plus character— that is the goal of true education."
~ Martin Luther King Jr. ~
******************************
Liturgical Readings for: Wednesday, 19th August, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an Leabhar Ezícéal, Fáidh. 34: 1-11
Bainfidh mé na caoirigh díobh agus ní ligfidh mé dóibh mo chaoirigh a bheathú níos mó.
Tháinig briathar an Tiarna chugam:
“A mhic an duine, tairngir i gcoinne tréadaithe Iosrael. Tairngir agus abair leo, is é sin, leis na tréadaithe:
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna Dia:
Mairg do thréadaithe Iosrael a bheathaíonn iad féin! Nár chóir do thréadaithe an tréad a bheathú? Itheann sibhse an tsaill, gléasann sibh sibh féin le holann, maraíonn sibh an beithíoch biata, ach ní bheathaíonn sibh an tréad. Níor neartaigh sibh an t-easlán, níor leigheas an chaora thinn, níor cheangail sibh an bacach, níor thug ar ais an seachránaí, níor chuardaigh sibh an ceann a bhí caillte. Ba le láimh laidir throm a rialaigh sibh iad. De cheal tréadaí scaipeadh iad, ina
gcreach ag na hainmhithe allta. Scaipeadh mo chaoirigh, chuaigh siad ar seachrán ar an uile shliabh agus ar an uile chnoc ard; scaipeadh mo chaoirigh ar fud an domhain gan aon duine lena lorg nó lena gcuardach.“Dá bhrí sin, a thréadaithe, éistigí le briathar an Tiarna. Dar mo bheo
– an Tiarna Dia a labhraíonn – de bhrí go bhfuil mo chaoirigh mar chreach agus mar chothú ag na hainmhithe allta de cheal tréadaí, agus de bhrí nár bhac na tréadaithe leis na caoirigh a lorg, ach gur bheathaigh siad iad féin agus nár bheathaigh siad mo chaoirigh; dá bhrí sin uile, a thréadaithe, éistigí le briathar an Tiarna.
Seo mar a deir an Tiarna Dia:
Féach, tabharfaidh mé na tréadaithe chun cúitimh. Bainfidh mé na caoirigh díobh agus ní ligfidh mé dóibh mo chaoirigh a bheathú níos mó. Ní bheathóidh na tréadaithe iad féin ach oiread as seo amach; sábhálfaidh mé mo chaoirigh óna mbéal. Ní bheidh siad mar chreach le hithe acu a thuilleadh.
“Óir seo mar a deir an Tiarna Dia.
"Cuardóidh mé féin na caoirigh agus beidh a gcúram orm féin amháin."
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Freagra Is é a Tiarna m’aoire: ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
1. Is é an Tiarna m’aoire: ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Cuireann sé féin i mo luí mé i móinéar féir ghlais.
Seolann sé ar imeall an uisce mé mar a bhfaighim suaimhneas. Freagra
2. Seolann sé ar shlí na fíréantachta mé mar gheall ar a ainm.
Fiú dá siúlfainn i ngleann an dorchadais, níor bhaol liom an t-olc
agus tú faram le do shlat is do bhachall chun sólás a thabhairt dom. Freagra
3. Cóiríonn tú bord chun béile dom i láthair mo naimhde.
Ungann tú mo cheann le hola; tá mo chupa ag cur thairis. Freagra
4. Leanfaidh cineáltas is buanghrá mé gach lá de mo shaol;
i dteach an Tiarna a mhairfidh mé go brách na breithe. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Mhatha 20: 1-16 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Nó an ea go bhfuil do shúilse éadmhar de bhrí go bhfuilim féin maith
San am sin dúirt Íosa lena dheisceabail:
“Is iad dála ríocht na bhflaitheas mar a bhí ag fear tí a ghabh amach go moch ar maidin chun lucht oibre a fhostú i gcomhair a fhíonghoirt. Réitigh sé leis na fir oibre ar dhéanar sa lá agus sheol sé isteach ina fhíonghort iad. Nuair a chuaigh sé amach timpeall an tríú huair, chonaic sé daoine eile ina seasamh díomhaoin in áit an mhargaidh agus dúirt sé leo:
‘Isteach i m’fhíonghort libhse freisin, agus díolfaidh mé libh an pá ceart.’ Agus isteach leo.
Chuaigh sé amach arís timpeall an séú agus an naoú huair agus rinne sé an rud céanna.
Ach nuair a chuaigh sé amach timpeall an aonú huair déag, fuair sé tuilleadh acu ann agus dúirt leo:
Cad a d’fhág anseo ar feadh an lae sibh agus sibh díomhaoin?’
Dúirt siad: ‘Mar nár fhostaigh aon duine sinn.’
Dúirt sé leo: ‘Sibhse freisin, isteach san fhíonghort libh.’
Nuair a bhí an tráthnóna ann, dúirt úinéir an fhíonghoirt leis an mbainisteoir:‘Glaoigh ar na fir oibre agus tabhair dóibh a dtuarastal, siar ón dream déanach go dtí an dream is túisce a tháinig.’
Nuair a tháinig muintir an aonú huair déag, fuair siad déanar an duine. Agus shíl an chéad dream nuair a tháinig siad go bhfaighidís níos mó. Ach is déanar an duine a fuair siad sin féin. Agus nuair a fuair siad é, bhí siad ag monabhar ar fhear an tí:
‘An dream déanach seo,’ deiridís, ‘níor thug siad ach an t-aon uair amháin, agus chuir tú ar aon dul iad féin agus sinne a d’fhulaing ualach an lae agus an brothall.’
D’fhreagair sé duine acu á rá:
‘Nílim ag déanamh aon éagóra ort, a chara: nach ar dhéanar a réitigh tú liom? Tóg a bhfuil ag dul duit agus imigh. Ach is áil liomsa oiread a thabhairt don fhear deireanach seo agus a thugaim duit. An ea nach bhfuil cead agam mo rogha ní a dhéanamh le mo chuid féin? Nó an ea go bhfuil do shúilse éadmhar de bhrí go bhfuilim féin maith?’
Sin mar a bheidh a bhfuil ar deireadh ar tosach agus a bhfuil ar tosach ar deireadh.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
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
