FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Easter Time
The celebration of Easter is prolonged throughout the Easter season.
The fifty days from Easter Sunday (5th April 2026) to Pentecost Sunday (24th May 2026) are celebrated as one feast day, the "great Sunday".
CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!
Friday 8th May : Bl John Sullivan
Born in Eccles St., Dublin on 8 May 1861 and baptised in St. George's Church of Ireland, Temple St., and was brought up in the Christian tradition of his father. He went to Portora Royal School in Enniskillen and then studied classics and law at Trinity College, Dublin and at Lincoln's Inn, London. At the age of 35 he was received into the Roman Catholic Church and returned to Dublin, living a very simple life style. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1900, was ordained priest in 1907 and then spent the greater part of his life at Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare. His reputation for holiness and as a person of prayer spread rapidly and he was always available to the sick, the poor and anyone in need. He died 19 February 1933. His declaration as blessed on 13 May 2017 at St. Francis Zavier Church, Gardiner St., Dublin was the first ever beatification celebrated in Ireland. His beatification was fittingly ecumenical, with Cardinal Angelo Amato representing Pope Francis, and Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin joined by Church of Ireland Archbishop for Dublin Michael Jackson on the altar.
Friday 8th May is the anniversary of the election in 2025 (on the 2nd day of the Conclave) of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Supreme Pastor of the Church.
He took the name Pope Leo XIV.
Friday 8th May is the anniversary of the death of Cardinal Tomás O'Fiaich in 1990 (while in Lourdes with the Armagh Diocesan Pilgrimage).
Sunday 10th May : 6th Sunday of Easter
Through Baptism and Confirmation we have been given the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit who gave Christ the victory over the world. This Advocate is our support in the difficulties of life. The Spirit of truth convinces us of the meaning and value of the Christian way.
Tuesday 12th May : Ss Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras
Nereus and Achilleus were martyred in the year 304 under Diocletian. They were Roman soldiers who on conversion, refused further military service.
Pancras, a boy of fourteen, martyred in Rome in the same year.
Wednesday 13th May : Our Lady of Fatima
The apparitions to the three children of Fatima took place in the summer of 1917, beginning on 13 May when the "Lady" asked them to pray for sinners and an end to the World War. In the final apparition on 13 October, the "Lady" identified herself as Our Lady of the Rosary and called for prayer and conversion.
It was on this day in 1981, 45 years ago, when there was an attempt made on the life of Pope John Paul II.
Thursday 15th May : St. Matthias
Like the apostles, was chosen to become "a witness with us of Christ's resurrection". The story of his election as one of the apostles is given in the first reading. He seems to have spent a great deal of time working in Judea; then he travelled east to Cappadocia (now Turkey), where it is said that he was the vital instrument in bringing many pagans to the faith. He is said to have been martyred at Colchis on the Black Sea and his relics brought to Rome by St. Helena.
Friday 15th May : St. Carthage (or Mochuta)
Hailed from a rich family in Kerry. As he loved the chanting of the psalms, the local king arranged for him to become a priest. Having spent a year possibly at Bangor he founded his own monastery at Rahan in 595. It grew rapidly. However, opposition made him move southwards around 637. Along with hundreds of monks and their patients from the leper colony, he finally arrived at Lismore, where he made a foundation. He died in the year 638.
Saturday 17th May : St. Brendan
Born in Kerry in the year 486. He studied at Clonard under Finnian. His name is connected with many places in Kerry such as Ardfert and Mount Brandon. He visited Scotland and reached the Hebrides and possibly areas beyond. He founded a monastery on Clonfert in 568 and died there in 578.