Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Oct 25 - Bl Thaddeus MacCarthy (1455-92) bishop of Ross, Cork and Cloyne
Summary: Blessed Thaddeus Mc Carthy's This story of the North Cathedral in Cork is a kafkaesque tale of bungling and disappointment. Appointed bishop of Ross while working in Rome, Thaddeus arrived back in Ireland to find another bishop already in possession of his diocese. Matters were about to get a lot worse before they get better....
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Appointment and Consecration
Thaddeus MacCarthy was born in West Cork around 1455. He studied abroad, probably in Paris. After his ordination he went to Rome and was possibly working in the papal Curia when in 1482 at the age of 27 Pope Sixtus IV appointed him bishop of Ross. With a dispensation from the age impediment, he was consecrated by Archbishop Stephen of Antivari and two other bishops in the Church of Santo Stefano del Cacco, Rome.
Occupied See
Thaddeus travelled to Ireland only to find to his surprise that Ross already had a bishop, Hugh O'Driscoll, appointed nine years earlier by the same Pope and consecrated by the Archbishop of Cashel. O'Driscoll took the position that Thaddeus's claim was a political manoeuvre by the MacCarthy family against his own O'Driscoll family. There had been a long-standing feud between the two families.
Disputed Claims
In 1483 Bishop O'Driscoll went to Rome to denounce Thaddeus and Pope Sixtus IV accepted the legitimacy of O'Driscoll's appointment nine years earlier. He ordered MacCarthy to withdraw. Thaddeus was dissatisfied with the documentation when it arrived and continued to uphold his claim.
The following year Pope Sixtus IV died and his successor Pope Innocent VIII upheld O'Driscoll's claim, declaring that Thaddeus was not the bishop of Ross. Thaddeus now requested an independent enquiry to establish the facts. When this was complete, Innocent VIII declared O'Driscoll as legitimate bishop of Ross by prior appointment.
Bishop of Cork and Cloyne
However, some time later (1490) Innocent VIII appointed Thaddeus bishop of Cork & Cloyne, which had been united in 1429 and where the incumbent, Bishop William Roche, had voluntarily resigned in his favour. But when Thaddeus went to claim his diocese, he found the cathedral at Cork occupied by another claimant, Gerald Fitzgerald. Thaddeus set out to Rome again to have the issue finally sorted out. In a motu proprio dated 18th July 1492, Pope Innocent VIII clearly recognised him as the legitimate bishop of Cork & Cloyne.
Return Journey and Death
He set out on the return journey to Ireland on foot, travelling incognito along the pilgrims' route. While passing through Ivrea not far from Turin, he passed the night in a pilgrims' hospice. In the morning a brilliant light was seen shining from his room and, on investigation, it was found that Thaddeus had died during the night and the light, like flickering flames of a fire, shone from his body and the pallet where he lay.
Opening his travel bag, they discovered his episcopal insignia and the papal documents. News spread, crowds gathered, and several sick persons were miraculously cured. The bishop of Ivrea directed his body to be brought to the Cathedral where it lay in state for several days and was laid to rest in the cathedral of Ivrea under the altar of St Eusebius, where it still bears the inscription: Cava S. Eusebii et sepulcrum B. Taddei Ep. Hib.
Influence
Devotion to Thaddeus McCarthy grew in Ivrea. Over the years many miracles were attributed to his intercession. When his tomb was opened in 1742, three hundred years after his death, his body was found to be completely preserved. Pope Leo XIII beatified him on 14th September 1896.
The White Martyr of Munster"
Because of the patience with which he bore all the humiliations he suffered, Thaddeus is often referred to as "the white martyr of Munster".
There are relics in shrines dedicated to him in both St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh, and in the North Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne in Cork
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Appointment and Consecration
Thaddeus MacCarthy was born in West Cork around 1455. He studied abroad, probably in Paris. After his ordination he went to Rome and was possibly working in the papal Curia when in 1482 at the age of 27 Pope Sixtus IV appointed him bishop of Ross. With a dispensation from the age impediment, he was consecrated by Archbishop Stephen of Antivari and two other bishops in the Church of Santo Stefano del Cacco, Rome.Occupied See
Thaddeus travelled to Ireland only to find to his surprise that Ross already had a bishop, Hugh O'Driscoll, appointed nine years earlier by the same Pope and consecrated by the Archbishop of Cashel. O'Driscoll took the position that Thaddeus's claim was a political manoeuvre by the MacCarthy family against his own O'Driscoll family. There had been a long-standing feud between the two families.
Disputed Claims
In 1483 Bishop O'Driscoll went to Rome to denounce Thaddeus and Pope Sixtus IV accepted the legitimacy of O'Driscoll's appointment nine years earlier. He ordered MacCarthy to withdraw. Thaddeus was dissatisfied with the documentation when it arrived and continued to uphold his claim.
The following year Pope Sixtus IV died and his successor Pope Innocent VIII upheld O'Driscoll's claim, declaring that Thaddeus was not the bishop of Ross. Thaddeus now requested an independent enquiry to establish the facts. When this was complete, Innocent VIII declared O'Driscoll as legitimate bishop of Ross by prior appointment.
Bishop of Cork and Cloyne
However, some time later (1490) Innocent VIII appointed Thaddeus bishop of Cork & Cloyne, which had been united in 1429 and where the incumbent, Bishop William Roche, had voluntarily resigned in his favour. But when Thaddeus went to claim his diocese, he found the cathedral at Cork occupied by another claimant, Gerald Fitzgerald. Thaddeus set out to Rome again to have the issue finally sorted out. In a motu proprio dated 18th July 1492, Pope Innocent VIII clearly recognised him as the legitimate bishop of Cork & Cloyne.
Return Journey and Death
He set out on the return journey to Ireland on foot, travelling incognito along the pilgrims' route. While passing through Ivrea not far from Turin, he passed the night in a pilgrims' hospice. In the morning a brilliant light was seen shining from his room and, on investigation, it was found that Thaddeus had died during the night and the light, like flickering flames of a fire, shone from his body and the pallet where he lay.
Opening his travel bag, they discovered his episcopal insignia and the papal documents. News spread, crowds gathered, and several sick persons were miraculously cured. The bishop of Ivrea directed his body to be brought to the Cathedral where it lay in state for several days and was laid to rest in the cathedral of Ivrea under the altar of St Eusebius, where it still bears the inscription: Cava S. Eusebii et sepulcrum B. Taddei Ep. Hib.
Influence
Devotion to Thaddeus McCarthy grew in Ivrea. Over the years many miracles were attributed to his intercession. When his tomb was opened in 1742, three hundred years after his death, his body was found to be completely preserved. Pope Leo XIII beatified him on 14th September 1896.
The White Martyr of Munster"
Because of the patience with which he bore all the humiliations he suffered, Thaddeus is often referred to as "the white martyr of Munster".
There are relics in shrines dedicated to him in both St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh, and in the North Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne in Cork
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Memorable Quote for Today
Sometimes God's ways are not our ways.
They seem to us to be so unclear, even contradictory.
When this happens we still have to trust in His love for us.
~c/f Benny Hinn ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 25th October, 2026
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Exodus 22:20-26
If you are harsh with the widow or orphan; my anger will flare against you.
The Lord said to Moses, Tell the sons of Israel this,"You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt.
You must not be harsh with the widow, or with the orphan; if you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me, and be sure I shall hear their cry; my anger will flare and I shall kill you with the sword, your own wives will be widows, your own children orphans.
"If you lend money to any of my people, to any poor man among you, you must not play the usurer with him: you must not demand interest from him.
"If you take another's cloak as a pledge, you must give it back to him before sunset. It is all the covering he has; it is the cloak he wraps his body in; what else would he sleep in? If he cries to me, I will listen, for I am full of pity.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 17;2-4. 47. 51. R/v 2
Response I love you, Lord, my strength.
1. I love you, Lord, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my saviour.
My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.
The Lord is worthy of all praise: when I call I am saved from my foes. Response
2. Long life to the Lord, my rock! Praised be the God who saves me.
He has given great victories to his king and shown his love for his anointed. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 1:5-10
You broke with idolatry and became servants of God; you are now waiting for his Son.
You observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your
instruction, and you were led to become imitators of us, and of the Lord; and it was with the joy of the Holy Spirit that you took to the gospel, in spite of the great opposition all round you. This has made you the great example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread - and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
or Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 22:34-40 Glory to you, O Lord
'You must love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself.
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees they got together and,
to disconcert him, one of them put a question,
'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?'
Jesus said, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.'
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, 25th October, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Exodus 22:20-26
Má dhéanann tú iad a bhuaireamh agus godtagann a nglao chugam, éistfidh mé leo
Dúirt an Tiarna le Maois: Abair é seo le clann Isráel:Ná déan éagóir ar dheoraí ná leatrom, mar ba dheoraithe sibh féin i gcríocha na hÉigipte. Ná ciap baintreach ná dílleachta. Má dhéanann tú iad a bhuaireamh agus godtagann a nglao chugam, éistfidh mé leo, éistfead sin. Adhnfaidh m’fhearg agus maróidh mé sibh leis an gclaíomh, agus fágfar bhur mná gan chéile agus bhur gclann gan athair.
Má thugann tú iasacht airgid d’aon bhochtán de mo phobal le d’ais, ná himir cleas an úsaire air agus ná héiligh ús uaidh.
Má thogann tú riamh brat duine mar gheall tabhair ar ais dó é roimh luí na gréine;
óir sin a bhfuil aige d’éadach, sin é an brat a bhíonn faoina chorp aige, agus cad eile atá aige le codladh ann?
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 17;2-4. 47. 51. R/v 2
Freagra Mo ghrá thú, a Thiarna, mo neart thú.
I. Mo ghrá thú, a Thiarna, mo neart thú,
mo charraig thú, mo dhaingean is mo shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Mo Dhia thú, mo charraig, is mo dhídean;
mo sciath, adharc me shlánaithe, mo dhún.
Glaoim ar an Tiarna dar dleacht moladh
agus déantar mo shaoradh ó mo naimhdé. Freagra
3. Go maire an Tiarna! Is é mo charraig é!
Go raibh Dia mo shlánaitheoir á mhóradh.
Thug sé caithréimeanna dá Rí
agus nocht sé a ghrá dá Ungthach. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an céad litir Naomh Pól chuig na Teasalónaigh 1:5-10
Chun feitheamh lena Mhac Íosa a theacht ó na flaithis
A bhráithre, tá a fhios agaibhse mar a thugamar ár saol, fad a bhíomar in bhur measc,
mhaithe libh. Agus rinne sibhse aithris orainn agus ar an Tiarna, mar d’ainneoin gach anacra ghlac sibh leis an mbriathar uainn le lúcháir an Spioraid Naoimh, sa tslí go raibh sibh mar shampla ag a bhfuil de chreidmhigh sa Mhacadóin agus in Acháia. Mar is uaibhse amach a leath briathar Dé, agus ní sa Mhacadóin agus in Acháia amháin é, mar tá scéal bhur gcreidimh i nDia scaipthe san uile áit, i dtreo nach gá dúinne aon ní a rá faoi. Tá na daoine féin ag cur síos ar an bhfáilte a chuir sibh romhainn agus mar a chas sibh ar Dhia ó na déithe bréige chun dul ag seirbhís don fhíor Dhia beo agus chun feitheamh lena Mhac Íosa a theacht ó na flaithis – an Mac a thóg sé ó mhairbh agus atá dár bhfuascailt ón bhfearg atá le teacht.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Gniom 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Oscail ár gcroí, A Thiarna, Cun aird a thabhairt ar bhraithra do Mhic
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 22:34-40
Gráóidh tú do Thiarna Dia agus gráóidh tú do chomharsa mar thú féin
San am sin nuair a chuala na Fairisínigh nár fhág Íosa focal ag na Sadúcaigh, chruinnigh siad féin le chéile, agus duine acu, a bhí ina dhlíodóir, chuir sé ceist air ag baint trialach as:
“A Mháistir, cén aithne mhór sa dhlí?”
Dúirt sé leis:
“‘Gráóidh tú do Thiarna Dia ó do chroí go hiomlán agus
ó d’anam go hiomlán agus ó d’aigne go hiomlán’ –
is í sin an aithne mhór agus an phríomhaithne.
Agus is cosúil léise an dara ceann:
‘Gráóidh tú do chomharsa mar thú féin.’ Ag brath ar an dá aithne sin atá an dlí ar fad agus na fáithe.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 1st November, 2026
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Exodus 22:20-26
If you are harsh with the widow or orphan; my anger will flare against you.
The Lord said to Moses, Tell the sons of Israel this,"You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt.
You must not be harsh with the widow, or with the orphan; if you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me, and be sure I shall hear their cry; my anger will flare and I shall kill you with the sword, your own wives will be widows, your own children orphans.
"If you lend money to any of my people, to any poor man among you, you must not play the usurer with him: you must not demand interest from him.
"If you take another's cloak as a pledge, you must give it back to him before sunset. It is all the covering he has; it is the cloak he wraps his body in; what else would he sleep in? If he cries to me, I will listen, for I am full of pity.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 17;2-4. 47. 51. R/v 2
Response I love you, Lord, my strength.
1. I love you, Lord, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my saviour.
My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.
The Lord is worthy of all praise: when I call I am saved from my foes. Response
2. Long life to the Lord, my rock! Praised be the God who saves me.
He has given great victories to his king and shown his love for his anointed. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 1:5-10
You broke with idolatry and became servants of God; you are now waiting for his Son.
You observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your
instruction, and you were led to become imitators of us, and of the Lord; and it was with the joy of the Holy Spirit that you took to the gospel, in spite of the great opposition all round you. This has made you the great example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread - and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
or Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 22:34-40 Glory to you, O Lord
'You must love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself.
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees they got together and,
to disconcert him, one of them put a question,
'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?'
Jesus said, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.'
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, 1st November, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as leabhar Exodus 22:20-26
Má dhéanann tú iad a bhuaireamh agus godtagann a nglao chugam, éistfidh mé leo
Dúirt an Tiarna le Maois: Abair é seo le clann Isráel:Ná déan éagóir ar dheoraí ná leatrom, mar ba dheoraithe sibh féin i gcríocha na hÉigipte. Ná ciap baintreach ná dílleachta. Má dhéanann tú iad a bhuaireamh agus godtagann a nglao chugam, éistfidh mé leo, éistfead sin. Adhnfaidh m’fhearg agus maróidh mé sibh leis an gclaíomh, agus fágfar bhur mná gan chéile agus bhur gclann gan athair.
Má thugann tú iasacht airgid d’aon bhochtán de mo phobal le d’ais, ná himir cleas an úsaire air agus ná héiligh ús uaidh.
Má thogann tú riamh brat duine mar gheall tabhair ar ais dó é roimh luí na gréine;
óir sin a bhfuil aige d’éadach, sin é an brat a bhíonn faoina chorp aige, agus cad eile atá aige le codladh ann?
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 17;2-4. 47. 51. R/v 2
Freagra Mo ghrá thú, a Thiarna, mo neart thú.
I. Mo ghrá thú, a Thiarna, mo neart thú,
mo charraig thú, mo dhaingean is mo shlánaitheoir. Freagra
2. Mo Dhia thú, mo charraig, is mo dhídean;
mo sciath, adharc me shlánaithe, mo dhún.
Glaoim ar an Tiarna dar dleacht moladh
agus déantar mo shaoradh ó mo naimhdé. Freagra
3. Go maire an Tiarna! Is é mo charraig é!
Go raibh Dia mo shlánaitheoir á mhóradh.
Thug sé caithréimeanna dá Rí
agus nocht sé a ghrá dá Ungthach. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as an céad litir Naomh Pól chuig na Teasalónaigh 1:5-10
Chun feitheamh lena Mhac Íosa a theacht ó na flaithis
A bhráithre, tá a fhios agaibhse mar a thugamar ár saol, fad a bhíomar in bhur measc,
mhaithe libh. Agus rinne sibhse aithris orainn agus ar an Tiarna, mar d’ainneoin gach anacra ghlac sibh leis an mbriathar uainn le lúcháir an Spioraid Naoimh, sa tslí go raibh sibh mar shampla ag a bhfuil de chreidmhigh sa Mhacadóin agus in Acháia. Mar is uaibhse amach a leath briathar Dé, agus ní sa Mhacadóin agus in Acháia amháin é, mar tá scéal bhur gcreidimh i nDia scaipthe san uile áit, i dtreo nach gá dúinne aon ní a rá faoi. Tá na daoine féin ag cur síos ar an bhfáilte a chuir sibh romhainn agus mar a chas sibh ar Dhia ó na déithe bréige chun dul ag seirbhís don fhíor Dhia beo agus chun feitheamh lena Mhac Íosa a theacht ó na flaithis – an Mac a thóg sé ó mhairbh agus atá dár bhfuascailt ón bhfearg atá le teacht.Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Gniom 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Oscail ár gcroí, A Thiarna, Cun aird a thabhairt ar bhraithra do Mhic
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Matha 22:34-40
Gráóidh tú do Thiarna Dia agus gráóidh tú do chomharsa mar thú féin
San am sin nuair a chuala na Fairisínigh nár fhág Íosa focal ag na Sadúcaigh, chruinnigh siad féin le chéile, agus duine acu, a bhí ina dhlíodóir, chuir sé ceist air ag baint trialach as:
“A Mháistir, cén aithne mhór sa dhlí?”
Dúirt sé leis:
“‘Gráóidh tú do Thiarna Dia ó do chroí go hiomlán agus
ó d’anam go hiomlán agus ó d’aigne go hiomlán’ –
is í sin an aithne mhór agus an phríomhaithne.
Agus is cosúil léise an dara ceann:
‘Gráóidh tú do chomharsa mar thú féin.’ Ag brath ar an dá aithne sin atá an dlí ar fad agus na fáithe.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
